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Honorary Fellow, 1995
Bio | Citation

After graduating from Durham University, Mike Sharp began his career as a teacher in Yorkshire's West Riding. He moved to Cambridge and soon established the country's first residential centre for adults and children with learning disabilities. He returned to Durham to complete a piece of postgraduate research, then in 1967 was appointed as lecturer at Bede College. In 1970 he moved into education administration, rising to the post of Deputy Chief Education Officer for Somerset. Mike then moved to Essex where he was to play a key role in the technical and vocational initiative in schools. He was appointed Chief Education Officer for Essex in 1989 and went on to successfully manage a very turbulent period in the development of education within the region. During his time as Chief Education Officer he was an enthusiastic supporter of this institution's campaign to be recognised as a Polytechnic.

In 1995 Mike Sharp was made an Honorary Fellow of the University

Areas Of Interest: Education
Faculty: Health, Social Care & Education
Citation:

"The Senate of Anglia Polytechnic University has great pleasure in awarding Mike Sharp an Honorary Fellowship of the University.

Mike Sharp is a graduate of the University of Durham who began his career as a grammar school teacher in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He moved to Cambridgeshire to continue his teaching career with pupils with learning difficulties and set up the county's first residential centre for adults and young people. He became the centre's founder warden and, during a period of secondment, returned to the University of Durham to engage in research.

From 1967-70 Mike was a lecturer in Education at Bede College and from there moved into education administration in Somerset where he worked for 9 years and rose to the post of Deputy Chief Education Officer.

From 1980-89 he held the Deputy's post in Essex. He worked with the county's secondary schools in the often-painful process of cutting surplus places and creating a more efficient system. This included VIth Form Colleges and Tertiary Colleges and he ensured that VIth forms in schools became larger, provided more choice and rose in quality to achieve the standards which place Essex schools among some of the best in the country. He was much concerned with the quality of the whole school curriculum and masterminded the technical and vocational initiative (TVEI) in schools.

From 1989 until his retirement earlier this year, Mike was the Chief Education Officer for the county. This was a particularly turbulent period of government reform and new legislation. He was successful in ensuring that the Department of Education at County Hall coped successfully with the changes, adapted to the introduction of Grant Maintained Schools and competed effectively with the private sector in selling its services.

During these difficult times a Chief Education Officer with less vision and generosity of spirit could have been forgiven for viewing the county's newly independent higher education institution with suspicion. But Mike Sharp's support for the Vice Chancellor, governors, staff and students of the University was consistent and enthusiastic.

His work on behalf of Anglia's campaign to be recognised as a Polytechnic was especially significant. This, in turn, led to the granting of a charter and the achievement of University status. We acknowledge the part he played in bringing Anglia closer to the Further Education Colleges which are now its regional partners. We are grateful for his support for the University's regional mission.

The University's Department of Education was proud to have the County Education Officer's friendship and his public support for its efforts to diversify its provision, widen access and develop new routes into the teaching profession.

The Honorary Fellowship is awarded by the Senate in recognition of Mike Sharp's contribution to the development of this University and is a token of our gratitude."

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The 2013 Graduation Ceremony dates can be found here

2013 ceremony dates