My early professional years were in London, first as a Geography teacher in Brixton, then a College of Education lecturer. A four year break from London was as Deputy Head at Bicester School, Oxon. Then back to the inner city as Headteacher of Islington Green School followed by the Directorship of a new Islington 6th Form Centre, 1983-86.
A year as a Principal Officer (Tertiary Planning) in the ILEA led me to local authority work at Warwickshire County Council as Director of Education.
After early retirement, I took up a part-time post as the Director of the Centre for Successful Schools, Keele University, 1995-2003.
Alongside paid work, I was a member of the National Commission for Education. 1999-2002, an OECD Scrutineer/Adviser, Deputy Chair at The Basic Skills Agency and most recently, a governor of Peers School (now The Oxford Academy), Oxford.
From 2002 I have been a Trustee/Director at the Royal Opera House and a governor of the Royal Ballet School. London.