The main architect of a controversial plan to bring to bring back grammar schools has been appointed to the Department for Education as a non-executive board member.

Nick Timothy was the adviser behind Theresa May’s plan to lift the ban on creating more grammar schools, who served as her joint chief of staff until his resignation in the wake of the 2017 general election result in which the Conservatives lost their majority.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Nick Timothy will bring a range of experience that will support our work as we continue to develop our world-leading education system.”

Exclusive: Grammar schools’ ‘insult’ to teachers as sixth-formers coach 11-plus

Read: Grammar schools ‘are revolutionary for disadvantaged pupils’

Exclusive: 700 pupils get grammar places without passing 11+

Mr Timothy is also a visiting professor at the University of Sheffield, and formerly a director of the New Schools Network, a charity that helps people to set up free schools.

He is an author, newspaper columnist and a member of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee. His other experience across Whitehall and Westminster includes serving in the Home Office.