Geraldine Keegan

Last updated

Dame Geraldine Keegan (born 1941 [1] ) is a Northern Irish former headteacher, former teacher and former academic.

Contents

Background

Keegan was born in January 1941. [1] Keegan spent at least part of her childhood in Aghadowey, County Londonderry. She attended Thornhill College, St Mary’s University College, Belfast, the University of Ulster, the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester. [2]

Career

Keegan began her teaching career as a teacher of history, English and music. [3] As of 1982, Keegan was Lecturer in Education at St Mary's Training College, Belfast. [4]

In 1987, Keegan became the headteacher of St Mary's College, Derry. She served as headteacher of the school until 2006. [2] While Keegan was headteacher of St Mary's College, Derry, pupils' examination results improved considerably. [5] As of 2000, the school was noted for creating cross-community links. [6] As of 2003, the school's pupils achieved much higher grades in their exams than comparable schools, and the school had received several awards for its curriculum and the European Quality award. [7] In a 2004 interview, Keegan described how members of the local community were volunteering to be classroom helpers at the school, and described the school's extensive extracurricular offering to pupils. [8] During Keegan's time in charge of St Mary's College, Derry, the school received the award twice, and as of 2008 the school was the only public sector body to have received the award twice. [9]

Following Keegan's retirement from the headship of St Mary's College, Derry, she continued to speak at conferences around the world. [10]

In 1997, Keegan took up the position of pro-vice-chancellor of Ulster University. [3] In 2002, she became a Visiting Professor at the University. [11]

Keegan's holding of positions within larger education-related bodies has included several senior positions. As of 2003, she was a member of the Board of Investors in People UK. [12] She is a member of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools in Northern Ireland. [13] As of 2012, she was a member of the Board of National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. [14] As of 2013, she was a member of the advisory committee of Talent Tribe. [15]

Honours

Keegan was awarded an OBE in 1995 for her work within education. [16]

In 2000, Keegan was awarded a knighthood for her work within education. [17]

In 2006, she received an honorary doctorate from Ulster University. [18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dame Geraldine Mary Marcella KEEGAN personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  2. 1 2 "Re-appointment of three Board Members to the Board of Ilex URC". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2013-07-04. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  3. 1 2 "Heads first in the line for gongs | Tes Magazine". www.tes.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  4. McKay, Russell; Keegan, Geraldine (1982-06-01). "The Instructional Supervision Training Programme as an Element in Tutor Training". British Journal of In-Service Education. 8 (3): 168–176. doi:10.1080/0305763820080307. ISSN   0305-7631.
  5. Brennan, Denise (2019-09-16). "St. Mary's College Marking 60 Years At The Heart Of Derry's Community | Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy" . Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  6. "BBC News | EDUCATION | Honours success for education". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  7. "We got dames | Tes Magazine". www.tes.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  8. "St Mary's is a real adacemic success story". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2004-06-08. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  9. "Annual Conference 2018" (PDF). Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust. 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  10. Philip, Pramod (January 2007). "A keynote from the Minister of State". Higher Education Funding Council for England. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  11. "Another honour for Derry principal". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2006-07-10. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  12. "Public Bodies - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  13. "Council Members". Council For Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS). Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  14. "public-bodies-annual-report-2011-2012". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  15. "Performing Arts: Briefing from The Talent Tribe". www.niassembly.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  16. "Northwest focus: Dame Geraldine joins Investor ambassadors". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2003-08-24. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  17. "Creggan college's head is now a Dame". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2000-06-17. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  18. "Pop Idol, peer and Dame pick up degrees". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2006-07-10. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-08-23.