Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Amanda Spielman, Baroness Spielman

Amanda Spielman, Baroness Spielman of West Dulwich (born 22 May 1961), is a British education administrator and life peer who served as His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills at Ofsted from January 2017 to December 2023.^[1]^[2] Prior to this role, she chaired Ofqual, the qualifications regulator, from 2011 to 2016, and held executive positions in finance and education sectors, including at Ark Schools and GEMS Education.^[3]^[4] During her Ofsted tenure, Spielman shifted the inspection framework toward evaluating curriculum quality and pupil outcomes over administrative processes, resulting in more schools being graded 'good' amid debates over inspection rigor.^[5]^[6] Her leadership drew scrutiny, notably after the 2017 suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry following an inspection that downgraded her school from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate', prompting reviews of Ofsted's impact on school leaders' wellbeing.^[7]^[8] In April 2025, she was nominated by the Conservative Party for a life peerage, assuming the title Baroness Spielman and taking her seat in the House of Lords on 9 May 2025, recognition cited for her contributions to education standards despite ongoing policy critiques.^[9]^[10] Post-tenure, she has advocated against reforms perceived to undermine school autonomy, arguing they favor union interests over evidence-based improvements.^[11]^[12]

Early life and education

Upbringing and family influences

Amanda Spielman was born on 22 May 1961 in North Kensington, London, specifically on St Mark's Road in an area described at the time as one of the seedier parts of Notting Hill, delivering precipitously before her mother could exit the front door to reach the hospital.^[13] Her parents were Richard Edmund Sebastian Robinson and Olivia Fiona Robinson (née O'Brien), with her mother serving as a lecturer and later professor of legal history, holding fellowships in the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) and the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS).^[14] At age five, the family relocated to Glasgow due to her mother's academic position, where Spielman began her schooling at Notre Dame, a state-funded convent primary school, noted by teachers for her energetic and whirlwind-like demeanor that required efforts to moderate.^[13] This move exposed her to a Scottish educational environment amid her mother's professional commitments in legal scholarship, potentially fostering an early appreciation for structured intellectual pursuits, though specific familial directives on career or values remain undocumented in primary accounts. At age ten, she transferred to a small boarding school in Dorset—her mother's alma mater—with approximately 100 pupils total and only 12 in her year group, marking a shift to a more insular, independent setting that emphasized discipline and academics.^[13] Family influences appear centered on academic rigor, given her mother's prominence in legal history and the choice of boarding education aligned with maternal heritage, contrasting the initial urban state schooling in London and Glasgow; no public records detail siblings or paternal professional impacts, suggesting a household oriented toward scholarly achievement without overt political or ideological impositions.^[13]

Academic and early professional formation

Spielman matriculated at Clare College, Cambridge, in 1979, initially pursuing a degree in mathematics before transferring to law at the conclusion of her first year, finding the latter's structured curriculum and supervision more engaging.^[15] She completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1982, achieving an upper second-class honours classification across Part I (mathematics) and Part II (law).^[2]^[16] Immediately after graduation, Spielman entered professional training in accountancy, joining a firm in Bristol and qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1985, passing all examinations on the first attempt.^[2]^[17] This qualification provided her foundational expertise in financial auditing, compliance, and analysis, which informed her subsequent transitions into strategy and investment roles. Her early career thus emphasized rigorous quantitative and legal training, bridging academic disciplines with practical professional certification in a field demanding precision and ethical standards.^[2] In the mid-1980s, following her accountancy qualification, Spielman began applying her skills in mergers and acquisitions at prominent London financial institutions, marking her initial foray into high-stakes corporate advisory work.^[2] This phase honed her abilities in due diligence, valuation, and deal structuring, establishing core competencies that defined her longer-term contributions to the financial sector.^[2]

Career in the financial sector

Banking and investment roles

Spielman began her professional career in accounting, qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1985 after training at KMG Thomson McLintock, which later became part of KPMG. From 1982 to 1986, she worked as an accountant at KPMG UK (formerly KMG Thomson McLintock), gaining foundational experience in financial auditing and analysis.^[18]^[2] She transitioned into investment banking at Kleinwort Benson, serving as a manager in corporate finance from 1986 to 1992, where her responsibilities included mergers and acquisitions advisory, domestic and international deal execution, and workout situations.^[4]^[3] During this period, she contributed to top-ranked M&A transactions in the City of London financial sector.^[17] Following roles in business analysis and strategy consulting, including as director of Newstead Capital from 1992 to 1994 and principal at Mercer Management Consulting in Boston from 1995 to 1996, Spielman joined Nomura International's Principal Finance Group from 1997 to 2004.^[3]^[19] In this capacity, she managed principal investments akin to private equity, deploying Nomura's own capital in equity deals valued between £250 million and £500 million, focusing on high-value opportunities in various sectors.^[2]^[17] These roles underscored her expertise in financial strategy, risk assessment, and capital deployment prior to her shift toward education policy.

