It has been suggested that her new inspection framework favours a knowledge-rich curriculum, and now she’s going to face her own test of recall on national television.

Her Majesty’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman may feel like she’s back in the classroom as she goes toe-to-toe with formidable question master Jeremy Paxman in a special episode of University Challenge this Christmas.

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University Challenge: The teachers’ edition

Those tuning in to BBC Two at 7.30pm on Monday 23 December can catch the Ofsted chief on the “Christmas quiz for grown-ups”. Her team, representing Clare College, the University of Cambridge, also includes newspaper columnist Allison Pearson, novelist and broadcaster Marcel Theroux, and singer Elin Manahan Thomas. 

Ofsted boss vs Jeremy Paxman

They face a University of Leeds team featuring the Rev Richard Coles, formerly part of 1980s’ pop band The Communards, and comedian Tim Allen. The non-celebrity version of the popular television quiz has previously made education author Daisy Christodoulou and maths teacher Bobby Seagull famous names.

Ms Spielman said: “I was invited to represent my old college, Clare College, on the Christmas edition of University Challenge and I jumped at the chance. It was a fun Saturday and great to meet Jeremy Paxman.”