22nd Jan 2025
Abingdon College recently had the honour of welcoming back Beryl Pratley, who served as Principal from 1982 to 1989. As the first female Principal in the college's history, Beryl's leadership left a legacy that continues to inspire the institution today.
During her tenure, Beryl described the college as, "ambitious for its students and focused on inclusion," values that remain at the heart of the college’s mission even today! As Principal, Beryl oversaw a period of significant growth and innovation, introducing new qualifications that opened doors for students in various fields. The college’s work with international students flourished under Beryl’s leadership, as did the newly introduced Accountancy courses. In fact, our current Finance Director studied on one of these courses under Beryl’s leadership all those years ago!
Beryl continued to work in further education after leaving the college and has remained involved in the sector even into her retirement. Her dedication to education and her pioneering role as a female leader in further education have left an indelible mark.
Reflecting on Beryl’s visit, Principal Jacqui Canton shared:
"It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Beryl to the college and to talk about how the college has changed, and the difference between the sector then and now. What struck me most, though, were the similarities. The college was then, as we are now, focused on developing new courses that meet the needs of the community and making sure that as many people as possible are able to benefit from local education to support their next steps. It was a privilege to chat about the impact Beryl had at the college and on behalf of all former students of the college, I thank her for the considerable contribution she made to further education in Oxfordshire."
Beryl’s visit was not only a chance to celebrate the achievements of the past but also an opportunity to reflect on how those achievements have shaped the college’s present and future. Her leadership and vision continue to resonate, and the college remains proud to build on the foundations she laid.
