Aularian David Hudson recognised in 2026 New Year Honours List

St Edmund Hall congratulates alumnus David Lowe (1984, PGCE – History) for receiving an MBE for services to education in the 2026 New Year Honours List. David’s teaching career spans 40 years with his most recent role as Headteacher at the Royal Latin School in Buckinghamshire. The Hall contacted him to find out what Teddy Hall and this award meant to him.

He shared: “I joined St Edmund Hall as a postgraduate in 1984 to train as a teacher (PGCE) at the Department for Educational Studies in Norham Gardens.  Though time to get involved in college life was relatively short (as a result of teaching practice etc.) I did enjoy life in the MCR and also had the great honour of gaining a Blue for Football in 1984 (the Varsity Match was still played in those days at the old Wembley!).  I subsequently pursued a hugely positive 40 year career in education, teaching initially in Australia and France before coming home to teach history and become a senior leader in three Oxfordshire schools.  Most recently I enjoyed 15 years as Headteacher at the Royal Latin School in Buckingham.

I was delighted to receive an MBE for Services to Education. It has been such a pleasure to have affected the lives of literally thousands of young people and my real honour was to have worked in the great profession of teaching.  I am from a family of teachers and would like to think that this award recognises the inspiration I received from my parents and siblings. Of course, nothing I achieved would have been possible without the support, collectively and individually, of so many wonderful colleagues and I am pleased that all of their efforts have, in some way, been highlighted through my award.”