Marie Stubbs
This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (April 2019) |
Marie Stubbs DSG | |
---|---|
Born | 1939 Glasgow, Scotland |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Headmistress, author |
Known for | Reforming a British secondary school following placement on 'special measures' by Ofsted and supporting better leadership in education. |
Notable work | Ahead of the Class (Book) |
Style | Lady Stubbs |
Spouse(s) | Sir William Stubbs[1] |
Children | 3 daughters |
Website | www |
Marie, Lady Stubbs, DSG (born 1939, Glasgow) is a British educator and academic, mostly known for being the headmistress who reformed St George's Roman Catholic Secondary School, in Maida Vale, London.
Early career[]
Marie Margaret Stubbs was headteacher at Douay Martyrs School in Ickenham. She was also responsible for the running of secure unit for girls in South London.[2]
Headmistress of St George's[]
This section does not cite any sources. (July 2018) |
The school had been put on "special measures" by OFSTED, meaning that it was considered to be well below standard and subject to regular inspection. The students had serious behavioural problems and there was low morale among the staff, due in part to the murder of a previous headmaster, Philip Lawrence, who was stabbed to death when intervening in a fight at the school gates. This was when the seriousness of the schools situation was brought the media attention.
A new headteacher was appointed and later resigned; as a result Westminster City Council paid for the school to be taken over by a private firm. Lady Stubbs was asked to leave retirement and given a contract of seventeen months to reform the school or it would face closure. Seventeen months after her appointment as headmistress, the school was taken off special measures, once believed to be impossible by some and was no longer considered to be failing.
Second retirement[]
This section does not cite any sources. (July 2018) |
Following her experience at St George's, in her second retirement she wrote the book Ahead of the Class which outlines her time at the school as well as her opinions on the need for good leadership of headteachers in order for schools to succeed. She quoted about education: "You should sit down and decide what makes a good education for the children. Every child should be intrinsically valued."
Personal life[]
This section does not cite any sources. (July 2018) |
Lady Stubbs has been married to Sir William Stubbs, formerly Head of the QCA, since 1963.[1] The couple divide their time between London and Banbury, Oxfordshire. They have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Film portrayal[]
In 2005, ITV made her book into a two-hour drama with Julie Walters playing Lady Stubbs. In "Good Housekeeping 2008" she said playing Lady Stubbs in Ahead of the Class was one of her favourite roles.
Honours[]
- Member of the governing body of De Montfort University, which awarded her an honorary doctorate
- Catholic Woman of the Year (2002)
- Nominated as Scotswoman of the Year (2005)[3]
Decorations[]
- :- Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great (DSG)
Styles[]
- 1963–1994 – Mrs Marie Stubbs
- 1994–present – Marie, Lady Stubbs
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Profile: Sir William Stubbs". BBC News. 27 September 2002. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ Biodata for Lady Marie Stubbs
- ^ Biodata for Lady Marie Stubbs
External links[]
- 1939 births
- Living people
- British Roman Catholics
- British writers
- Schoolteachers from Glasgow
- Women school principals and headteachers
- Women heads of schools in the United Kingdom
- People associated with De Montfort University