25 members were elected in April: 11 teachers of junior pupils (under 12 years); 11 teachers of senior pupils (over 12 years); one special school teacher; one primary head teacher and one secondary headteacher. To be elected, teachers must have worked as a teacher within a year of being elected; they must also have taught for at least two years in the five years leading up to the election.

Trade union members

Nine teacher members appointed by the main teaching unions: two each from the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers; one each from the Secondary Heads Association, the National Association of Head Teachers and the Professional Association of Teachers.

Major representative bodies

17 members were appointed by major representative bodies: the Local Government Association has three members on the Council; the others have one member each.

Education Secretary’s appointments

The Secretary of State had 13 appointments. Two of these were used to appoint the chair, Lord Puttnam, who will serve for up to 18 months, and vice-chair, John Tomlinson. He also appointed eight teachers, two parents and an accountant.

Chief executive

The position of chief executive was advertised in the national press. Carol Adams was the successful candidate, and took up her role in late 1999.

Geographical spread The members are drawn from across England, reaching from Clare Easterbrook, a nursery teacher in Ivybridge in the South-west to Norma Redfearn, a junior teacher in Newcastle upon Tyne; NUT member Peter Bishop, from Birkenhead in the West, to a secondary school teacher in Saxmundham in Suffolk, Andy Barker.

Representation is weakest in the Midlands (three members from Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham) and strongest in Greater London, where 16 people, including Lord Puttnam, are based.

Two dozen members live north of the Wash.

Gender divide

Women have the upper hand: 38 members are female, including the chief executive, with just 27 men.

But there would need to be 44 women and 21 men to reflect the gender balance of active teachers.

All of the elected teacher members and nominated members hold office for four years. The Secretary of State for Education’s appointments hold office for two, three, four or five years, in order to provide a degree of flexibility and continuity to the membership. The next round of nominations and elections will be held in 2004.

Andrew Connell Secondary teacher Cumbria

Has taught history since 1969 after winning scholarship to Oxford. Wants greater understanding between teachers, officials and politicians.

Gail Mortimer Secondary teacher Rochdale

MA from the University of Manchester. Has taught full-time for 24 years in the state comprehensive system. Currently a head of English.

Carole Regan Secondary teacher Enfield, London

Became a teacher after working as a secretary. Active member of NUT, and past president of the union.

Alice Robinson Secondary teacher Lancashire

Has taught for 27 years, many of them as a special education needs co-ordinator. Has experience in both pastoral and academic fields.

Hans Ruyssenaars Secondary teacher Middlesbrough

Has taught modern languages for more than 20 years. Expects GTC to contribute to better deal for staff.

Anthea Tulloch Bisgrove Secondary teacher Essex

Head of English at ecumenical Christian comprehensive. Spoke at International Reading Association’s US convention.

David Dewhirst Special school teacher Wakefield

Head of special school in Leeds. Involved in local politics and on National Advisory Committee for Special Education.

Vicki Paterson Primary head Lewisham, London

Taught in primaries for 22 years and has been head in inner London for 11. National Professional Qualification for Headship tutor and assessor.

Tony Neal Secondary head Lincolnshire

Taught for 34 years, including 20 years as head or deputy. Served as county and national officer for the Secondary Heads’ Association.

Sarah Bowie Primary teacher Leeds

Professional expertise and experience of early years’ education as nursery teacher, and in key stage 2. Currently teacher governor.

Marilyn Harrop Primary teacher Sunderland

Teacher representative to school’s governing body; active member of Wearside NUT; involved in politics and church; 27 years’ experience.

Norma Redfearn Primary teacher Newcastle-upon-Tyne

30 years’ teaching in primary and secondary schools, including three years as teacher adviser. Won Award for Leadership.

Anthony Handley Secondary teacher Lewisham, London

Has taught modern languages for 13 years, including a year in France and five years at Munich University. Currently a head of year.

Martin Scotchmer Secondary teacher Somerset

Began teaching after two years in oil industry, has taught physicsscience in secondaries for 25 years. Keen on science curriculum development.

Anthony Cuthbert Primary teacher Wolverhampton

Twenty-six years’ teaching experience; strong interest in science. Now studying for MSc in own time.

Peter Britcliffe Primary teacher Lancashire

Former teacher with special education needs co-ordinator experience; 16 years as councillor; Conservative leader of Hyndburn Borough Council.

Derek Johns Primary teacher Essex

Co-ordinator of information technology, physical education and special educational needs.

Ralph Manning Primary teacher Norfolk

Entered teaching in 1994 after 16 years in the IT industry. Curriculum interests in maths and ICT, and management of the wider curriculum.

Helen Meaney Primary teacher Hertfordshire

Experience of school-based initial training; mentoring student teachers; behaviour management of children with emotional difficulties.

Sheila Mountain Primary teacher Oxfordshire

26 years’ experience of teaching in inner-city schools, as language co-ordinator, year leader, SENCO and deputy head.

Rosemary Clarke Primary head Hampshire

Involved in LEA decision-making through Primary Heads’ Conference, as NUT county secretary and as member of Teacher Liaison Panel.

Andy Barker Secondary teacher Suffolk

Recently qualified as teacher, having worked as a police officer in Essex and as a merchant seaman.

David Belfield Secondary teacher Hampshire

Craft, design and technology teacher with 33 years’ classroom experience. Has served in Royal Naval Reserve for 28 years.

Mary Gibbon Secondary teacher South Tyneside

28 years’ teaching experience at comprehensive school in Tyne and Wear. Member of the Economics and Business Education Association.

Jo Gough Primary teacher North Yorks

Experience as acting head, deputy head, staff co-ordinator and governor. Trained mentor: worked closely with business partnerships.

