Brighton head teacher becomes freeman of the City of London

The new head teacher of a Brighton school has been awarded the freedom of the City of London.

Dylan Davies, who starts as principal of the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) next week, has been honoured for his services to education and the community.

Mr Davies, 46, was nominated by colleagues at the City of London Academy in Southwark where he was senior vice-principal until Christmas.

He was credited with helping to transform children’s lives during three years in a challenging job.

Dylan Davies

The freedom of the City of London  was first awarded nearly 800 years ago.

The accolade has been bestowed on prime ministers, princes and presidents including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and David Lloyd George.

Pupils from Mr Davies’s old school recently attended a ceremony to see the honour conferred on Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Wales Online reported Mr Davies’s parents Clive and Diane Davies as saying that they were immensely proud of their son.

Mrs Davies said: “He has worked with some very difficult pupils and set up schemes which have really helped to integrate communities.

“He doesn’t talk a lot about his accomplishments but we’re delighted for him.

“We, his parents and all his family in the Rhondda are extremely proud of his achievements – and especially so of this one.”