Dewsbury high school headteacher awarded prestigious scholarship to study at Cambridge and Oxford

Karl Mackey, who is the head of St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy, Dewsbury, has been awarded a highly prestigious scholarship from the Farmington Institute to undertake advanced study at Jesus College, at the University of Cambridge, and at Harris Manchester College, at the University of Oxford.

The Farmington Institute is internationally recognised for its commitment to supporting high-quality research and professional development in education, particularly in the areas of religion, values and leadership.

The award is granted to a select group of outstanding educational leaders each year, with Mr Mackey’s research project, entitled “Developing Culture using Catholic Virtues to Close the Disadvantage Gap,” exploring how a strongly embedded Catholic ethos, rooted in Gospel values and virtues, can transform school culture and improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

The study will examine how the intentional development of virtues such as faith, courage, honesty, respect and service can create a deeply inclusive environment where every child is enabled to flourish.

Mr Mackey, who has been headteacher of the Oxford Road-based secondary school for three years, said:

“It is both a privilege and an honour to have been selected for a Farmington Institute Scholarship and to have the opportunity to study at Jesus College, Cambridge.

“This prestigious award affirms the importance of the work we are doing at St John Fisher, where our Catholic Mission and Virtues are central to all aspects of school life.

“I am particularly passionate about ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, is given the support, opportunity and belief they need to succeed. This research will help deepen our understanding and strengthen our practice in closing the disadvantage gap.”

This recognition builds on the significant recent successes of St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy. The school has been positively recognised in its most recent Ofsted inspection, reflecting strong leadership, improving outcomes and a clear commitment to high standards for all pupils.

In addition, the school’s recent Diocesan (Catholic Schools) Inspection highlighted the strength of its Catholic life and mission, praising its commitment to Gospel values, the promotion of human dignity, and the inclusive nature of its community.

Mr Mackey’s research will not only benefit St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy but will also contribute to wider educational thinking within Catholic education and beyond. By placing Catholic virtues at the heart of school culture, the project aims to provide practical insights into how Catholic schools can create environments where all pupils – especially the most disadvantaged – are able to thrive academically, spiritually and socially.

The scholarship represents an important opportunity to further strengthen the school’s work and to share best practice with other schools and leaders across the country.