Inspirational Trio on New Year Honours List
Including CBEs for Fulham headteacher and H&F's Director of Children's Services
Three of Hammersmith and Fulham's most inspirational people have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.
The three are Fulham headteacher Seamus Oates, H&F Council's Director of Children’s Services Clare Chamberlain and Profesor Andrew George, who was honoured for his work as chair of the Hammersmith Research Ethics Committee.
Seamus Oates, chief executive of the Bridge and Courtyard academies in Fulham, received a CBE. The academies educate and support young people who struggle in mainstream schools.
Seamus now runs 11 academies which grew from the success of the Bridge Academy in Fulham's Finlay Street, together making up the TBAP Multi-Educational Trust.
Seamus is a National Leader of Education who support other schools to improve, and sits on the North West London and South Central England Headteachers’ Board as well as the Youth Justice Board. He has contributed to several national reviews, including Dame Sally Coates’ review of prison education.
He said the award is not just a reflection of his efforts but the life changing work of all the staff and students.
"This award honours their enthusiasm, dedication and determination to succeed," he said. " "Their hard work ensures that every young person reaches their full potential and this continues to inspire me each and every day."
Clare Chamberlain was also recognised with a CBE for her role overseeing support and opportunities for young people. Ms Chamberlain has led work on Focus on Practice, a programme to enhance the skills of children’s social workers and develop more effective help for families
She said: "I feel very fortunate to have been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours, but I feel that the award also honours the hard work and commitment of the teams of social workers who are dedicated to helping children and their families.
"I’ve been a social worker for 35 years and it’s great to see our profession getting this recognition."
Professor Andrew George, who today is
deputy vice-chancellor of Brunel University
was made an MBE. He was a member of the Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea and Acton Hospitals Research Ethics Committee from 1998 – 2010, a committee which he also chaired for ten years.
He currently chairs the National Research Ethics Advisors’ Panel (NREAP), a national panel that helps research ethics committees deliver robust, consistent and fair decisions, and advises the HRA on ethical issues.
He said: "I am pleased and delighted to have received this honour, not least for the recognition this brings for the many volunteers that support the research ethics system across the country by serving on research ethics committees.
"Their dedication and hard work – which is not often recognised or known about – is key to protecting research subjects while ensuring that good quality, ethical research can take place. This award is as much for them as it is for me personally."
He added: " I have really enjoyed my time as part of the research ethics service, as a member and chair of a REC and as Chair of NREAP. I have made many friends through the REC system, and have learned a lot from the different backgrounds and approaches that people bring to knotty and complex problems.
"I have enjoyed the intellectual and ethical challenges that are raised in ethical review, and have also taken pride in seeing ethical research that we have facilitated make a difference to patients."
January 5, 2017
for his work as chair of the Hammersmith Research Ethics Committee. He carried out the role for 10 years and now chairs the national body which oversees NHS ethics committees across the country.
“We are extremely proud to have such truly inspirational people in Hammersmith & Fulham who make such a significant difference to the borough and beyond,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, H&F Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion.”
“It is wonderful to see them recognised in the New Year’s Honours list and we offer congratulations to them all.”