Amanda Spielman

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

Timeline

Oct.2018Spielman accused schools of squandering the generous funding they enjoyed in the past, saying there was little evidence that the money had improved pupils’ education. She also said there was no evidence that cuts to school budgets were affecting standards.[1]
Sept.2018OfSted's effectiveness was criticised by the Public Accounts Committee, whose members said Spielman was reluctant to criticise the govt. OfSted was was also criticised for "misinforming parliament" about its inspection targets. Spielman said she hadn't seen any evidence that funding cuts were affecting educational standards.[2]
Jul.2018Speaking at the Hay Festival of Literature & ArtsWikipedia-W.svg to Ann Mroz, editor of the Times Educational Supplement, Spielman was derided, with comments such as "listening to Spielman amply confirms the Select Committee’s view", referring to the Education Committee's rejection of her nomination in Jul.2016.[3]
Apr.2018Teaching to the test: Spielman asserted that testing is part of the problem and not part of the solution. Tim Oates rebutted her statement, saying "The problem is not testing per se, nor “teaching to the test” per se – the problem is our use of predictable forms of standardised testing, in which we create formulaic tests to compensate for our use of inherently unreliable, single-shot assessments, with very small sample sizes."[4]
Mar.2018Hijab: The National Education Union voted to challenge Spielman's orders to School Inspectors in Nov.2017. The motion accused Spielman of going beyond her remit.[5]
Dec.2017OfSted's annual report warned that a rising number of conservative religious schools were actively undermining British values and equality law. It found that schools were “deliberately choosing” not to meet standards, due to the tensions between legal requirements and community expectations. [6]
Nov.2017Hijab: Spielman told School Inspectors in England to question Muslim primary school girls if they are wearing a hijab or similar headscarf. She said wearing a hijab "could be interpreted as sexualisation" of girls as young as 4 or 5, when most Islamic teaching requires headdress for girls only at the onset of puberty.[7]
Jul.2016Selected by Education Secretary Nicola Morgan to take over as chief inspector of schools and children's services in England, to replace Sir Michael Wilshaw. Following a pre-appointment hearing, the Education Committee rejected Spielman's nomination; it had "significant concerns" about her suitability, citing her lack of experience and failure to show understanding of the "complex role".[8][9]
Cronyism? Nevertheless, Nicola Morgan dismissed the Education Committee's decision, asserting "100% confidence" in her decision. The National Union of Teachers said "The govt's education policies are rapidly becoming a parody".[10]
2011-2016Chair of OfQual (part-time), the exam regulator.
2004-Part of the founding management team at Ark Schools, an academy operator which now has 30+ schools.
2001-2004Part-time study, consultancy and voluntary work and maternity leave.
1997-2001A principal at Nomura International plc, equity investments through corporate acquisitions.
1995-1997A partner at Mercer Management Consulting, Boston; financial and market analysis techniques to assist corporate strategy and marketing strategy development.
1994-1995Director of Bridgewater Business Analysis, a consultancy specialising in media, telecoms and business services.
1992-1994Co-founder and director of Newstead Capital, a financing boutique, advising on asset-backed finance.
1986-1992Manager, Corporate Finance at Kleinwort Benson, an investment bank.
1982-1986KMG Thomson McLintock, a member firm of KPMG Audit plc, one of the Big Four auditors.

Early Biography Source: Appendix 5: Details of the preferred candidate. Appointment of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Parliament.uk. Accessed Sept.12.2018.

References

  1. ^ Extra funding for schools wasted, says Ofsted chief. Rosemary Bennett, The Times, Oct.31.2018.
  2. ^ Ofsted chief rejects MPs' claims it is underperforming. Amanda Spielman defends schools watchdog after critical report calls for improvement. Richard Adams, The Guardian, Sept.07.2018.
  3. ^ Amanda Spielman talks to Ann Mroz at the Hay Festival. Mike Newman, SEA Cymru, Social Educational Association, Jul.01.2018.
  4. ^ Untangling the curriculum (1). Tim Oates, Ed Tech Now, Apr.18.2018.
  5. ^ Hijab ban attempt is 'racism dressed up as liberalism', teachers' conference told. Union votes to challenge Ofsted chief’s linking of hijab to sexualisation of young girls. Richard Adams, The Guardian, Apr.01.2018.
  6. ^ Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman received 'venomous' abuse after questioning faith schools. The Independent, Dec.16.2017.
  7. ^ Inspectors to question primary school girls who wear hijab. Ofsted head says move is to tackle situations in which wearing head covering ‘could be interpreted as sexualisation’. Richard Adams, The Guardian, Nov.19.2017.
  8. ^ Ofsted Chief Inspector candidate rejected by Committee. The House of Commons Education Committee has reported that it is unable to support the appointment of Amanda Spielman, the Government's preferred candidate to succeed Sir Michael Wilshaw as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills (HMCI). Commons Select Committee, Parliament.uk, Jul.07.2016.
  9. ^ Nicky Morgan to force through choice of new Ofsted chief. Sean Coughlan, BBC News, Jul.07.2016.
  10. ^ Morgan defies fellow MPs on new Ofsted boss by appointing chief they rejected after saying she lacked 'vision and passion'. Eleanor Harding, The Mail Online, Jul.08.2016.