Norland celebrates historic 2025 graduation ceremonies
31 March 2025
Norland is delighted to celebrate the success of its 144th cohort of Norland Nannies and the latest degree graduates at its 2025 graduation ceremonies.
The events on 28 March 2025 at Bath Abbey also marked a significant milestone in Norland’s 133-year history with the granting of permanent degree awarding powers, paving the way for its application for university title.
The morning ceremony witnessed the graduation of Set 145 (known during their training as Set 45), who proudly donned the Norland graduation gown in its symbolic colours of brown, blue, and gold to receive their BA (Hons) degree certificates adorned with Norland’s coat of arms.
In the afternoon, Set 144 (known during their training as Set 44) celebrated their graduation from the prestigious Norland diploma, having successfully completed 12 months in paid employment as Newly Qualified Nannies. The diploma graduands wore the iconic formal Norland uniform to receive their certificates and badges, officially earning the esteemed title of Norlander, or Norland Nanny. This title recognises their completion of both the degree and unique four-year skills-based diploma at Norland.
The graduation ceremonies are not only an acknowledgement of the academic achievements of Sets 144 and 145 but also a significant rite of passage for Norland graduates, equipping them to embark on exceptional and fulfilling early years careers. The ceremony commencement addresses were given by Professor Peter Flew and Norlander Katy Douglas (Set 108).
Academic excellence was celebrated with awards for the highest dissertation result, most improved student, highest average grades, and the valedictorian for outstanding student performance over the three years of the degree programme. Awards were presented to diploma graduates who demonstrated qualities of care, compassion and consideration, excellence in their Newly Qualified Nanny placements, and adherence to the highest professional standards.
A highlight of this year’s ceremony was the inauguration of the Denise Black award, generously donated by Chris and Natasha Ashton.
This award honours the memory of Norlander Denise Black, who worked with the Ashton family for nine years before her life was tragically cut short by melanoma. The award celebrates a Norland Nanny who has exemplified a positive outlook and overcome significant challenges during their Newly Qualified Nanny year, embodying the Norland motto ‘Strength in Adversity’.
Dr Janet Rose, Principal of Norland, expressed her joy, stating: “It is wonderful to be back at Bath Abbey to celebrate with another cohort of students achieving their degree and Norland Nanny status. This year’s events are especially poignant as we also celebrate achieving indefinite taught degree powers, paving the way for us to apply for university title. This success is testament to the outstanding quality of the academic provision at Norland and represents a significant achievement for all staff, students and graduates.”
Founded in London in 1892 by education pioneer Emily Ward, Norland was the very first educational establishment to offer any kind of childcare training. Emily Ward’s innovative model laid the foundation for the nursery nurse profession and the training model on which all future nursery nurse training would be based.
Fully qualified Norland graduates benefit from exceptional employment opportunities and lifelong career support, with demand for Norland-trained professional early years practitioners consistently exceeding supply.
In March 2025, Norland’s achievement of full and permanent taught degree awarding powers marked the next significant milestone towards its ambition of becoming the world’s first early childhood specialist university.
