Julie Roberts is to become head of Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry from September. She is currently deputy head at King Edward VI Grammar in Louth, Lincolnshire.
Dr Roberts trained as an English and music teacher. She has taught in many parts of England and completed her doctorate in strategic leadership in education in 2008. She will take over from Peter Kent, the school’s executive headteacher.
Bob Fryer is the new chair of the Campaign for Learning, the national charity behind campaigns promoting active participation in learning. Professor Fryer, who takes over from Simon Fuchs, has a distinguished career in lifelong learning. His appointments include chief learning adviser and director of widening participation at the Department of Health, assistant vice-chancellor at Southampton University and principal of Northern College.
Elizabeth Sidwell, chief executive of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation in south-east London, has been appointed a CBE for services to local and national education.
Following her doctorate in economic geography at the London School of Economics, Dr Sidwell began her career in education in the independent sector. In 1991, she was promoted to the headship of Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College in Lewisham. She is also an associate member of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference, an Ofsted inspector and a consultant for the Girls’ Day School Trust. She is also on the board of Wellington College.
Estelle Morris, former education secretary, is to become chairman of Northern Education consultancy. Baroness Morris of Yardley started her career as a teacher at Sidney Stringer School and Community College in Coventry in 1974 before being elected a member of Warwick District Council and entering politics. She is chairman of the strategy board at the Institute of Effective Education at the University of York and is active in a number of organisations in both education and the arts.
Meanwhile, Les Walton, the current chairman and founder of Northern Education, has been appointed chair of the new Young People’s Learning Agency committee, a non-departmental public body that aims to support local authorities to commission high-quality provision for all young people.
Anne Watson and Lynne McClure will join the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education in 2010. Professor Watson has a chair in mathematics education at Oxford University and is a fellow of its postgraduate Linacre College. She taught for 13 years in maintained comprehensives before moving into academia.
Ms McClure has taught mathematics in primary and secondary schools, and mathematics education in further and higher education institutions.
JANET ESTEVES
Most teachers would refute suggestions that their work is “a bit Mickey Mouse” - but not Janet Esteves. The 54-year-old, now retired, has set a new world record after hoarding duvet covers, musical instruments, biscuit tins and even shower curtains featuring the cartoon character - 2,760 items in total. Her favourite is a sketch by Disney artist Paul Banner inscribed “to Mickey’s girlfriend” - Janet’s nickname for herself. Janet, from Florida, admits she is jealous of Minnie Mouse and will only refer to Mickey’s mate as “she”.