It is more than 40 years since Jill Westerman began her career in education. Before going to university, she found herself working at the West Midlands Travellers’ School.

Then, following stints teaching English in Spain and working in adult education in London and Rotherham, in 1993 she joined the institution with which her name has become synonymous:

Northern College, the residential college for adult and community education in Barnsley.

Westerman initially taught literacy, English and community programmes, and managed the skills for life and access to HE programmes, before joining the senior management team in 2002. Five years later, she became principal.

This career move came at a time when funding for adult learning was undergoing a significant contraction, but Westerman’s ability to inspire trust and confidence allowed her to lead the college successfully through a period of severe financial uncertainty, moving it from a serious financial deficit to grade 1 financial health. It was rated “outstanding” in three consecutive Ofsted inspections.

Beyond her work at the college, Westerman has taken every opportunity to raise the profile of adult education. She has been pivotal in the work of the Institutes for Adult Learning group, which she helped to set up and now chairs. She has also been heavily involved with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adult Education, and has commissioned and conducted research on adult learning and leadership.

The judges said: “Under her leadership, Northern College has come to embody the best of adult education and learning. But for Jill, it has not been about her: it has been about the institution and her team.”

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