Could Phyllis Peters be the oldest graduate in the country?

The former teacher has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Roehampton for her services to education at the age of 102.

She taught in and around Ramsgate for 24 years and now lives in a care home, where two of her senior carers are her former pupils from Ellington Girls’ School.

She gained a Certificate in Education – a teaching qualification which was awarded until 1981 – in 1935 from Southlands College, one of the four colleges of the University of Roehampton.

Now the university is honouring Phyllis, and other alumni who achieved the certificate, with an honorary degree to acknowledge and celebrate her achievements in education.

Phyllis said: “Southlands was a happy college and progressive for its time.

"She's been recognised for her hard work and dedication to her years of teaching generations of children" - Dr Christopher Stephens

"We worked hard for our qualification but I never anticipated getting a degree.

“I am very pleased to have been awarded one now.”

The degree was presented to her home by Dr Christopher Stephens.

He said: “It was an absolute pleasure to present Phyllis with her award.

“She’s been recognised for her hard work and dedication to her years of teaching generations of children and she spoke to us in great detail about her experience working as a teacher in Ramsgate.

“We also heard stories about her time at college which were both very funny and heart warming.”