Bradford College

Baroness Eaton Visits College

 Baroness Margaret Eaton visited Bradford College to speak to students studying on the B.A. (Hons) programme in Public Service Management, following an invitation by Lecturer Paul Spencer.

The former Bradford Council leader was delighted to accept the invitation - and is well known for her passion for education.  She began her career working as a school teacher, rising through the ranks, before being elevated to the House of Lords in recognition of her service to local government.

Baroness Eaton, who already has an OBE and was made a Dame Commander in 2009’s New Year Honours List, was greeted by Bradford College Principal and Chief Executive Michele Sutton, OBE and Lecturer Paul Spencer during the trip to the College.

The visit arose following an assignment Public Services Lecturer Paul set for his students based on a Report Baroness Eaton wrote relating to the governments education policy and the role of the local government association (LGA). Elaborating further, Paul said: “I set my class an assignment to review the Government White Paper - ‘The Importance of Teaching’.  I then asked them to compare and contrast it to a report ‘Local Freedom or Central Control’ which was produced by Baroness Eaton, on behalf of the LGA in response to the White Paper.”

Paul a former Police Detective Inspector, has also worked in collaboration with Bradford College lecturer Nosheen Qamer to create an innovative Foundation Degree in Voluntary and Community Sector Management – the first of its kind in the country! 

During her presentation, Baroness Eaton outlined the government’s strategy and plans for schools and education. During the lively debate, students heard how Government research revealed that the standard of education in the UK had not kept pace with some other countries across the globe. 

Elaborating further Paul said: “In particular, Finland, South Korea and Canada had superseded the standard of education in the UK.  Researchers discovered that the issues contributing to this national decline could be attributed to a number of factors such as: student behaviour, lack of leadership and the status of teachers”. 

Commenting on the success of the visit and the impact Baroness Eaton had on the students, Paul reflected: “Our students have benefitted substantially from the visit.  It’s given them a unique insight in to the workings of local government - in particular surrounding the theme of education.”

Baroness Eaton is Chairman of the Local Government Association and is a former Chairman of the Conservative Councillors’ Association. She led Bradford Council from 2000 to 2006 and still represents the Bingley Rural ward as a Conservative councillor.

Following the success of the visit, Paul now has plans to take future students to the Houses of Parliament. Paul concluded: “I think it’s important for the students to gain first hand experience of the places we talk about in class to enrich their student experience.” Paul smiled and added: “We may even pay a visit to Baroness Eaton!”