A former chief inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate has been appointed as Ofsted’s next chair.

Dame Christine Ryan will replace Professor Julius Weinberg from August 1, education secretary Gavin Williamson announced today.

He said Ryan brings a “wealth of experience in the education sector to her new role”.

“I am confident that alongside chief inspector Amanda Spielman, we have the right team to lead Ofsted in this crucial period as we work together to support schools, colleges, nurseries and local authorities to handle the impact of coronavirus,” Williamson added.

“I am very grateful to the outgoing chair Professor Julius Weinberg for all his work over the past three and half years.”

Ryan was the chief inspector of the Independent Schools Inspectorate – the organisation that inspects independent schools, which are outside of Ofsted’s remit – from 2005 to 2017.

She also currently serves on the board of exams regulator Ofqual and is chair of TalentEd – an educational charity for disadvantaged young people.

Ryan, who was made a Dame in the 2018 new year’s honours list, said: “I am truly privileged to be invited to serve as chair of Ofsted and recognise the great personal responsibility this role brings.

“I will work tirelessly to support Ofsted in its essential duty of improving education and care for all our children and young people.”

According to the job advert, which launched in March, the Ofsted chair role requires two days a week of work, as well as bi-monthly board meetings, usually in London and “other events throughout the year across the country”. It is paid a salary of £46,800 a year.

The chair’s job is to “support and appropriately challenge the organisation”, and lead the board in setting strategic priorities, objectives and targets for the chief inspector, and “ensure that HMCI’s functions are performed efficiently and effectively”.

The chair also gives advice to the education secretary “on the performance of HMCI’s functions”.

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