THE FIRST graduates of Marjon University Cornwall’s Masters degrees in Education have said a fond farewell to their tutors after two years of study.

The university opened its doors to its first MA Education and MA Education Leadership students in September 2018.

The first intake of students – all experienced teachers from local primary, secondary and sixth form settings - shared a desire to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of educational research.

Marjon University Cornwall Provost, Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope, who established the programme, said: “All of the graduating Class of 2020 have done so well, achieving high quality distinction or merit grades. They’ve maintained their responsibilities as teachers and education leaders, while studying for their Master’s degree.

“This is no easy feat and they should be congratulated for their dedication and commitment to their own professional learning, which will most certainly benefit their school, Multi Academy Trusts, and in several cases the wider education community”.

Some of the Class of 2020 are now in the process of progressing to a PhD.

“The students were, without exception, enthusiastic about the benefit of their research findings to their pupils, colleagues, settings and even education policy makers,” Professor Ovenden-Hope continued.

“They have started to publish their findings within their trusts, in the Times Educational Supplement (TES) and journals.”

Among the first cohort to gain the Masters was headteacher at Charlestown Primary, Mark Clustom.

He said: “26 years after completing my degree I wanted to deepen my knowledge and understanding alongside developing an area of school improvement. The support from the tutors, the materials and the taught modules were challenging but enjoyable on the MA Education Leadership course.

“The school has benefitted from my work and I’m seriously considering continuing my research.”

Marjon University Cornwall is based in Truro. It offers postgraduate professional development programmes designed to meet the needs of Cornwall’s teachers and leaders.

In mid October, a new postgraduate programme, Leading Coaching and Mentoring in Schools, funded by the Truro Diocese Board of Education will begin.