Education charity appoints former Ofsted chief to lead its board

Government backed research charity the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has appointed Dame Christine Gilbert, the former chief inspector of schools’ at regulator Ofsted, to be its next chair.

She replaces Sir Peter Lampl, who set up the charity more than a decade in 2011 with a £125m grant from the Department for Education (DfE).

He will continue to support the organisation as emeritus chair.

Gilbert, who was chief inspector at Ofsted for five years until 2011, has been an EEF trustee since January this year and takes over as chair in early 2024.

She is also chair of schools partnership Camden Learning, joint chair of the Area-based Education Partnership Association and visiting Professor at UCL Institute of Education.

Last year then education secretary Nadhim Zahawi confirmed the DfE will continue funding the charity when its current endowment ends in 2026.

“I’m extremely proud to have guided the EEF to become such an amazing organisation since I led the successful bid for £125m of government funding to set up the foundation in 2011,” said Lampl.

“The EEF has set new standards for educational research and provided an invaluable resource for a wide range of teachers, school leaders and policy makers. 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."

Dame Christine – who will step up to her new role in January 2024 - brings significant experience and knowledge of the English education system.

Find out more: https://t.co/MUARNV4IsD

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— EEF (@EducEndowFoundn) August 14, 2023

Gilbert added: “I’ve seen first-hand the power that great teaching can have on improving outcomes for all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The EEF plays such an important role in this by supporting schools, early years settings, and colleges to make best use of evidence.

“Over the past decade, the EEF has become a much-respected part of the English education landscape.”