Jump directly to the content
SCHOOL FOR LIFE

Who is Amanda Spielman? Ofsted chief inspector who wants to transform early years education

The education boss is issuing a plea to day-care staff to step in and help children get up to scratch in basic skills

THE Ofsted boss oversees an army of staff that inspects every school in the country.

But who is Amanda Spielman, and what's her background? Here's what we know about the high-flying education expert.

 Spielman has called for nursery teachers to play a bigger part in children's education
1
Spielman has called for nursery teachers to play a bigger part in children's educationCredit: Alamy Live News

Who is Amanda Spielman?

Amanda Spielman has been HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills since January 2017.

The 57-year-old mum-of-two got an MA in mathematics and law from Clare College in Cambridge, before obtaining a further MA in comparative of education from the University of London.

A chartered accountant by profession, she began focusing more on education from 2005 onwards.

From 2011-2016 was chair of Ofqual, the exam regulator, before taking on her current role.

What has she said about British kids?

In June 2018 Spielman warned that British kids starting school were unable to speak properly, dress or even use the toilet.

Amanda Spielman highlighted the rising number of pre-school children who are not taught basic speech.

She will issue a plea to day-care staff to step in and help such children by teaching them basic skills.

She said she wanted all children arriving at the first year of school to be able to carry out simple tasks, like using a pencil, kicking a ball and putting on their shoes.

Why has she been controversial in the past?

In 2018, Spielman supported a primary school headteacher's right to set a uniform policy that did not permit hijab for children in Key Stage 1.

The UK's National Education Union derided this as “naked racism dressed up as liberalism”.

Her election in June 2016 by education secretary Nicky Morgan also came under fire.

Spielman's nomination was rejected by the Education Select Committee which expressed concerns about her suitability, citing her lack of teaching experience and her failure to show "passion" and supposed failure to show understanding of the "complex role".

She also oversaw what she described as a "tsunami" of reform in her five years as head of Ofqual, including introducing the tougher GCSEs and A Levels and new grading systems.

BBC Two investigates what is the biggest factor that influences how well pupils do at school in new show Living with the Brainy Bunch


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


Topics