Private equity and advisory positions

Following her roles in corporate finance at Kleinwort Benson from 1986 to 1992, Spielman co-founded Newstead Capital in 1992, serving as a director until 1994.^[16] This firm operated as a financing boutique, providing advisory services focused on asset-backed finance transactions.^[16] From 1997 to around 2001, Spielman worked at Nomura Principal Finance Group, where she managed principal equity investments ranging from £250 million to £500 million per deal.^[2] This division functioned effectively as an internal private equity operation, utilizing Nomura's own capital for direct investments rather than third-party funds.^[16] Her responsibilities included strategy and execution in these high-value equity placements, building on her prior experience in mergers, acquisitions, and investment analysis.^[2]

Pre-Ofsted contributions to education

Leadership in academy chains

Spielman joined the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) academy chain in 2004 as Research and Policy Director, a role in which she contributed to the strategic development of its educational initiatives.^[2] ARK, the schools arm of a charity founded in 2002 by hedge fund philanthropists to support disadvantaged children, began sponsoring academies amid the UK government's push for school autonomy.^[20] She became a founding member of ARK's senior leadership team in 2005, helping shape its operational model during the early phase of academy expansion.^[21] ^[22] In this capacity, Spielman focused on evidence-based policy and research to drive school improvement, particularly in turning around underperforming institutions in deprived urban areas, with ARK emphasizing rigorous curricula and teacher training from its inception.^[23] Her work supported ARK's growth into a multi-academy trust overseeing dozens of primary and secondary schools by the 2010s, including the integration of primary education as a core strand rather than an afterthought.^[24] ARK's expansion involved sponsoring schools with historically low attainment, applying centralized expertise in leadership and pedagogy to foster consistent standards across sites.^[25] ARK under her leadership achieved recognition for strong pupil outcomes, especially among disadvantaged groups; a 2016 Sutton Trust analysis ranked it among the top multi-academy trusts for progress in attainment by low-income students, attributing gains to effective chain-wide interventions.^[26] ^[27] Spielman maintained an advisory role in ARK's international programs until January 2016, overlapping with her Ofqual chairmanship, which limited her direct involvement in domestic operations post-2011.^[22] This period underscored ARK's model of leveraging private philanthropy and data-driven strategies to outperform many local authority schools in similar contexts.^[28]

Chairmanship of examinations bodies

Amanda Spielman was appointed Chair of Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, in June 2011.^[29] In this non-executive role, she oversaw the independent regulator responsible for maintaining standards in qualifications, examinations, and assessments in England, ensuring they were rigorous, valid, and comparable over time.^[29] Her appointment followed her experience in education policy at ARK Schools, where she contributed to curriculum development and governance. Spielman was reappointed in April 2014 for a further three-year term by Secretary of State Michael Gove, who praised her leadership in upholding qualification integrity amid ongoing reforms.^[30] During her tenure from 2011 to 2016, Spielman guided Ofqual through extensive reforms to GCSEs and A-levels, including the shift from modular to predominantly linear assessment structures to emphasize end-of-course exams over resits and coursework, aiming to reduce opportunities for grade inflation and enhance knowledge retention.^[24] These changes, consulted on from 2012 and implemented progressively from 2015, involved new subject content specifications developed with exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, alongside the introduction of a 9-1 grading scale for GCSEs to provide finer differentiation at higher levels while preserving overall standards comparability.^[22] Ofqual under her chairmanship also addressed vocational qualifications post the Wolf Review (2011), restricting funding to those with clear progression value and rigorous assessment, prioritizing academic and technical pathways over low-value alternatives.^[24] Spielman's leadership emphasized regulatory independence from government while enforcing accountability on awarding organizations, including interventions in grading disputes such as the 2012 GCSE English appeals, where Ofqual reviewed algorithms and exam board practices to ensure fairness without undermining standards.^[31] Critics, including some teaching unions, argued the reforms imposed excessive change on schools and risked disadvantaging certain learners through reduced flexibility, but supporters credited her with restoring credibility to qualifications by countering perceptions of progressive dumbing down via data-driven comparability studies and controlled assessment reductions.^[24]^[22] She stepped down from Ofqual in late 2016 to prepare for her Ofsted role, having overseen what was described as a transformative period stabilizing the qualifications system against political pressures.^[32]

