Her successor is Trevor Millum, a poet, short story writer, former head of English and information technology enthusiast, whose varied career has included research in cultural studies with Professor Richard Hoggart as well as a spell teaching English and history in Zambia.

Dr Millum’s title will be development and communications director and he will be working from his home in Barrow-upon-Humber. He is especially interested in using ICT to enhance English teaching and learning.

Mrs Barnes, who is retiring after seven years as general secretary, will still be involved in the association’s work as chair of the NATE 14-19 committee.

James Dyson CBE has been appointed chairman of the Design Museum, in succession to Sir Terence Conran. Mr Dyson, who designed such revolutionary products as the Dual Cyclone vacuum cleaner, gave a large sum to the museum in 1997 which enabled it to establish the Dyson Centre for Design Education and Training. Since opening, the centre has been of benefit to more than 10,000 students, from primary to higher education levels, as well as the general public.

Stephen Dunmore has been appointed the first chief executive of the New Opportunities Fund, the body set up to distribute funds from the National Lottery to health, education and environment initiatives across the UK.

Mr Dunmore, who has been acting chief executive since last April, had previously worked in the Department of the Environment and as director of regeneration, transport and planning in the Government Office for Merseyside. Current initiatives of the New Opportunities Fund include pound;400m for out-of-school-hours education and childcare and pound;300m for training teachers and librarians in new technology.

The Professional Association of Teachers has appointed Jean Gemmell, formerly headteacher of Fernwood comprehensive in Nottingham, as senior professional officer. She will work on professional development, member benefits, local organisation and recruitment strategies, as well as contributing to the association’s education policy.

The Reverend Roger Marsh, head of St George’s School. Windsor Castle, is to leave in the summer and become senior chaplain of Lancing College.

Mr Marsh, wants to return to a pastoral ministry after some 13 years as a head. While he has been at St George’s, he has overseen a rise in the number of pupils from 64 to 173, a pound;1.6m appeal, a building and refurbishment programme, the establishment of a pre-prep department and the introduction of co-education.

Diana Leonard, reader in women’s studies in education at London University’s Institute of Education, has been made professor in the sociology of education and gender.

Anthea Tulloch Bisgrove is to chair the Association of Christian Teachers. At 33 Mrs Tulloch Bisgrove, head of English at the Davenant Foundation School in Essex, is the youngest person and first woman to become chair of the ACT, which has 2,800 members teaching all subjects in all types of school in England. She succeeds Simon Marsh, head of St Mary Magdalene School in Islington, who has chaired the association since 1993.