Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and
Equalities, , thanked Christine for
her dedicated leadership of the Ofsted Board since taking up the
role in summer 2020. Throughout a long and distinguished
career, Christine has been at the forefront of education reform
in the UK and internationally.
The Department for Education (DfE) will begin a formal
process to find a successor shortly. Christine will continue
as Chair during this process to ensure a smooth and orderly
transition.
Education Secretary, , commented:
We appreciate Christine's contributions to the work of the
DfE across a broad
range of educational priorities.
Christine has led the Ofsted Board as Chair during a period of
significant challenges, including the unprecedented demands of
the pandemic.
Over the past 4 years, she has overseen critical initiatives,
including reviews of board effectiveness, a substantial renewal
of board membership, a successful transition to a new Chief
Inspector, supported Ofsted's Big Listen, the largest public
consultation in its history, and conducted a comprehensive review
of Ofsted's corporate governance arrangements.
Until her successor is appointed, the board, under Christine's
leadership, will focus on scoping governance reforms to implement
Dame Christine Gilbert's recent independent review. This will
strengthen accountability and oversee Ofsted's commitments to
improved service delivery. These efforts will support a
newly appointed Chair to take forward an ambitious, longer-term
reform agenda.
Dame Christine Ryan said:
It has been a privilege to work with dedicated colleagues during
my time as Chair of Ofsted. Of course, there have been challenges
– from the impact of the pandemic at the outset of my tenure, to
the scrutiny and changes of more recent times. The work Ofsted
does is vital in ensuring that children and young people receive
the education and care they deserve.
While there is still much to accomplish in the months ahead, as I
prepare to hand over to a new Chair, I will leave with pride in
my association with Ofsted and deep gratitude for its dedicated
staff. I wish Sir Martyn Oliver and the team the very best for
the future.
