OBE For Former Harborough Schools’ Leader

The founding leader of a Market Harborough-based primary schools’ trust has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Dr Stef Edwards, who retired from the Learn Academies Trust last year, has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to education.

Stef started teaching in 1986, specialising in primary English and worked in Sheffield and Leicestershire, before becoming headteacher at Great Bowden Church of England Primary school in 2006.

Stef Edwards

Stef was instrumental in bringing together seven local primary schools to establish Learn Academies Trust in 2016 and went on to lead the Trust as CEO for eight years, as it became one of the biggest multi-academy trusts in the country.

She said: “I am truly delighted to have been nominated for this honour, and I thank everyone who has supported me.

“I am very proud to have played my part in primary education and in Learn-AT’s story.

“It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with the most fantastic team of trustees and colleagues, who continue the important work of building a brilliant organisation of integrity, with strong values founded on learning and fellowship.

“Their professionalism and commitment make a difference to children’s futures.

Jeremy Benson, Learn-AT Chair of Trustees, said: “Everyone who knows Stef and what she has done for education will have been thrilled to learn of her much-deserved honour.

“Her commitment, compassion and integrity come through in everything she does, and were an essential part of building Learn-AT into the force for good it is today.

“She never forgot that children and learning were at the centre of our mission. On behalf of Learn-AT’s Trustees and staff, I’d like to offer Stef my warmest congratulations.”