New Year honour for the NCETM’s John Westwell

The NCETM is delighted to announce that our Director for System Leadership, John Westwell, has been awarded an MBE for services to education in the King’s New Year Honours List.

John joined the NCETM in 2012, working for consortium partner MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry), initially as Director for Secondary. Shortly after, he stepped into the role of Director for System Leadership. In 2013, John developed the concept of Maths Hubs as a vehicle to deliver maths professional development, which could be system led — by teachers for teachers. Since the Maths Hubs Programme launched in 2014, he has supported its success with visionary leadership, guiding its growth from initial idea to a nationwide initiative, with 40 Maths Hubs directly supporting almost 60% of schools in England. Now in its tenth year, the programme offers over 30 fully-funded professional development opportunities for teachers of maths from Early Years to post-16.

John’s dedication to improving maths education is the culmination of a career spanning several decades in education. Starting as a mathematics teacher and subject leader, John went on to roles as an adviser, initial teacher trainer, and advocate for professional development through Networked Learning Communities, the GTC’s Teacher Learning Academy and the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). Alongside his professional achievements, John has contributed as a school governor in his hometown of Bury, including serving as Chair of Governors at St John with St Mark’s CE Primary School.

Reflecting on his award, John said:

‘I am delighted to receive this honour and grateful for the many opportunities I’ve had throughout my career. Working on the Maths Hubs Programme has been especially rewarding, as it has allowed me to collaborate with dedicated leaders and teachers across the country, all striving to improve pupils’ maths education.’

Charlie Stripp, Director of the NCETM, congratulates John on this well-earned honour:

‘John’s award is richly deserved. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the Maths Hubs Programme into a critical component of the national maths education system.

'John has been the architect behind the development of the national network of 40 Maths Hubs, supporting maths education in all parts of England. His work as a teacher, teacher trainer and now as NCETM Director for System Leadership, has made a major contribution to improving maths education. It’s brilliant news that his work has been recognised in this way.’

John’s MBE is a testament to his unwavering commitment to improving maths education in England, and the NCETM is proud to celebrate his achievement.