Six new Fellows of the Institute were honoured at this year’s AGM, for services to education.

EIS members, Irene Campbell (Falkirk), Jim Slaven (North Lanarkshire) and Mike Smith (Midlothian), were awarded with the degree of FEIS, while Kevin Courtney (joint General Secretary, NEU), Mary Bousted (joint General Secretary, NEU, in absentia) and Nicola Benedetti (musician and campaigner, in absentia) were also bestowed with the title of FEIS.

Kevin Courtney delivered the reply on behalf of the new Fellows, saying “I am really proud of this award, but also a little bit embarrassed by it – I am just one activist, there are thousands of others across the country fighting every day for social justice.”

Nicola Benedetti was unable to attend due to concert commitments, but joined by video and said, “I take this honorary fellowship very seriously and also take it as an obligation for the future to continue to support education and learning for the rest of my life.”