A former Ofsted chief inspector is to become the new chair of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), it has been announced today.
Dame Christine Gilbert, who served as Ofsted chief inspector between 2006 and 2011, will replace Sir Peter Lampl at the beginning of 2024.
Sir Peter, who was primarily responsible for the founding of the charity in 2011, will take up the role of emeritus chair of the EEF.
Dame Christine is also the joint chair of the Area-based Education Partnership Association and has been a visiting professor at UCL Institute of Education for over 10 years.
She has been a trustee of the EEF since January 2023 and has been appointed to her new role following an open recruitment process.
Dame Christine said she had seen ”first-hand the power that great teaching can have on improving outcomes for all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds”.
She added: “The EEF plays such an important role in this by supporting schools, early years settings and colleges to make the best use of evidence.
“Over the past decade, the EEF has become a much-respected part of the English education landscape. I’ve got to know their work in great depth during my time as a trustee, during which time I’ve been grateful for Sir Peter’s leadership.
“I’m looking forward to beginning my new role as chair and supporting Professor [Becky] Francis and her team to drive forward the work of the EEF and its mission.”
Sir Peter said he was ”extremely proud to have guided the EEF to become such an amazing organisation”.
He added: “The EEF has set new standards for educational research and provided an invaluable resource for a wide range of teachers, school leaders and policymakers. Its recent re-endowment reflects the strong value and recognition of its work across the sector.
“I am delighted that Dame Christine will be succeeding me when my term comes to an end next year. I look forward to continuing my association with the EEF through my emeritus chair role.”
The EEF was set up to break the link between family income and educational attainment by supporting schools, colleges and nurseries.
It was set up in 2011 by the Sutton Trust, in partnership with Impetus, after they led a successful bid for £125 million of government funding.
