Marjon Professor earns highest level of recognition for teaching and learning

Released: 13.01.22

Provost and Professor of Education at Plymouth Marjon University and Marjon University Cornwall, Tanya Ovenden Hope, has earned the highest level of recognition from all three education sectors’ professional bodies in the UK. Professor Ovenden-Hope’s national and international contribution to teaching and learning through teacher education has benefitted teachers and trainee teachers in schools, colleges and universities. In November she was awarded Fellowship of the Chartered College of Teaching, adding the schools professional body recognition to that already achieved for colleges and universities.

Tanya, who leads Education Research at Marjon now holds the following awards:

Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) – university professional body

Fellow of the Society of Education (FSET) – colleges professional body

Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT) – schools professional body

The Fellow (and Principal Fellow) status that Tanya has been awarded is challenging to attain and highly valued in each of the education sectors. To be awarded this Fellowship ‘hat trick’ demonstrates a lifelong commitment to improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning through teacher education for schools, colleges and universities.

Professor Ovenden-Hope founded Marjon University Cornwall in 2018. She has quickly established the centre, which is based at the Old Cathedral School in Truro, as a postgraduate level centre of excellence for education professionals. There are over 30 Master’s level students studying on programmes that include the MA Education and MA Education Leadership. Professor Ovenden-Hope also works with educational organisations to develop customised postgraduate education courses, such as the Postgraduate Certificate for Governance in Schools and the Professional Diploma in Leading Coaching and Mentoring in Schools. These courses are also available for any education provider in Cornwall to use.

Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Ian Luke, says: “Tanya is rightly known as a leading academic for education both nationally and internationally. Her experience and knowledge across all education sectors is phenomenal but it is her approach to her work that sets her apart.

“She is incredibly passionate that education is for everyone and no-one should be disadvantaged in either accessing and experiencing high quality education.”

Tanya has lived and worked in Cornwall for over 30 years. She is an experienced teacher, teacher educator, education leader, author and education researcher, focusing on teacher recruitment and retention, and educationally isolated schools. Tanya leads Education Research at Plymouth Marjon University and is Director of the Context, Agency, Place and Education (CAPE) Research and Knowledge Exchange Group. She uses her roles at the University to develop transformative education locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Professor Ovenden-Hope responded to this recognition, saying: “Working within and across all of our education sectors in the UK has given me a unique and privileged perspective on teaching and learning. I have been able to observe and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for supporting and developing teachers in different contexts. I have used what I have learned to shape teacher programmes, contribute to policy from schools to the DfE level and, I hope, make a positive difference to the teaching and learning that both teachers and their students experience.”

Last year, Marjon was ranked 1^st in the UK for education courses in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021, run by Advance HE. Find out more here