A history graduate of St Anne’s College, Oxford, she worked for four years as a reporter and news editor at our sister paper, The Times Higher Education Supplement in the 1970s, before spending 11 years at the Observer, latterly as education correspondent.

She can lay claim to one of the biggest education scoops of recent years, having revealed former chief inspector Chris Woodhead’s 1999 admission to a group of trainee teachers that teacher-student relationships could be “educative”.

As associate editor, Mrs Judd will be responsible for overseeing the paper’s nes content and will take charge of the analysis pages. She will also be an ambassador for the paper, speaking at conferences and meeting teachers.

TES editor Bob Doe said: “We are delighted that a journalist of Judith’s stature and experience has chosen to join The TES. She will add immensely to the paper’s authority and insight.”

Married with two teenage children, Mrs Judd can also claim to offer a special insight into our religious coverage: her husband Peter is the dean of Chelmsford Cathedral.

“I am delighted to be joining the successful team at The TES at a time when the paper is developing in such exciting ways, and when so much is happening in the teaching profession,” said Mrs Judd.