Joyce’s interim replacement at Ofsted revealed

Ofsted has appointed Denise Olander as temporary deputy director for FE and skills following the resignation of Paul Joyce.

Joyce’s departure was announced last month after 20 years at the watchdog. He will become deputy principal at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College this summer.

Olander’s appointment was announced internally on Thursday. She starts immediately and is expected to be in the role for around six months while the inspectorate advertises for a permanent replacement.

The change in FE leadership at Ofsted comes amid plans to replace current inspection reports with new-style report cards. The plan has attracted early criticism as while it removes overall judgments, the watchdog wants to introduce potentially 20 areas where colleges will be graded.

Lee Owston, Ofsted’s national director for Education, said: “I am pleased to announce that we have appointed Denise Olander HMI as our temporary deputy director, post-16 education, training and skills.

“Having worked with Denise for some time now, I know she will bring a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge to the role.”

Olander has worked as an inspector since 2014 in the FE and skills team.

Her biography on Ofsted’s website states that she is a qualified teacher with a master’s degree in leadership and management.

Prior to working for Ofsted, Olander worked at multiple large colleges with responsibilities including provision for learners aged 14 to 16, foundation learning, ESOL, looked-after children, NEET, adult community and subcontractors and college franchises.

“Denise has particular expertise in leading inspections of general further education, sixth form and independent specialist colleges and offender learning,” Ofsted’s website added.

Olander said: “I am very excited to be stepping up to the role of deputy director post-16 education, training and skills for the next six months.

“Having worked across FE colleges for over 21 years and across FES and ITE HMI roles for over 10 years, I look forward to taking on this new role. This is a very important time for the sector, and I am looking forward to working closely with you.”

Billy Camden

Billy was appointed deputy editor in January 2019. He began his career with FE Week on a work experience placement while studying for his degree in journalism in 2014 before leaving university and working his way up the ranks. He began as a junior for sister publication Schools Week, when it was first known as Academies Week, before holding a joint role across both titles and then moving solely onto FE Week in late-2016. Along his way he has been nominated for various awards including in the CIPR’s Outstanding Further Education Journalist category and the Press Gazette’s Specialist Journalist of the Year category. Billy recently moved back to Essex where he grew up. When not working, you can find him in the gym, at the pub, and playing football (in that order).

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