Elected members www.tes.co.uk Carol Adams Chief executive

Former history teacher, inspector and chief education officer. Member of Standards Task Force since 1997. Member of the National Education Research Forum.

John Tomlinson Vice-chairman

Career spanning educational administration culminating as academic secretary of the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers. Chaired campaign for a GTC.

Gillian Stainthorpe ATL, Manchester

Teaches children for whom English is additional language. Chair of ATL Special Educational Needs Committee. Teacher representative on local education committee.

Elizabeth Paver NAHT, Doncaster

Early years’ practitioner for 33 years, and has spent the past 24 years as a head. National president of the National Association of Head Teachers in 199798.

Usha Devi Primary deputy head Birmingham

Deputy head. Trained mentor, responsible for professional development, initial teacher training, child protection and home-school partnerships.

Margaret Morgan NASUWT Devon

Currently deputy principal of Ilfracombe College, Devon. Former national president of NASUWT and is member of national executive.

Elizabeth Diggory Independent secondary head H’smith amp; Fulham

Head of an independent day school for girls. Former president of the Girls’ Schools Association.

Clare Easterbrook Nursery teacher Ivybridge

Teacher for 17 years. Extensive experience and interest in early years’ education, including special needs.

Alison Fisher Parent Huddersfield

Parent-governor of a primary; parent-governor representative on LEA lifelong learning management board. Works for W Yorks Probation Service.

Hazel Harding Local Government Association Lancashire

Chair of education and cultural services for county council and member of LGA’s education executive. Ex- journalist.

Ronnie Norman Local Government Association Kent

Career in accountancy and banking. County councillor; committee chair in education since 1989.

Philippa Stobbs National Children’s Bureau, London

Started teaching in 1973 and is now principal officer at the Council for Disabled Children. Mainly involved in policy work.

Christine Gale National Governors’ Council Swindon

Chair of NGC. Has previously been a midwife, has run her own business for 16 years and worked in marketing.

Lynn Lee Sixth-form college principal Hampshire

30 years’ experience in education. Served on Tomlinson Committee which produced Inclusive Learning report.

Bushra Nasir Secondary head Hampshire

Has been teaching for 25 years, seven as head. Current school has just been awarded beacon status. Secretary of Muslim Teachers’ Association.

Sashi Siva Secondary teacher Brent

Teacher for eight years in London with Advanced Skills Teacher Status. Has led pastoral and curriculum teams.

Philip Withers PAT, Hull

Currently information and communication technology co-ordinator and year leader in a large primary. National chair of the Professional Association of Teachers.

Ann Mullins SHA, Islington, London

Head of inner-city girls’ comprehensive, member of the Secondary Heads’ Association executive, chair of initial teacher-training partnership board, university governor.

Eileen Baker Standing Conference of Principals Lincolnshire

Principal of Bishop Grosseteste higher education college. Eight years’ experience as an inspector.

Chris Cook Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers Hertfordshire

Head of education department at University of Hertfordshire since 1991.

Eugene Sullivan Head of Public Sector Services Audit

Head of Public Sector Services in RSM Robson Rhodes, specialising in public bodies. An auditor, accountant and management consultant.

Naila Zaffar Primary head

Education career spans 17 years, the past eight as a head. Involved in the Black Teachers’ Forum and is keen to promote good links with ethnic minority groups.

John Beattie ATL, Exeter

Teacher since 1966; has held departmental, pastoral and whole-school posts. Former member of National Association for the Teaching of English.

Conchita Henry Association of Colleges

Has lectured in FE for 20 years. Currently quality manager at Lewisham College and part-time FEFC inspector.

Oona Stannard Catholic Education Service

Director of Catholic Education Service following 10 years’ experience as member of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate. Taught in inner London.

John Hall Church of England Westminster

Taught RE before ordination, then took up parochial ministry in London. Headed Church of England board of education.

Phil Barnett Commission for Racial Equality Westminster

Worked as senior FE lecturer in London and as an LEA inspector. Is director of policy and communications for the CRE.

Sandra Burslem Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals Manchester

Vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University. Member of FEFC and QCA.

Rudi Plaut Confederation of British Industry Cardiff

Chartered engineer and company chairman. Chair of Curriculum Council for Wales, 1993-98.

Ian Chambers Parent Chester

Currently works as a Mediation Service manager; previously a senior youth worker in Liverpool. Former teacher.

Valerie Dennis Secondary teacher Redbridge

Secondary teacher for past 13 years with experience in managing the inclusive education for students with special educational needs.

Michael Carney NASUWT Durham

Teacher in Peterlee, Durham. Former president of National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers; national treasurer since 1992.

Mabel Davis Disability Rights Commission Hertfordshire

Head of special school for profoundly deaf children. Involved in pioneering social-inclusion initiatives.

Anne Madden Equal Opportunities Commission Manchester

Director of policy and lead officer on educational and training matters for the EOC.

Ian Beer Independent Schools’ Council Herefordshire

Chair of Independent Schools’ Council. Former chair of Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference.

David Cornwell Local Government Association Richmond

Experienced local councillor and governor, has worked full-time in local government since 1988.

Peter Bishop NUT Wirral

Head of primary in disadvantaged area for past 15 years. Primary representative on Wirral education committee.

Judy Moorhouse NUT North Yorkshire

Head of year and member of learning support department at a rural comprehensive. NUT chair of education and equal opportunities.

Christine Gilbert Association of Chief Education Officers

Corporate director (education) in London borough of Tower Hamlets. Previously director of education in Harrow following 18 years’ teaching.

David Puttnam Chairman

Film producer. Only non-American to head a Hollywood studio. Member of Education Standards Task Force. Chairman of the Trustees of the National Teaching Awards.