Executive Head at Abbots Bromley School, Mrs Victoria Musgrave has had the great honour of been invited to have tea with the Queen in June this year at a Royal Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace.
Mrs Musgrave has led Abbots Bromley School in Staffordshire for the past six months and has been in education for over 30 years both as a Principal/Headteacher and as a consultant for ASCL. Her invitation has come from The Department of Education Honours Team as a mark of their “thanks for her services to education” which has been recognised in her invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party.
Mrs Musgrave joined Abbots Bromley School, from her role as Senior Professional Fellow in Educational Leadership at Liverpool Hope University. Mrs Musgrave has held 4 headships in her career including two years as Head of a high performing Woodard School in Greater Manchester; a School which she maintains strong links with. From 2000 to 2006, Mrs Musgrave was Principal at Wymondham College, Britain’s largest state Boarding School. During this time (2005) she was seconded to take a Thetford School out of special measures and spent a further five years at Principal of Wymondham High Academy until her early retirement 1.1.2013.
Mrs Musgrave also works as both an Independent Consultant and for her professional association ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders) running leadership courses for aspirant school leaders, those preparing for leadership roles in schools (both independent and state) and delivering bespoke courses tailored to meet the individual needs of educational professionals.
In 2007 when she was leading Crompton House C of E High School, Oldham, Mrs Musgrave was invited to 10 Downing Street to meet Tony Blair as one of Britain’s top Heads in the UK and considers it a great honour and privilege to have now been invited to this most prestigious event.
“The letter from the Honours Team came as a complete surprise to me, in the Christmas post. I was delighted of course, but still believe that whilst I have a real passion for young people and their learning, this accolade is largely a testament to the hard work of the very many colleagues and students I have worked with over the years.
I am guessing that I owe this privilege in a very large part to my work in Norfolk schools where I spent 12 very happy years as Principal of two of the finest secondary schools in the County. I still have a house in Wymondham and serve as a Trustee for the Diocese of Norfolk Education and Academies Trust and Norfolk will always hold a special place in my heart. Two of my four children were educated at Wymondham College and whilst the educational landscape of Norfolk has been under the microscope recently, I know for a fact that an enormous amount of hard work, commitment and professionalism exists within the schools in the County. The current work I am doing in Staffordshire is exciting and challenging and still allows me day to day contact with youngsters; something I love.” commented Mrs Musgrave.
Every summer, Her Majesty the Queen hosts a number of Royal Garden Parties where guests have the rare chance to see the Royal family, whilst enjoying tea in the beautiful gardens at Buckingham Palace. The garden parties are held to recognise and reward outstanding public service.