Leadership of Ofsted

Appointment and initial priorities

Amanda Spielman was appointed Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills at Ofsted on 1 January 2017, succeeding Sir Michael Wilshaw whose term ended on 31 December 2016.^[33] The appointment process began with her selection by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan in June 2016, followed by parliamentary pre-appointment scrutiny in July 2016 and Privy Council approval on 19 July 2016.^[24]^[16] Prior to the role, Spielman had served as chair of Ofqual from 2011 to 2016 and held leadership positions in academy trusts, providing her with extensive experience in education regulation and school improvement. Upon taking office, Spielman prioritized refocusing Ofsted's inspection regime on the quality and substance of education provision rather than an over-reliance on published performance data, which she viewed as susceptible to gaming by schools. In her inaugural interview as Chief Inspector on 9 January 2017, she stated intentions to reassess Ofsted's core purpose and foster a perception of the inspectorate as a constructive force for educational enhancement.^[34] This shift aimed to address systemic issues such as "teaching to the test" and exclusionary practices like off-rolling, where schools removed challenging pupils to improve metrics. A key early emphasis was on the school curriculum, with Spielman advocating for inspections to evaluate curriculum intent, implementation, and impact over attainment outcomes alone. Ofsted's October 2017 research under her leadership revealed that many schools provided narrow curricula for lower-attaining pupils, limiting access to subjects like the English Baccalaureate and hindering broader educational development.^[35] She also critiqued the distorting effects of school league tables, arguing in June 2017 that tactics to manipulate rankings undermined genuine learning.^[36] These priorities laid groundwork for subsequent framework reforms, signaling a move towards substantive educational evaluation amid concerns over data-driven accountability's unintended consequences.

Reforms to inspection methodology

During her tenure as Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman oversaw the development and implementation of the Education Inspection Framework (EIF), announced in October 2018 and effective from September 2019, which marked a significant shift in Ofsted's methodology for inspecting schools and further education providers in England.^[37] ^[38] The framework reduced the number of inspection judgements from eight to four—quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management—eliminating separate gradings for pupil outcomes and early years provision to avoid over-reliance on aggregated data like exam results.^[37] This change aimed to prioritize the "substance of education," focusing inspectors on curriculum design, intent, implementation, and impact rather than proxy measures that could incentivize gaming or narrowing of teaching.^[38] The EIF introduced "deep dive" inspections into specific subjects or curriculum areas, where inspectors scrutinized lesson planning, pupil work, and teacher subject knowledge through direct observation and discussions, moving away from a heavier emphasis on performance data.^[38] Spielman justified this evolution as grounded in research evidence highlighting how data-heavy approaches under the prior Common Inspection Framework had distorted school practices, such as prioritizing test preparation over broader learning.^[39] Inspections for previously graded "good" schools shifted from routine short visits to risk-based monitoring, contributing to a decline in "outstanding" ratings as high-performing schools faced less frequent but more rigorous scrutiny only upon evidence of decline.^[6] Further methodological adjustments in June 2023, prompted by scrutiny following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, allowed schools rated "inadequate" solely due to safeguarding procedural issues to receive targeted re-inspections within three months, rather than full overhauls, to address perceived disproportionality in single-visit judgements.^[40] Spielman described the EIF overall as an "evolution, not a revolution," intended to enhance inspectors' focus on causal factors in educational quality while maintaining overall effectiveness gradings.^[41] These reforms were informed by consultations and pilot inspections, though critics, including some educators, argued they increased workload pressures without fully alleviating a "culture of fear" around inspections.^[42]

Key policy positions on curriculum and standards

During her tenure as Chief Inspector of Ofsted from January 2017 to December 2023, Amanda Spielman positioned the curriculum as the foundational element of educational quality, arguing that a broad, rich, and knowledge-rich curriculum should drive school improvement rather than serving as a means to inflate test scores.^[43] She criticized prevailing practices where accountability pressures led to curriculum narrowing, such as primaries dedicating excessive time to Key Stage 2 SATs preparation—at the expense of subjects like arts and humanities—and secondaries compressing Key Stage 3 into two years or offering restricted options to lower-attaining pupils, often prioritizing quick qualifications over substantive knowledge.^[43] Spielman contended that such "exam factories" risked hollowing out learning, particularly disadvantaging disadvantaged pupils by denying them access to a full curriculum, and advocated revitalizing curriculum expertise to align with the ambitious standards of the 2014 national curriculum.^[43] In October 2018, Spielman outlined a vision for reforming Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF) to place curriculum at its heart, proposing to eliminate the separate "outcomes for pupils" judgment—which she viewed as encouraging data gaming and teaching to the test—and replace it with a unified "quality of education" assessment encompassing curriculum, teaching, and assessment.^[37] The resulting EIF, implemented in September 2019 after consultation with over 15,000 respondents, evaluated curriculum through its intent (whether broad and ambitious), implementation (effective delivery), and impact (genuine learning outcomes), aiming to reward schools providing deep knowledge transmission while reducing teacher workload from data fixation.^[44] She emphasized that "the new framework puts the real substance of education at the heart of inspection," supporting elements like systematic synthetic phonics, early mathematics sequencing, and English Baccalaureate subjects to foster long-term memory and cultural capital.^[44]^[45] Spielman linked curriculum rigor to elevated academic standards, asserting that high expectations via powerful knowledge—such as scientific principles or literary canon—equipped pupils for future challenges, defining learning as durable changes in cognition rather than short-term performance.^[45] She prioritized early reading standards, mandating daily phonics instruction in Reception and Key Stage 1 under the EIF's "deep dives," and extended this to secondaries by highlighting the need for explicit reading support for struggling pupils to prevent persistent weaknesses.^[46] In areas of low performance, she called for tailored interventions to break cycles of underachievement through ambitious leadership and consistent high standards, rejecting diluted curricula for any group as incompatible with social mobility.^[47] Overall, her framework sought to elevate standards by incentivizing substance over metrics, with Ofsted's inspections serving as a mechanism for systemic improvement.^[44]

