I am proud to be a member of ASCL – the Association of School and College Leaders. This is a trade union and professional association that represents over 25,000 school and college leaders across the United Kingdom. I was elected to represent the south west region on ASCL’s Council in 2019, and I am also part of ASCL’s Executive Committee as the association’s Honorary Treasurer.

This is a fascinating part of my job, as we think about how best to represent the interests of school and college leaders to those in government and other positions of authority, to influence policy and systems. In this work I have been fortunate to have met with three different Education Secretaries, including meeting with Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, four times. She has always listened carefully to the representations we make, although the challenges of government are certainly limiting what can be achieved currently.

I have also met with Sir Martyn Oliver, the Chief Inspector at Ofsted, to discuss reforms to the accountability and inspection system. There is a consultation currently open as Sir Martyn is working on “Improving the way Ofsted inspects education.” I have made my views known, but the consultation is open to everyone with an interest in education, including parents and carers, and is open until 28th April.

This weekend I will be in Liverpool with ASCL for further conversations with Bridget Phillipson and Sir Martyn Oliver, and I am also looking forward to hearing from Professor Becky Francis CBE, who is Chair of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. This review is looking at curriculum and assessment in the English school system from reception to Year 13, which is a vital piece of work to refresh and renew the very busy and intensive system that is currently in place. I look forward to hearing what Professor Francis has to say!