Westgate resident and head of college at Ramsgate’s Liberty Training Emily Hollis has been given the prestigious Member of the British Empire (MBE) award in recognition of her efforts to improve education both within the UK and around the world.
She was presented with her MBE by The Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent, at an Investiture held at Chevening House.
She received the award on September 7, the day before the Queen passed away, meaning she was one of the last people to be presented with a Queen’s MBE, making the investiture even more poignant.
Emily was awarded an MBE by the late Queen in the New Year 2021 Honours List for services to education and voluntary contributions. Unfortunately, receiving her MBE had been postponed due to Covid.
The 39-year-old was also awarded the SheInspires Lifetime Achievement award last year and was an international finalist in the GESS Education Awards, Dubai for Outstanding Contributions to Education.
Emily has also been recognised for her work by the Chartered College of Teaching, being awarded a Founding Fellow in 2018, and commended by the late Patron of the Chartered College of Teaching, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
She said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive such recognition. It is lovely to be acknowledged for doing what I am passionate about and trying my utmost to make a lasting difference to the lives of young people.”
Having recently moved back to Thanet after ten years in London, Emily said: “I am very excited to be leading Liberty Training College and inspiring young people in Kent to reach their full potential. I am incredibly passionate about social mobility and educational equality.”
Liberty Training College is an independent specialist college in Ramsgate that provides training to prepare young people with high needs for the world of employment has held a graduation event to celebrate the achievements of its learners.
Liberty Training, based in Albert Street, helps young people aged 16-25 with a range of needs from autism spectrum disorder to oppositional behaviour disorder.
Many learners have found previous education settings challenging and have not previously been able to thrive. At Liberty a combination of activities, hands-on learning and unique teaching methods help young people to progress.