Christine retired from her role as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (Schools) in July 2016 and is currently working as a self-employed educational consultant. She has had 40 years’ experience of working in primary education.
As an HMI, Christine inspected a wide range of primary and secondary schools as well as many non-association independent schools, including faith schools and those linked to children’s homes. She successfully challenged schools in a category of concern and those requiring improvement. She was appointed as an Early Years’ adviser and assistant lead on an Ofsted survey and held a significant role, both regionally and nationally, on Ofsted’s quality assurance team for several years, checking the work of other HMI and Ofsted Inspectors. She was also the link HMI for a local authority within the North East region, challenging and supporting it to improve. In 2015, this local authority was mentioned in HMCI’s Annual Report as being the best local authority in England, mainly for primary education, with 99% of children in primary schools attending schools which were judged good or better.
Prior to joining Ofsted in September 2006, Christine held four acting headteacher posts and two permanent primary headship posts. During her permanent headships, Christine also served as a Primary Strategy Consultant Leader for a North East local authority, challenging ten schools to improve. Christine started her career in teaching in Nottingham, being appointed as a music co-ordinator in a junior school, followed by eight years in a permanent post on a centrally-funded team, who were sent into schools on a temporary basis to take on leadership roles or ‘turn schools around’. Christine holds a Bachelor of Education Degree (main subject music) from the University of York, St John and a Master of Education Degree (specialising in SEN) from the University of Nottingham.
