Simon Gallacher, Director of the Catholic Schools Partnership Teaching School Alliance and a former trainee teacher at Leeds Trinity University, has received Honorary Fellowship at Leeds Trinity University today (Friday 19 July).

Simon received his award at a Graduation ceremony on campus this morning, alongside students from the University's Primary Education degree.

Since graduating from Leeds Trinity - or Trinity and All Saints College as it was then - in 2000 and taking a year out as President of the Students' Union, Simon has held numerous teaching positions at schools across Leeds and Bradford. Within five years of graduating he held his first Assistant Head role, became Deputy Head three years later and aged 34 years, he became Headteacher.

In 2016 he became Director of the Catholic Schools Partnership Teaching School Alliance - a collaboration of 20 schools established to train the next generation of teachers, support current teachers and provide the best education. As Director, Simon now teaches the teachers. He supports training programmes for trainees, delivers CPD and develops career pathways for NQTs and early year professionals.

As an alumnus of Leeds Trinity, Simon has always felt an affiliation to the University. He maintains close links with the Institute of Childhood and Education and provides mentoring to undergraduate Primary Education students. He's welcomed Leeds Trinity graduates as teachers at his schools and is proud that many of the Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers within the Partnership are Leeds Trinity graduates.

On receiving Honorary Fellowship to the University, Simon said: "To continue my affiliation with Leeds Trinity in this way is a real honour, and I'm delighted to have received this award today.

"Listening to the citation made me reflect on why I came into teaching, and why the undergraduate Primary Education students at graduation today will be pursuing a career in teaching. You do it for the love of the job, to change the world for each and every child in your care, and to make a difference. I hope that the students graduating today know that they will become an inspiration to their pupils, just as our teachers did to us."

Professor Margaret A House OBE, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said:

"It is an absolute pleasure to present Simon with an Honorary Fellowship today. He has maintained close links with the institution since he graduated almost 20 years ago and continues to offer his support to our students and our University. He is an advocate for teacher education and we are delighted to be awarding him Honorary Fellowship today."

Simon received his Honorary Fellowship from Ed Anderson, Pro-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University. He is one of six outstanding individuals in their fields receiving Honorary Fellowships from Leeds Trinity University this week. Other recipients include Priest and broadcaster Reverend Kate Bottley, entrepreneur Ben Lawton, Professor Edward Spiers, journalist Hannah Thaxter and Screen Yorkshire CEO Sally Johnson.