The chief executive of a major academy trust is one of five new appointments to Ofsted’s board.
Lucy Heller (pictured), chief executive of Ark, which runs 16 primary schools, 16 secondaries and seven all-through schools, will take up the role from next month for three years.
She is joined by Sir Alan Wood, formerly the director for children’s and young people’s services in Hackney, who wrote a highly critical review of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy’s behaviour policies.
Journalist Jo Coburn and Hardip Begol, non-executive director at Oak National Academy, have also become board members.
The appointments come after Ofsted published its first wave of inspection report cards, revealing that one in seven schools has received the highest Ofsted grade of “exceptional” in at least one of its evaluation areas.
Chair seeking board shake-up
Ms Coburn; Ms Heller; Frances Wadsworth, deputy chair of Middlesex University board; and Sir Alan will serve for a period of three years from 1 February 2026.
Mr Begol will serve for a period of three years from 1 August 2026.
Board members are paid £8,292 per year for a time commitment of 20 days per year.
Ofsted’s board is now led by former chief inspector Dame Christine Gilbert, who led a major review into the school watchdog in 2024.
In her report, Dame Christine recommended that Ofsted’s governing board should be “revised” and “better used”.
You can now get the UK’s most-trusted source of education news in a mobile app. Get 91 magazine on and on
You need a 91 subscription to read this article
Subscribe now to read this article and get other subscriber-only content:
