A MEMORIAL arch at an Oxford college has been proposed in honour of a former principal and top education commentator.

Professor Sir David Watson, who died aged 65 in February, was principal of Green Templeton College and Oxford University’s Prof of Higher Education.

He had been at the college since 2010 – after senior appointments at Brighton University and the University of London – and took over its top position from historian Professor Colin Bundy.

Sir David had also previously been dean and a deputy director at Oxford Polytechnic from 1981-90, two years prior to it becoming Oxford Brookes University.

Now Green Templeton College has lodged plans with Oxford City Council to build a stone arch in his memory.

The arch would be built within college grounds, off Woodstock Road, connecting a wall with buildings from 1986.

It would be made of Clipsham stone.

Sir David, knighted in 1998 and considered a respected voice in higher education, was praised by the college after his death for his “enormous” legacy.

In his time there he had played a key role in bringing forward schemes including the GTC Advanced Studies Centre and library for postgraduates, a new gym at the main college, the Oxford Health Experiences Institute, the management in medicine programme, and the Emerging Markets Symposium.

He had also written a number of books in his field and been a member of the Dearing Inquiry during the 1990s.