Dennis becomes a Citizen of Honour

Liverpool’s longest serving headteacher, Dennis Hardiman MBE, was admitted to the role of Citizen of Honour of the City of Liverpool in a ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday 14 December.

Dennis served St Sebastian’s Catholic Primary School in Fairfield for 37 years including 14 years, as headteacher of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School in Stoneycroft following the federation of the two schools in 2006. He was awarded an honorary MBE for services to education in 2017 - honorary because he is a US citizen, born in Long Island. He retired in 2020.

The ceremony was attended by Lady Mayoress Councillor Roz Gladden; Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson (Dennis was once her headteacher); Frank Cogley, former Director of Schools and Colleges for the Archdiocese of Liverpool; and The LordLieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell.

Lady Mayoress of Liverpool Councillor Roz Gladden said: ‘The City of Liverpool honours Dennis with the Citizen of Honour Award in recognition of his enormous contribution to education in the city including his compassion, intuition, outstanding leadership and tireless efforts to improve the lives of young people in our city.

‘Dennis was a much-loved head teacher who was respected by the children, staff, parents and local communities, and this honour is truly well deserved.’

Following the ceremony Dennis said, ‘It was a truly memorable evening shared with family, friends and colleagues, together with representatives from the local authority, the Archdiocese of Liverpool, ex-pupils and parents, all of whom made a contribution to this civic award.’