Marva-Rollins

Marva Rollins OBE

Speaker Summary

Marva Rollins OBE has been the recipient of four awards which recognised her contribution to education and the community: an honorary degree from the College of Teachers; the Windrush Education Champions; A Golden Jubilee Award from the Barbados Government, in celebration of their 50th year of Independence, for her services as a member of the Barbadian Community abroad, and an OBE for her contribution to education in January 2017. In 2009 the Evening Standard named her as one of the 1000 most influential people in London; and in 2011 she was featured in the Metro’s top 50 Black Heroes. Marva is a former headteacher and now works with schools to support and strengthen leadership teams as a coach and mentor for both current and future leaders. Marva is also a regular conference speaker and advisor to policy makers and national leadership organisations.

Areas of Expertise

Curriculum – Leadership and Management

Full Profile

Marva Rollins is the Director of Rollins Education Consultancy Ltd, partnering with school leaders across the country in reviewing, developing and maintaining high quality educational opportunities for all pupils. She supports schools in addressing equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in their curriculum offer, staffing and behaviour strategies. Marva retired from the role of headteacher in August 2019 after almost 25 years of leading two primary schools in inner city boroughs in London. She continues to work closely with schools leaders and middle leaders in defining and executing their strategic and operational roles.

For over past 30 years, Marva has played a key role in increasing the percentage of Black Heritage leaders in education through co-writing and leading a series of national programmes through the National College, the Institute of Education, NUT/NEU and other organisations. Her company also leads coaching programmes for future leaders in confidence building and all aspects preparation the successful interviews. She is a schools’ reviewer and trainer in Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She is a regular conference speaker. She is also the Non-Executive Director for an education organisation.

Marva has served the community for over 45 years, and is a founder member of a number of community groups including the Sickle Cell Society, East London Black Women Organisation and the African-Caribbean Community Centre in Newham. She is currently a trustee of a number of charities which includes ‘Success Club’ which works with students, in schools and the community, on motivation and mindfulness. She is a patron of The Reach Society, a social enterprise, at the forefront of inspiring Black young people by giving them access to a wide range of professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders, and a patron of Enfield Caribbean Association. She has been a governor for 40+ years and is currently a governor of 3 schools; two of which meets the needs of pupils with neuro-diverse identities.

Marva has been the recipient of a number of awards; recognising her contribution to education and the community: these include an honorary degree from the original College of Teachers; the Windrush Education Champion; The Barbados government 50th Independence Award in 2017 and an OBE the Queen’s Honour list in January 2018, for her contribution to education and the community. In 2009 the Evening Standard named Marva as one of the 1000 most influential people in London; and in 2011 she was featured in the Metro’s top 50 Black Heroes.