Winchester School of Art interim head honoured for work in education

Professor Sir William Taylor CBE, who has been interim head of Winchester School of Art since April, has been honoured by the University of Leicester.

He was given an honorary award of Doctor of Letters at a graduation ceremony this week to recognise his achievements in the field of education.

Winchester School of Art was founded in 1842 and is renowned for its work in Fine Art, Textiles, Fashion and related disciplines. It merged with the University in 1996. Sir William, who lives in Winchester, is a visiting Professor and member of the University's Court. He is also chair of the Learning and Skills Council's Strategic Area Review of 16+ education and training in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and is a specialist adviser to the House of Commons Committee on Education and Skills.

He started his career as a primary school teacher and after appointments at the University of Oxford and as a Professor at the University of Bristol, Sir William became Director of the University of London Institute of Education, Principal of the University of London and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull. He then served as Interim Vice Chancellor of two other universities. He has been President or Chairman of many national and international organisations in the field of education, chaired the Universities UK review of higher education funding in 2000-2002 and has been awarded honorary doctorates by sixteen UK universities.

Sir William said. "I am delighted to become an honorary graduate of the University of Leicester, I know its present and former staff have made many important contributions to research and teaching in education."