Nearly 20 individuals from Somerset have been honoured in the King’s New Year Honours List, recognising their outstanding contributions across various fields. Among the distinguished recipients is Dr Steve Taylor, a school leader from Nailsea, who received a knighthood for his exceptional work in education.
As CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), Dr Taylor has overseen remarkable growth, expanding the trust from 12 to 35 schools, including seven in North Somerset, seven in South Somerset, and 13 in Bristol. Under his leadership, schools that once struggled have blossomed into thriving centers of learning.
Reflecting on his accolade, Dr Taylor said: “Since learning of this award, I have been reminded of all the incredible colleagues within the Cabot Learning Federation and the wider education sector whose dedication has inspired me throughout the years. Any achievement I’ve reached is the result of teamwork and collaboration with these brilliant professionals. I am deeply grateful for this honour and look forward to celebrating it with both my colleagues and family, whose support has been invaluable.”
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A government spokesperson highlighted Dr Taylor’s credentials as an Honorary Doctorate holder in Education, Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, trained Lead Ofsted Inspector, and National Leader of Education. His pioneering initiatives include founding and chairing the Queen Street Group, which promotes collaboration among education trusts and supports the professional development of senior leaders. He also launched the Boolean Maths Hub and established the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance, forming partnerships that tackle educational inequality across 750 schools in the South West while providing outstanding teacher training.
Just beyond Somerset’s borders, Professor Sonia Blandford from Corsham was honoured with the title Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her transformative work in encouraging children to read. She inspired 15,000 young readers through the “200 million minutes reading challenge,” leaving a lasting impact on literacy.
The government recognized Professor Blandford as the founder and former CEO of Achievement for All 3As, an organisation that improves outcomes for young people through school and college partnerships. She contributed as a European expert to policy development on teacher professional growth and chaired committees that aligned master’s degree qualifications across Europe. Additionally, her establishment and advisory roles in numerous charities, including Teach First, have championed social mobility and enhanced teacher education nationwide.
These honours underscore the dedication and influence of Somerset’s education leaders, whose work continues to inspire communities and shape the future of learning.