Peter Birkett

Sir Peter Birkett is a British educator and entrepreneur, known for being the Chief Executive of Barnfield College, Luton. It was the first Further Education College in the country and one of only six providers to receive Accredited School Group (ASG) status – a scheme to ensure the best education leaders are able to form federations, in order to drive up standards at primary and secondary levels throughout the country. This federation made up of a Post 16 FE College, two Secondary Schools, two Primary Schools and two academies for 14-18 year old. In September 2007 Barnfield broke new ground when it became the first Further Education College in the country to sponsor two underperforming secondary schools in Luton, create a federation and turn them around in just two years .Due to this achievement, Peter Birkett was Knighted in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to further education and the academy movement

Birkett was first educated as an engineer and obtained a range of engineering diplomas. He then trained as a teacher at Huddersfield Polytechnic (University of Huddersfield), where he received his Certificate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration. He then obtained a Master degree in Leadership, Management and IT at the University of Reading. 

Leaving school at the age of 16, he served 5-year engineering apprenticeship-attending college on a day release basis, studying for engineering qualifications. Birkett started as an engineer in Clugston Engineer, Scunthorpe. On completion of his apprenticeship, he travelled to Australia to further and broaden his skills as a qualified engineer. In Australia he worked for Babcock’s & Wilcox and Kilpatrick Green before being made redundant due to a recession in Sydney, Australia. As a result of redundancy Birkett chose a change of career securing a position as a wine salesman at Pieroth French Wines, selling French wine to Australians. During his time as an engineer and selling wine, he found his passion in working with and teaching people. Upon returning to England, he trained as a teacher by Huddersfield Polytechnic. His first teaching appointment was at Basingstoke College of Technology in 1985 where he stayed after two promotions until 1996. He was then promoted to the position as Director of Technology and then Assistant Principal at Bristol College, Bristol, until he joined the Sheffield College as Vice Principal in 2002.

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