Controversies and external criticisms

Spielman's tenure as Chief Inspector of Ofsted drew significant criticism following the suicide of Ruth Perry, headteacher at Caversham Primary School, on January 3, 2023, shortly after an Ofsted inspection in November 2022 downgraded the school from "outstanding" to "inadequate" in a single-word judgment.^[48] An inquest concluded that the inspection "contributed more than was reasonable" to Perry's death, with the coroner highlighting the intense stress from the process.^[49] A subsequent independent review in September 2024 described Ofsted's response as "defensive and complacent," noting failures in staff communication about the incident and inadequate support mechanisms.^[48] Spielman maintained the inspection itself was conducted without procedural errors and characterized Perry's case as having been "used as a pivot" to discredit the inspection regime, prompting backlash from educators and unions who argued it exemplified broader systemic flaws in Ofsted's high-stakes approach.^[49] ^[8] Critics, including Perry's family and teaching organizations, intensified opposition to Spielman's nomination for a peerage in March 2025, labeling it "an insult" to Perry's memory and demanding accountability for Ofsted's culture under her leadership.^[7] ^[50] The Headrest mental health charity for school leaders issued a statement vehemently opposing the honor, citing unaddressed inspection-related pressures contributing to leader suicides.^[51] Spielman defended her record, emphasizing Ofsted's necessity in upholding standards amid sector-wide discontent over funding and pay, positioning the regulator as a "lightning rod" for unrelated grievances.^[52] In 2018, Spielman faced accusations of insensitivity after accusing minority groups of displaying a "sense of entitlement" in debates over primary school pupils wearing the hijab, arguing that schools should actively discourage the practice to prioritize British values and child development over cultural accommodations.^[53] This stance drew rebukes from advocacy groups and media outlets, who portrayed it as dismissive of religious freedoms, though supporters viewed it as a principled defense against premature religious signaling in young children. Spielman also reported enduring regular accusations of "anti-Judaism" from some quarters during her tenure, linked to Ofsted's scrutiny of faith-based schools, including Orthodox Jewish institutions, where inspections enforced curriculum breadth requirements potentially conflicting with traditional practices.^[54] Such criticisms highlighted tensions between regulatory standardization and religious autonomy, with conservative commentators alleging an overreach into faith education.^[55] Teachers' unions and sector voices broadly condemned Ofsted's inspection model under Spielman for fostering anxiety through unannounced visits and binary judgments, with calls in 2023 for inspectors to "hand in their badges" in solidarity with Perry.^[56] Spielman countered that such reforms risked diluting accountability, attributing much outcry to resistance against evidence-based standards rather than inherent flaws.^[27]

Post-Ofsted roles and peerage

Transition from Ofsted and interim activities

Spielman announced her intention to step down as His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills on 16 March 2023, after more than six years in the role, with her departure scheduled for the end of December 2023.^[57] The announcement followed a period of intense scrutiny over Ofsted's inspection practices, including the high-profile case of headteacher Ruth Perry's suicide in January 2023 after an inspection downgraded her school, though Spielman maintained that inspections were conducted professionally.^[8] The Department for Education advertised the successor position on 14 March 2023, seeking an experienced school leader for the £165,000-a-year role, with applications closing in early April.^[58] Her tenure concluded on 31 December 2023, during which Ofsted had shifted toward more schools receiving 'good' or better ratings compared to prior years, reflecting reforms she championed.^[5] The transition included ongoing implementation of her evidence-based inspection framework, with subject-specific research reports continuing into 2024, such as those on English, religious education, and personal development.^[59] In the period following her Ofsted departure, Spielman undertook advisory and public engagement roles in education. In April 2024, she participated in discussions on accountability in the education system, emphasizing the need for robust standards.^[60] By June 2024, she spoke at the National Secular Society conference on addressing religious interference in schools, advocating for "muscular liberalism" in education policy.^[61] In August 2024, she was appointed Chair of the Academic Council for GEMS Education, a major international provider operating over 200 schools, where she advised on curriculum and standards to enhance academic rigor.^[62] Later that year, in November 2024, she delivered the Ludgate Lecture for the think tank Bright Blue, focusing on education policy challenges.^[63] These activities positioned her as a commentator on restoring substantive content in curricula amid concerns over therapeutic approaches in schools.^[10]

