Dr Jane Doughty awarded an Honorary Doctorate from University of Northampton

Dr Jane Doughty, a pioneer in education, has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Northampton at today’s Summer Graduation ceremony.

Jane was presented with her award by Dr Helen Scott, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities and joined the rest of the graduating students in celebration.

In recent years, Jane’s work has focused on improving pupil outcomes through designing, developing, and delivering leadership development, evaluation work and influencing government policy.

For example, for the National College for Teaching and Leadership, she designed the structure, content and qualifications for a new ‘Leadership Curriculum’ for all school leaders – middle leaders, senior leaders and those aspiring to be head teachers.

Jane has advised international groups including leaders from India, Taiwan, Zambia and Thailand, to name a few, to adapt the National Professional Qualification for Headship programme for different countries’ contexts; she has been responsible for many leadership projects over the years, such as the review and development of National Standards for Head teachers in 2003/2004.

Prior to her work for the National College, Jane worked as Senior Inspector with the Northamptonshire Inspection and Advisory Centre, an Ofsted inspector and she was the Head teacher of Duston Upper School for 10 years.

She received a well-deserved CBE in 2014 for her services to education through her role as Director: Design and Development of leadership programmes at the National College.

When receiving her award Jane said: “I am delighted and humbled to receive an Honorary Doctorate. We all like to be acknowledged for the contributions we have made, especially from a university I have lived close to for 20 years.”

Dr Helen Scott said: “It was a pleasure to recommend the award to Dr Jane Doughty and have the opportunity to meet a local individual who has had such a positive impact in the field of education. Jane has achieved a great deal working directly with teachers and pupils as a head teacher and teacher herself, and indirectly through her work on the NPQH, a professional development programme undertaken by many head teachers.”