Our steering group
Dr.Nuala Burgess is an academic researcher and former teacher, she has nine years’ experience as a secondary school teacher in selective and comprehensive schools and an FE college. Her doctoral research focused on the impact of selective practices in school sixth forms.
John Edmonds is a Trade Unionist, environmentalist and writer about equality for women. He was the former General Secretary of the GMB union and served as TUC President in 1998.
Melissa Benn is a journalist and writer. In 2012 she won the Fred and Anne Jarvis Award, presented by the National Union of Teachers for her campaigning and work for the cause of comprehensive education.
Ian served as Treasurer of the Socialist Educational Association for 12 years. He is a member of the SEA National Executive Committee and officer (post-16) of Norfolk district NEU and the Education Officer for Norwich and District TUC.
Our staff
Joanne Bartley’s background is in marketing & social media strategy. She has proved herself an excellent advocate for non-selective education as Joint Coordinator of the Kent campaign group, the Kent Education Network.
Our steering committee
Alan Bainbridge is the Joint Coordinator of the Kent Education Network. He currently lectures in higher education having previously taught in Secondary Schools for 20 years.
Derek Berry worked in the aviation industry and is now retired. He lives in Buckinghamshire and feels there is ample evidence that selection fails to provide the equality of opportunity and resources which are available to children in the neighbouring comprehensive schools.
David Chaytor has experience as a Senior Manager of a large College of Arts and Technology. He is a former Labour Member of Parliament and a founder member of Comprehensive Future.
Alexa lives in Buckinghamshire and works in local government. As a parish councillor and long-time campaigner against selective education in her county, she brings deep local knowledge and commitment to fair admissions.
James Coombs has been trying to collect information about the 11-plus since 2012 and his study into the effects of tutoring, based on National Pupil Database data, was well received by the DfE. He is undertaking a PhD to further his research into test coaching.
Jack grew up in Lincolnshire and “failed” the eleven-plus. Now a PhD student specialising in education policy, he has written on the shortcomings of selective schooling and volunteers with the Private Education Policy Forum. He also serves as a school governor and campaigns with Time’s Up For The Test.
Caroline is the former CEO of Saffron Academy Trust, leading nine inclusive comprehensive schools in Essex and establishing the Saffron Teaching School Hub. A Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and former chair of the Headteachers’ Roundtable, she has held numerous regional and national roles. She is a strong advocate for non-selective comprehensive education.
Pippa Doran has worked within a selective authority as a teacher, manager and senior education officer. As a disabled woman she brings a unique perspective to our organisation.
John Fowler has 30 years’ experience in local government in management, performance and policy roles for seven local authorities in London and the south east. He was deputy head of education, culture and tourism at the Local Government Association from 1997 to 2002.
Alan Gurbutt is a parent to two daughters and mental health nurse based in selective Lincolnshire. He has a particular interest in the wellbeing and mental health implications of the 11-plus.
Richard Harris is a retired Adult Education Principal and senior manager in a Further Education College. He has served as a Councillor on Southampton City Council. He is a primary school governor and a member of the local Schools Forum, as well as representing CASE and the Reclaiming Education campaign group.
Nick Kennard is a resident of Sevenoaks and has been a vocal opponent to the controversial Weald of Kent ‘annexe’ grammar school in local news. He works in IT for an Energy Services and Facilities Management company.
Mike taught in comprehensive schools for 36 years and was the first in his family to attend university. He has served as a headteacher and senior leader in schools affected by selection, and has worked as an associate advisor and research lead with the University of Cambridge. A published writer on education policy, he is a long-standing advocate for truly comprehensive education.
Alan Parker’s career in voluntary and statutory agencies culminated as Director of Education at the London Borough of Ealing. Since then he has been a consultant and held roles such as a Schools Adjudicator. He is a qualified executive coach and served as the Society of Education Officers’ President in 2002, he is a trustee of several education charities.