Elevation to the House of Lords

On 11 April 2025, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, nominated Amanda Spielman for a life peerage as recognition of her tenure as HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills from 2017 to 2023.^[9] The nomination was part of a list of political peerages announced by the Prime Minister's Office.^[9] Spielman was created Baroness Spielman, of Durlston in the County of Dorset, for life under the Life Peerages Act 1958.^[64] She was introduced to the House of Lords on 12 May 2025, during which she took the oath of allegiance to the King and assumed her seat as a Conservative peer.^[65] ^[66] The elevation drew criticism from some education leaders, including headteachers who wrote to the House of Lords Appointments Commission arguing that it was inappropriate given Ofsted's inspection practices under her leadership, particularly in relation to the 2017 inspection linked to the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry.^[67] ^[8] Supporters, however, praised the peerage as deserved for Spielman's efforts to uphold educational standards and challenge progressive orthodoxies in schooling.^[10]

Contributions in the House of Lords

Baroness Spielman was introduced to the House of Lords on 12 May 2025, following her life peerage announced earlier that month.^[68] In her maiden speech on 15 May 2025 during the second reading of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, she cautioned against the tendency to vilify public sector decision-makers as "soulless and unfair," arguing that such rhetoric undermines the implementation of necessary reforms. She emphasized the importance of collective support for frontline staff executing policy changes, drawing on her experience in public administration to highlight how scapegoating erodes institutional effectiveness.^[69] Spielman has actively contributed to debates on education and child welfare, leveraging her prior role as Chief Inspector of Ofsted. In September 2025 committee stage discussions on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, she intervened multiple times, opposing mandatory pupil wellbeing checks as potentially counterproductive and advocating for evidence-based approaches to personal development and mental health support in schools. On 10 September 2025, she addressed the risks of local authorities placing children in unregistered alternative provision, stressing the need for regulated oversight to ensure quality. She also referenced Ofsted's framework under her leadership, which integrated children's wellbeing into inspections without diluting academic standards.^[70]^[71]^[72] Her interventions extended to broader policy areas, including criminal justice. During the 16 October 2025 second reading of the Crime and Policing Bill, Spielman critiqued proposed amendments related to late-term abortions, noting instances of women being pressured or abused into procedures and highlighting unreasonable conduct by police and the Crown Prosecution Service in related cases; she argued against presuming universal victimhood, stating "not all women are angels without agency." This reflected her emphasis on empirical case evidence over generalized narratives in policy-making.^[73]^[74] By October 2025, Spielman had made at least 17 spoken contributions, primarily on bills affecting public services, child protection, and regulatory frameworks, often advocating for pragmatic, data-driven reforms resistant to populist critiques.^[75]

