Caroline Mallin (right) has been appointed director of communications at the Teacher Training Agency. Ms Mallin, 41, has wide experience as a journalist, trainer of journalists and communications consultant.
From 1993 to 1996 she was head of communications at the Pounds 3 billion CrossRail London transport project and, before that, she was communications manager of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. At the TTA, she will spearhead a recruitment drive for heads and develop the No One Forgets a Good Teacher campaign.
Portsmouth City Council has found a new chief education officer to complete the transfer of the education service from Hampshire county to the city. John Gaskin will take up the post in December, when Andrew Seber, the city’s acting chief education officer, leaves to become county education officer of Hampshire.
Mr Gaskin, who is currently an HMI, was head of education services in the metropolitan borough of Barnsley from 1992. Previously he had spent nearly 20 years with Sheffield LEA.
The Professional Association of Teachers has appointed Alison Johnston as its professional officer for primary and early years. A former PE teacher, acting head and deputy head in Cornwall, Miss Johnston will be working on early-years policy and advising individual members.
Brian Connolly will be the next chairman of the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales. He succeeds Rudi Plaut, and will take up his appointment on October 1. Mr Connolly is the Welsh TUC’s spokesman on education and training and retired recently as head of the Wales and West Country region of the Iron Steel Trades Confederation.
