MAT leader set to become Ofsted’s new chief inspector
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, July 20, 2023
The chief executive of a multi-academy trust (MAT) has been recommended by the Education Secretary to become Ofsted’s new chief inspector.
Gillian Keegan has announced that she is recommending Sir Martyn Oliver as a replacement for current chief inspector Amanda Spielman, who will step down from the post at the end of the year.
Oliver is chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT), a MAT with 41 primary, junior, secondary and alternative provision academies in the North of England.
Ten of the trust’s schools are rated “outstanding” by the inspectorate.
Oliver was knighted in 2022 in the Queen’s birthday honours list for services to education.
Keegan said: “I am confident the breadth of Martyn’s experience will enable him to build on this vital work as Ofsted moves into the future.”
He will be appointed to the role subject to a pre-appointment hearing held by the Education Select Committee in September.
Oliver added: “I am deeply honoured and hugely privileged to have been recommended for this role. Subject to the pre-appointment hearing, I can promise that I will work extremely hard and very closely with the whole sector so that we can together build on what has been done to date to create the best system in all areas of education, children's services and skills for the benefit of children and young people.”
Keegan’s recommendation comes amid a series of reforms by the inspectorate in response to criticism following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry after her school was rated “inadequate”. Caversham Primary School in Berkshire has since been reinspected and upgraded to “good”.