References

[1]
Amanda Spielman - GOV.UK
Biography. Amanda Spielman served as His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills from 2017 to 2023. Before joining Ofsted she was ...Missing: Baroness | Show results with:Baroness
[2]
Ofsted's next head, Amanda Spielman, rejected by MPs - BBC News
Jul 7, 2016 · Amanda Spielman, born in 1961, left Clare College Cambridge in 1982 with an upper-second-class degree in mathematics and law. She qualified as a ...Missing: Baroness | Show results with:Baroness
[3]
Amanda Spielman's Biography | FE News
Amanda Spielman has been Ofsted Chief Inspector since January 2017. Between 2011 and 2016, Amanda was chair of Ofqual, the qualifications regulator.
[4]
Amanda Spielman - LinkedIn
Experience ; Chair, Academic Council. GEMS Education. Jun 2024 - Present 1 year 5 months ; His Majesty's Chief Inspector. Ofsted. Jan 2017 - Dec 2023 7 years.Missing: tenure achievements
[5]
How Ofsted grades changed under Amanda Spielman: 7 findings
Dec 15, 2023 · More schools have been judged 'good' by Ofsted under Spielman's tenure, but new analysis questions whether it follows genuine improvement.
[6]
How schools' inspection outcomes changed under Amanda Spielman
Dec 14, 2023 · In this article we are going to look back at the full seven years of her tenure to examine how schools' inspection outcomes have changed since she took up ...
[7]
'An insult': Amanda Spielman, Ofsted chief at time of Ruth Perry's ...
Mar 29, 2025 · Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector when headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life after a bruising inspection, is poised to join the House of Lords.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[8]
Ofsted boss at time of Ruth Perry's death to get peerage - BBC
Mar 29, 2025 · Her peerage is yet to be formally announced but a Conservative source says she will be a "huge asset" in Parliament.Missing: date | Show results with:date
[9]
Political Peerages: April 2025 - GOV.UK
Apr 11, 2025 · Nominations from the Leader of the Conservative Party: Amanda Spielman – Former HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills.Missing: date | Show results with:date
[10]
Amanda Spielman's peerage is richly deserved | The Spectator
Mar 29, 2025 · Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is elevating Spielman – who served as head of Ofsted between 2017 and 2023 – to the House of Lords for her outstanding record in ...
[11]
Ex-Ofsted boss says education secretary wants 'to please unions'
Mar 17, 2025 · The former head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, has criticised the education secretary and accused her of giving "a great deal of time and attention ...
[12]
Ofsted ex-chief says schools bill 'very likely' to make education in ...
Mar 17, 2025 · Ofsted ex-chief says schools bill 'very likely' to make education in England worse. Amanda Spielman says outlined changes 'put unions and union members ahead ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
[13]
Amanda Spielman, chair, Ofqual - Schools Week
Dec 23, 2014 · She was even born in a hurry – popping into existence before her mother made it out their front door on St Mark's Road, “one of the seedier ...Missing: Baroness | Show results with:Baroness
[14]
About: Amanda Spielman - DBpedia
About: Amanda Spielman. An Entity of Type: animal, from Named Graph: http://dbpedia ... Sebastian Robinson ; (en). dbp:predecessor · dbr:Glenys_Stacey · dbr ...
[15]
Amanda Spielman, 1979
Amanda read Law at Clare and went on to become a chartered accountant. Intellectual curiosity then lead her to UCL for a Masters in Comparative Education.Missing: Baroness biography
[16]
[PDF] Appointment of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education ...
Jul 7, 2016 · Amanda Spielman, Government's preferred candidate for the post of Her. Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills.
[17]
House of Commons - Education Committee
CV. Amanda Spielman. Employment. 2011– Chair, Ofqual ... Qualified as chartered accountant 1985 (all first-time passes) ... Jobs · Using this website ...Missing: early | Show results with:early<|separator|>
[18]
Amanda Spielman named as new Ofsted chief inspector
... education circles, as as Spielman has not previously worked as a teacher, instead beginning her career in corporate finance. However, she has spent the past ...Missing: formation | Show results with:formation
[19]
https://instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/online-event/conversation-amanda-spielman-ofsted-chief-inspector
[20]
Ark Schools: hedge funds, ed tech, and 'venture philanthropy'
Spielman has never been a teacher; her background is in corporate finance and management consultancy. But there was never the slightest doubt that the ...
[21]
Amanda Spielman | Association of Colleges
She was previously chair of the exam regulator Ofqual from 2011 to 2016, and a founding member of the leadership team at the multi-academy trust Ark Schools.
[22]
Who is Amanda Spielman? The next Ofsted chief's education CV - Tes
Jun 10, 2016 · Amanda Spielman CV: A chartered accountant by profession; Chair of Ofqual since 2011; Adviser to Ark's international arm 2011-January 2016 ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
[23]
Amanda Spielman's speech at the Nursery World business summit
Nov 8, 2017 · A chain, incidentally, that built in primary education from the very beginning. The work at Ark was very much focused on turning around tough ...
[24]
Amanda Spielman chosen as new Ofsted chief - BBC News
Jun 10, 2016 · She has helped oversee the reform of GCSEs and A-levels and the founding and expansion of successful academy chain, Ark, during her time at ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
[25]
Amanda Spielman named as next Ofsted chief inspector
