Shelagh has a wealth of experience and knowledge to
bring to the role having been Principal & Chief
Executive of Chichester College from 2010 and Chief
Executive of Chichester College Group from 2017. This
includes successfully leading the Chichester College
Group through two mergers to achieve an outstanding
judgement from Ofsted in 2020.
As Further Education Commissioner, Shelagh will lead a
team of 18 Deputies and Advisers, working closely with
the Education and Skills Funding Agency, to support and
strengthen the leadership and governance of colleges,
ensuring they are well run and continue to offer high
quality education and training to the communities they
serve.
Education Secretary
said:
I am delighted to appoint Shelagh to this vital role.
She is hugely experienced in the sector, with a track
record of outstanding success and improvement. At
this crucial time for the country, an outstanding
further education sector will be more important than
ever and I look forward to working with Shelagh to
support and challenge the sector to be the best it
can be.
I would like to thank Sir Richard Atkins CBE for
everything he has done over more than four years as
Further Education Commissioner. He has made a huge
impact in the role, which has developed significantly
under his leadership and I wish him all the best in
his retirement.
I would also like to thank Frances Wadsworth,
currently a Deputy Further Education Commissioner,
for agreeing to step in as interim Further Education
Commissioner for the period until Shelagh starts in
role.
Shelagh Legrave said:
It is a great privilege to be appointed Further
Education Commissioner, particularly at this critical
time when skills will be vital to rebuilding our
economy and communities. As the FE White Paper has
set out, colleges will be at the forefront of
education and training that will enable social
mobility and address the needs of employers. I look
forward to supporting the Secretary of State and
Skills Minister to ensure that further education and
sixth form colleges across England are in the
strongest possible position to change people’s lives
for the better.
Shelagh will play a key role in progressing plans
outlined in the recent Skills for Jobs White Paper,
building on the excellent work already happening across
the country, so more people can gain the skills they
need to progress into work and support the economy to
grow.
She will take up her post in October for a two-year
term.
Sir Richard Atkins, the current Further Education
Commissioner, stepped down as planned on 31 March.
Frances Wadsworth has been appointed as interim Further
Education Commissioner until Shelagh starts in post.
Frances is currently a Deputy Further Education
Commissioner, having previously served as Principal and
CEO of Croydon College and East Surrey College.
