'University shaped my character,' says education expert

Twenty-seven years after receiving her degree from the University of Bradford, education expert Emma Merva is back and reminiscing about Pickwicks nightclub, Friday Night Disco and local curry houses.  

Best known for setting up two free ‘Outstanding’ Islamic Star Academies in the Manchester area, she has returned to receive an Honorary Doctor of Education award. 

Looking out at the rows of empty chairs soon to be filled with graduates, she took a moment to reflect on how her experiences while studying and how they led her to where she is today. 

She said: "Nestled in the heart of an inclusive and progressive city, I embarked on a journey that not only enriched my academic interests but also shaped my character with invaluable lessons in resilience and acceptance. This vibrant urban landscape was more than just a backdrop; it was a dynamic environment where diversity thrived, and every challenge became an opportunity for growth."

'My mum fought for me'

Emma, who is National Attendance Lead and Regional Director for five primary schools and one all-through school, is a highly experienced national and international educational professional. She has been instrumental in developing leadership programmes in Bradford and beyond. An Inclusion Lead for more than 20 years, she speaks German and beginner's Italian, Urdu, and is learning Arabic. 

As a child growing up in Cheshire, Emma’s mother, a teacher, instilled in her the importance of education.  

Emma said: “She wanted me and my sister to have more choices than she had and a better future. She insisted that I needed to get a degree, but education wasn’t always easy for me.”  

Although she excelled in some areas, Emma was placed in a special educational needs class. It was her mum who fought for her to be moved back into mainstream classes. 

Emma said: “Because my mum fought for me, I understand the value a parent has in helping their children thrive in education. Parents and carers have a better understanding of what a child might be experiencing that is making it hard to achieve. 

“School staff might have the tools to help, but parents and carers provide us with insight that help us place practice in those tools. We must work together.  

“I will always remember my mother fighting for me and her contribution to my schooling. When parents come in and have complaints or issues, and they don't know where to go next, I think about my mother. 

“If my mum hadn’t done what she did, I wouldn’t be able to speak German, I wouldn't have had the same experience in English literature classes, which taught me a lot about the world, different languages and culture.  

“I am passionate and motivated to support those individuals who cannot advocate for themselves, or don’t know how the education system works, or don’t know how to support their child, because someone supported me and without that I really don’t know what I would be doing.” 

Pivotal moment

For Emma, who became a head teacher at just 33 years old, education is not just about the ABCs and times tables. Language, culture, faith are all part of it. 

She said: “Education creates the ability to choose for yourself. 

“Grades matter, but education is also about supporting students to become well-rounded individuals. If I did not have the education, I did alongside the extracurricular activities like swimming lessons and playing the trumpet in the band, I do not think I would have thrived.” 

At one point in her university journey, Emma failed a finance module and had to decide if she wanted to re-sit. Knowing that if she wanted to continue onto year two, she would need to study hard in the summer, retake the exam and pass. 

She said: "Flashback to the summer of 1995: a pivotal moment in my academic career. It was the relentless drive to conquer and overcome the finance module hurdle that ignited a newfound appreciation for higher education within me. Without that summer re-sit push, I might have brushed off the true value of my studies. But there I was, fuelled by ambition, eager to return to my studies. I was ready to challenge myself further, to uncover the limitless possibilities that lay ahead."

She believes motivation, resilience, and the desire to accomplish are key in succeeding in education.  

As she took to the University of Bradford stage, this time as an honorary recipient and facing a sea of mortarboards, she urged graduates not to give in to struggles, perceptions or stereotypes.  

In her speech, she said: “You can do it. Use your degree as your springboard to advance your life, but also use it to give back to society.”