Jun 10, 2016 · Spielman is a senior figure in Ark academy chain and chair of Ofqual but lacks hands-on experience as a teacher.
[26]
MPs oppose Nicky Morgan's choice of Ofsted head - The Guardian
Jul 6, 2016 · Spielman's track record was bolstered by new analysis from the Sutton Trust, which placed Ark among the best multi-academy trusts for ...Missing: growth | Show results with:growth<|separator|>
[27]
In defence of Amanda Spielman - CapX
Mar 31, 2025 · The former head of Ofsted Amanda Spielman is a superb choice for elevation. I've seen myself the positive impact that she's had on our education system over ...
[28]
Full article: ARK and the revolution of state education in England
Sep 16, 2013 · This paper addresses some recent changes in the landscape of state education in England. In particular, it focuses on the way in which Academies, state-funded ...
[29]
New Chair of Ofqual - GOV.UK
Jun 7, 2011 · Ms Spielman is research and development director of the academy operator ARK Schools, where she is also responsible for legal, governance and ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
[30]
Gove welcomes reappointment of Amanda Spielman as Chair of ...
Apr 15, 2014 · Amanda Spielman was first appointed as the Chair of Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) in 2011.
[31]
Calls rise to a clamour for independent GCSE inquiry | Tes Magazine
Her comments follow the release of emails last week showing that exam boards Edexcel and WJEC were concerned that Ofqual was too involved with the GCSE grading ...
[32]
Education Secretary recommends new Chief Inspector of Ofsted
Jun 10, 2016 · Amanda Spielman is a chartered accountant and has been Chair of Ofqual since 2011. She is also currently an adviser to ARK, which she cofounded.
[33]
Amanda Spielman confirmed as next Ofsted Chief Inspector - GOV.UK
Jul 19, 2016 · Amanda Spielman has today been confirmed as the next Chief Inspector of Ofsted after approval by the Privy Council.Missing: date | Show results with:date
[34]
New Ofsted chief: 'I want everyone to see us as a force for ...
Jan 9, 2017 · In her first interview as chief inspector of England's schools, Amanda Spielman says she will start by examining the very purpose of Ofsted.Missing: siblings | Show results with:siblings<|control11|><|separator|>
[35]
Ofsted's findings about the school curriculum
Oct 11, 2017 · All pupils benefit from a broad and rich curriculum. We've found that the curriculum for lower attaining pupils often reduces their ability to study EBacc ...
[36]
Ofsted and the harm done by school league tables - The Guardian
Jun 26, 2017 · The new head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, says schools should be ashamed of some of the tactics used to bolster their league standings.
[37]
Chief Inspector sets out vision for new Education Inspection ...
Oct 11, 2018 · Amanda Spielman proposes 4 new inspection judgements · schools will no longer receive a separate grade for outcomes for pupils · focus will be on ...Missing: methodology | Show results with:methodology
[38]
Education inspection framework 2019: inspecting the substance of ...
Ofsted has, for some time, intended to introduce grading and reporting on individual colleges within college groups as part of the overall inspection.
[39]
What does Ofsted's new Inspection Framework mean for schools?
But at Ofsted, Amanda Spielman has overseen a transparent review process, which has seen the new Inspection Framework draw strongly on research evidence ...Missing: reforms methodology
[40]
Changes made to school inspections - GOV.UK
Jun 12, 2023 · In April, Ofsted's Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman made a statement broadly setting out some changes Ofsted was considering making to ...
[41]
[PDF] The Education Inspection Framework 2019 - Natspec
Consultation on the Education inspection framework 2019. 6. '…an evolution, not a revolution.' Amanda Spielman on the 2019 inspection framework (Wellington.
[42]
Ofsted chief admits to 'culture of fear' around England's school ...
Apr 23, 2023 · Spielman defended the inspection at Caversham primary school, which rated the school as good in four out of five categories but downgraded it to ...
[43]
HMCI's commentary: recent primary and secondary curriculum ...
Oct 11, 2017 · Ofsted's Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, discusses findings from recent research into the primary and secondary curriculum.
[44]
Ofsted's new inspection arrangements to focus on curriculum ...
May 14, 2019 · From September 2019, Ofsted will refocus inspections of schools, early years settings and further education and skills providers.
[45]
Amanda Spielman at the 'Wonder Years' curriculum conference
Jan 26, 2019 · The Chief Inspector discussed curriculum and Ofsted's proposed education inspection framework at 'The Wonder Years' Knowledge Curriculum Conference.
[46]
Early reading and the education inspection framework – Ofsted
Nov 4, 2019 · Gill Jones, our Deputy Director for Early Education, sets out how we look at early reading and phonics teaching as part of our new inspections.Missing: policy | Show results with:policy
[47]
how schools in 'left behind' areas can improve - GOV.UK
Jan 8, 2020 · 415 schools in England are 'stuck' in a cycle of low performance and need better and more tailored support to improve, a new Ofsted report has found.
[48]
Ofsted defensive and complacent after Ruth Perry's death - review
Sep 3, 2024 · One of many criticisms is that the regulator did not tell all its staff what had happened to Ruth Perry.
[49]
Former Ofsted chief says Ruth Perry inspection was error-free
Apr 3, 2024 · Ofsted's former chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, has refused to concede that her organisation made errors in its handling of the inspection that contributed ...
[50]
Giving ex-Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman seat in Lords is an insult ...
