Pippa Francis joined Ofsted as Her Majesty’s Inspector in 2003 and is the national lead for teaching, learning and assessment – post 16. Pippa is a qualified further education teacher and holds a doctorate in education. Her research interests are in pedagogy in further education. She has specialist expertise in land-based studies. Prior to working for Ofsted, Pippa held a middle management post in a large further education college with curriculum and teaching responsibilities for further, higher and work-based education. Previously, she had an extensive career in the equestrian industry. Pippa regularly leads college inspections and also leads inspections of secondary schools. She has led several Ofsted surveys and contributed to the development of new frameworks. In 2013/14, Pippa led a national survey on teaching, learning and assessment across the further education and skills sector which was published in September 2014.

Chris joined Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s inspector in 2013. He is a qualified teacher, has a master’s degree in education leadership and special education, and a doctorate specialising in continuing professional development and the pedagogy of ICT. Previously he taught in schools, colleges, work-based learning providers and in initial teacher education for a total of 20 years. He worked with DfE for 11 years on school improvement, 14-19 diploma, functional skills, raising the participation age, qualification reviews, and one-to-one tuition and pupil premium. He has led or contributed to Ofsted surveys in areas as diverse as family learning in children’s centres and securing the future for young people not in education, employment or training.

Steven Tucker HMI joined Ofsted in 2013. His early career was spent teaching drama with a particular concentration on the use of drama across the curriculum. Steven has extensive experience as a teacher and manager in further education and schools as well as 10 years’ experience as an additional inspector of the arts in the FE and skills sector.

Steven now inspects further education colleges, community and work-based learning providers, initial teacher education and sixth form colleges. Prior to working for Ofsted, Steven was a senior manager in the FE sector with responsibility for quality improvement.

National Lead - Apprenticeships

Phil Romain HMI has been inspecting learning and skills since 2001 and joined Ofsted as an HMI in 2007. He is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with experience in the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding industry.

Prior to joining Ofsted he held senior positions in international manufacturing, a sector skills council, award bodies and a national training organisation. He has worked on several Ofsted surveys and currently inspects colleges, work-based learning, and education and training in HM prisons. Phil is the national lead for apprenticeships.