Huddersfield alumnus returns to the campus after 30 years

Sir Peter Birkett completed his Certificate of Education in 1984

ONE of the UK’s most innovative educationalists – whose latest project harnesses nature to aid the schooling of special needs pupils – has said how his life and career were changed by studies at the University of Huddersfield.

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But when he returned for the first time in more than 30 years, Sir Peter Birkett confessed that he was amazed at the transformation that had taken place on the campus and by the diversity and quality of the courses.

Knighted in 2012 for his services to further education and the academy movement, Sir Peter currently heads the consultancy named p5e, which offers to turn around failing schools and colleges.  He is also the founder of Highgate Hill House School in Devon, which caters for pupils aged 5-16 who have learning difficulties.

Before this, he was principal of the Barnfield Federation of academies in Luton.

Sir Peter is Scunthorpe-born and served his time as an apprentice engineer.  During a spell in Australia and on his return to the UK he discovered a passion for lecturing on engineering and in order to gain a teaching qualification he enrolled at what was then Huddersfield Polytechnic, achieving his Certificate in Education in 1984.  He then embarked on a career in education that saw him becoming an increasingly prominent figure in the field.

Commenting on his course at Huddersfield, he said: “It changed my life.”

Sir Peter was speaking when he paid a return visit to the University that included a campus tour and talks with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan.

Highgate Hill House School – which Sir Peter founded a year ago – has innovative features.  It stands amid woodland, enabling a style of education that Sir Peter describes as the Forest Learning Technique.

We are using nature to help children flourish and thrive.  We do lots of work around water, trees and animals, but we are also combining 3D digital technology to help the children with their issues

Sir Peter

These issues include conditions such as autism, severe dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“Since finishing my CertEd at Huddersfield I have always been involved with helping young people from disadvantaged areas.  That’s always been my goal,” said Sir Peter.  “If something’s not working properly I want to make it work, such as special needs education. 

“There are children who can’t exist in mainstream schools.  They need special assistance to learn and thrive, so what we are trying to do at Highgate Hill House is create something that’s totally unique, using the natural environment and high-quality technology to motivate them.”