Mar 30, 2025 · An independent review into how Ofsted handled Ms Perry's death found in 2024 it was “defensive and complacent”. Ms Spielman, who served as the ...
[51]
Statement opposing Amanda Spielman's peerage - Headrest
Mar 31, 2025 · We oppose this vehemently. There has been substantial media coverage regarding the proposed peerage to be awarded to Amanda Spielman, the former Ofsted Chief ...
[52]
Spielman: Ofsted 'lightning rod' for wider school discontent
Apr 23, 2023 · Chief inspector points to 'wider disagreement' in sector over pay and funding when challenged on criticism following Ruth Perry death.
[53]
Ofsted chief accuses minority groups of 'entitlement' in hijab row
Jul 9, 2018 · The head of Ofsted has again stepped into the debate over the wearing of the hijab by primary school pupils, accusing minority groups with a “sense of ...<|separator|>
[54]
Former Ofsted chief says she was regularly accused of 'anti-Judaism'
Oct 7, 2025 · Former Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman told a Conservative Party conference event that she was “regularly” accused of “anti-Judaism” ...
[55]
Amanda Spielman's War on Religion in Great Britain | National Review
Jan 28, 2019 · Amanda Spielman was an odd choice for England chief regulator of schools. Spielman, who comes from the private-equity world, was staunchly ...
[56]
Ofsted inspectors should 'hand in badges' to support Ruth Perry ...
Apr 29, 2023 · Ms Spielman has said Ofsted's one-word assessments, which have been criticised for being too simplistic, are easier for parents to understand.<|separator|>
[57]
Ofsted chief inspector to step down - CYP Now
Mar 16, 2023 · Ofsted's chief inspector Amanda Spielman is to leave at the end of the year after more than six years leading the inspectorate.
[58]
Ofsted: DfE seeks 'outstanding' chief inspector to replace Amanda ...
Mar 14, 2023 · Applications to be the next Ofsted chief inspector, to replace Amanda Spielman, will close in early April, according to a new Department for ...
[59]
Amanda Spielman's speech to the Confederation of School Trusts ...
Oct 6, 2023 · English, RE , and personal development will all follow in December and the others in 2024. Working with the Confederation of School Trusts ...
[60]
Holding the education system to account | Amanda Spielman
Apr 15, 2024 · ... policy ideas are heard and seriously considered so that Australia can prosper. Follow CIS on our Socials; Twitter - https://twitter.com ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
[61]
Former Ofsted chief to speak at NSS conference
Jun 6, 2024 · "Muscular liberalism" advocate Amanda Spielman to speak about religious interference in education at Secularism 2024.Missing: activities | Show results with:activities<|separator|>
[62]
Exclusive Interview: Former UK Ofsted Chief Amanda Spielman ...
Aug 27, 2024 · The UK's former Ofsted Chief, Amanda Spielman, has been appointed Chair of GEMS Education's new Academic Council. Ms Spielman, former Chief ...Missing: OCR | Show results with:OCR
[63]
Ludgate Lecture with Professor Amanda Spielman - Bright Blue
Nov 5, 2024 · For our November event, we will be hosting Professor Amanda Spielman, Former Chief Inspector of OFSTED. Amanda was previously Chair of Ofqual ...Missing: activities | Show results with:activities
[64]
Crown Office | The Gazette
May 13, 2025 · Amanda Mary Victoria Spielman, by the name, style and title of BARONESS SPIELMAN, of Durlston in the County of Dorset. In the afternoon. The ...Missing: peerage | Show results with:peerage
[65]
Introduction: Baroness Spielman - Hansard - UK Parliament
May 12, 2025 · Hansard record of the item : 'Introduction: Baroness Spielman' on Monday 12 May 2025.Missing: House | Show results with:House
[66]
Minutes for 12 May 2025 - House of Lords Business - UK Parliament
May 12, 2025 · Baroness Spielman Amanda Mary Victoria Spielman, having been created Baroness Spielman, of Durlston in the County of Dorset, for life by ...
[67]
Peerage for ex-Ofsted chief 'inappropriate' say heads - Schools Week
Mar 31, 2025 · Concerns follow reports Amanda Spielman will be elevated to the House of Lords by the Conservatives. Lydia Chantler-Hicks. 31 Mar 2025, 11:32.Missing: elevation | Show results with:elevation
[68]
[PDF] HOUSE OF LORDS - Hansard
May 12, 2025 · Monday 12 May 2025. 2.30 pm. Prayers—read by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield. Introduction: Baroness Spielman. 2.39 pm. Amanda Mary Victoria ...
[69]
Baroness Spielman extracts from Public Authorities (Fraud, Error ...
Baroness Spielman contributions to the 15th May 2025 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill debate Thu 15th May 2025 - Lords - Public ...
[70]
Pupil wellbeing checks 'counterproductive', says Spielman
Sep 18, 2025 · Amanda Spielman opposed an amendment to the children's wellbeing and schools bill, currently before the House of Lords, which called for ...
[71]
Amendment 427: 10 Sep 2025: House of Lords debates
Sep 10, 2025 · This amendment concerns the practice of local authorities placing children in unregistered alternative provision. In my view, that should not ...
[72]
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee Stage day 11
Sep 16, 2025 · Baroness Spielman (Con) intervened: Ofsted, where I was chief inspector, took personal development, including children's well-being, very ...
[73]
Baroness Spielman - All Crime and Policing Bill 2024-26 Contributions
Oct 15, 2025 · Those in favour in the Commons spoke of a recent increase in investigations and prosecution. They spoke of women abused and pressured into ...
[74]
https://spuc.org.uk/two-peers-attempt-to-halt-abortion-up-to-birth/
[75]
Spoken contributions of Baroness Spielman - MPs and Lords
Review the Hansard spoken contributions of Baroness Spielman. Individual debates are shown below, and you can expand them to show individual spoken ...