Unity Howard is set to leave her role as the director of the New Schools Network, it was announced today.
She will be replaced at the charity, which champions free schools, by Sophie Harrison-Byrne, who is currently its director of programmes.
Ms Howard has worked for the charity since 2014, when she joined as an intern. She will leave the director role in September.
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She said: “When I joined NSN as an intern seven years ago, I never imagined I would one day be leading the team. NSN is such a fantastic organisation and I feel incredibly proud of the work we have done together...
“It has been a privilege to work with so many in the education sector, all connected through their commitment to ensuring the very best for children across the country, and I will miss the role greatly.
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“Sophie will be a fantastic director, and I look forward to watching NSN continue to grow from strength to strength over the coming years.”
The New Schools Network was set up in 2009 by Rachel Wolf, a former adviser to Michael Gove, who went on to become education secretary.
It helped to support the delivery of the incoming coalition government’s free schools policy after the 2010 general election.
Howard’s predecessors include Baroness Evans, now the Conservative leader of the House of Lords; Nick Timothy, who went on to be Theresa May’s joint chief of staff when she was prime minister; the social commentator Toby Young; and Luke Tryl, who was a former special adviser to Nicky Morgan when she was education secretary.
Ms Harrison-Byrne said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role as director of NSN. Having been here for several years, I know the positive impact new schools and strong trusts have on communities, and I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the team as we continue to drive and deliver improvement in the sector.
“It’s been fantastic to work closely with Unity over the past six years and I want to thank her for everything she has done, particularly throughout the pandemic. She will be missed by everybody at NSN and I know our network will want to join me in wishing her the best.”
