The University recently welcomed Dawn Haywood, CEO of Windsor Academy Trust and proud Fellow of the University, for a visit.
Dawn Haywood, CEO of Windsor Academy Trust, was given a tour of the University by Vice Chancellor Professor David Green CBE DL
Growing up in Clifton-upon-Teme and still calling Worcester home, Ms Haywood has witnessed first-hand the University’s impact on the City. “It’s really impressive to see how it has developed,” she said. “I think it has transformed the City in a really positive way.”
During her visit, Ms Haywood explored the University’s newest developments at the Severn Campus, including cutting-edge healthcare simulation facilities and specialist sports performance labs. The Severn Campus has transformed a former industrial estate in the City into a thriving space for health and wellbeing education. She also visited the University’s Art House and its state-of-the-art mock court rooms.
“The facilities are just fantastic, and show how innovative the University has been,” she said.
As CEO of Windsor Academy Trust, which supports more than 10,000 learners across 15 schools, Ms Haywood is passionate about raising aspirations. The Trust hosts residential summer schools at the University, giving pupils a taste of university life and inspiring them to aim higher.
“For some children who face the greatest barriers, it’s wonderful for them to get the opportunity to come to the University and meet other people and be inspired,” she explained.
She added: “Our aim is to help our pupils discover their dreams and then support them to achieve them.”
The University also works closely with the Trust to deliver its Ofsted Outstanding teacher training programmes.
“The University is doing an amazing job inspiring and developing our future educators, including in the Early Years,” she said.
“What is really lovely for me is to see our pupils coming to study at the University and then returning to us as educators –that cyclical relationship is so powerful.”