What does it mean to be Chief Inspector of Schools in England?
The job has surprised me, with an enormous range of demands and variety of different audiences. I’m responsible for an organisation of 2,500 people based all over England, many of whom are home-based, with the problems of leadership that situation can bring. I have Ministers to keep in mind, the great British public to respond to and responsibilities towards teachers and governors. In any week, any month, I have to make sure that all get a bit of my time. But primarily, I see my prime responsibility being to learners and reporting fearlessly and frankly on the care and education they receive. I am the public face of Ofsted. I’m like a Permanent Secretary and a Secretary of State rolled into one as Ofsted is an independent Department of State, albeit a non-ministerial one. My week might consist of: • Managing the day-to-day work of Ofsted; • Meeting Ministers and officials; • Press and media work; • A range of different meetings, from looking at provision for Early Years, to 14–19 educa
