Cambridge dons are from Hinckley
A PAIR of top Cambridge dons who presided over a recent graduation ceremony for the university were both former students at a Hinckley school.
Professor Graham Virgo, senior pro vice chancellor for Education, posed with senior proctor, Doctor Timothy Dickens, as they led a congregation for the conferment of degrees at the ancient institution.
They both went to John Cleveland College (JCC), now known as Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre, before pursuing their careers in education, albeit a decade apart.
Doctor Dickens went to JCC from 1972 to 1976, known as Hinckley Grammar School when he started, and he went on to read Chemistry at the University of Kent, staying on to do a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry.
After graduating, he moved to Oxford to do research before joining pharmaceutical giant Glaxo.
He joined Cambridge University in 2008 and is now a fellow in Chemistry at Peterhouse and a tutor for graduate admission.
This year he is senior proctor for the university, a job that rotates round all 31 colleges, each holder having the job for a year.
Professor Virgo went to JCC from 1980 to 1984, and he studied Law at Cambridge.
Today he is a professor in the Law faculty and a fellow of Darwin College.
His father, Hugh, was a deputy head at JCC and taught Geography.
Dr Dicken’s father, Ron, was at various times a town, district and county councillor in Hinckley, later serving on Burbage Parish Council.
He was also a foundation governor of JCC.
The top don’s mother, Jean, was a governor at Westfield
School at one time and was active in the church at Holy Trinity and later at St Catherine’s, Burbage.