Mike Tomlinson
Encyclopedia
Sir Michael John Tomlinson CBE
(born 17 October, 1942 in Rotherham
) is the chair of the Working Group for 14–19 Reform which has been commissioned by the British Government to look into reform of the syllabus and qualifications structure for 14–19 year-olds in the English education system
.
) on Moorgate Road in Rotherham
, then the Bournemouth Boys' School
(a grammar school
).
He studied for a BSc
in Chemistry
at the University of Durham
before going on to do a PGCE
at the University of Nottingham
, followed by 12 years in the classroom as a science teacher, including some time on secondment to ICI
as a schools liaison officer in 1977.
) on Highbury Road in Bulwell
, Nottingham from 1965-9. From 1969-77, he was Head of Chemistry at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School (a comprehensive school and now called Ashby School
) in Leicestershire
.
) and, in this capacity, helped to re-establish the education system in Kuwait
following the first Gulf War
. In 1989, he became Chief Inspector (secondary). In November 2000 when Chris Woodhead
resigned, he became Chief Inspector of Schools, a post which he held until his retirement in 2002.
, a member of the boards of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
and the National Assessment Agency
, a member of the Public Engagement group of the Science Museum
, and a fellow and a member of the council of the RSA
. Since 2008, he has been Chief Adviser for London Schools in the Department for Children, Schools and Families
(DCSF).
. Tomlinson was made a knight
in the New Year's Honours list of 31 December 2004.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 17 October, 1942 in Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
) is the chair of the Working Group for 14–19 Reform which has been commissioned by the British Government to look into reform of the syllabus and qualifications structure for 14–19 year-olds in the English education system
Education in England
Education in England is overseen by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Local authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for public education and state schools at a regional level....
.
Early life
He passed the eleven plus and attended the Oakwood Technical High School (now called the Oakwood Technology CollegeOakwood Technology College
Oakwood Technology College is a secondary school in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. It is situated on Moorgate Road, almost in the centre of Rotherham, and receives children from a number of primary schools throughout Rotherham....
) on Moorgate Road in Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
, then the Bournemouth Boys' School
Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School , is a boys' grammar school and sixth-form college occupying a site in Charminster, Bournemouth, Dorset, England and teaching children from years 7 to 13...
(a grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
).
He studied for a BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
at the University of Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
before going on to do a PGCE
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a one-year course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for undergraduate degree holders that allows them to train to be a teacher....
at the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
, followed by 12 years in the classroom as a science teacher, including some time on secondment to ICI
Imperial Chemical Industries
Imperial Chemical Industries was a British chemical company, taken over by AkzoNobel, a Dutch conglomerate, one of the largest chemical producers in the world. In its heyday, ICI was the largest manufacturing company in the British Empire, and commonly regarded as a "bellwether of the British...
as a schools liaison officer in 1977.
Teaching
He was a chemistry teacher at the Henry Mellish Grammar School (now called Henry Mellish School and Specialist Sports CollegeHenry Mellish School and Specialist Sports College
Henry Mellish School and Specialist Sports College was a small, non-denominational secondary school in Bulwell, Nottingham, England, situated in an area of high social deprivation.-Early history:...
) on Highbury Road in Bulwell
Bulwell
Bulwell is an English market town approximately northwest of Nottingham city centre, on the northern edge of the city. The United Kingdom Census 2001 showed there were almost 30,000 people living in the Bulwell area, accounting for over 10% of the population of the city of Nottingham.-Early...
, Nottingham from 1965-9. From 1969-77, he was Head of Chemistry at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School (a comprehensive school and now called Ashby School
Ashby School
Ashby School, formerly known as Ashby Grammar School, is a co-educational day and boys' boarding comprehensive school in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England.-Admissions:...
) in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
.
Education administration
In 1978 he joined Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools (now OfstedOfsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
) and, in this capacity, helped to re-establish the education system in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
following the first Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. In 1989, he became Chief Inspector (secondary). In November 2000 when Chris Woodhead
Chris Woodhead
Sir Christopher Anthony Woodhead was Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England from 1994 until 2000 and is one of the most controversial figures in debates on the direction of English education policy...
resigned, he became Chief Inspector of Schools, a post which he held until his retirement in 2002.
Retirement
Shortly after his retirement, he led an enquiry (the Tomlinson Enquiry) into the controversy surrounding A-level grading, and was then appointed chair of the 14–19 Working Group in 2003. He is also a governor of the University of HertfordshireUniversity of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
, a member of the boards of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
and the National Assessment Agency
National Assessment Agency
The National Assessment Agency was, until December 2008, a subsidiary unit of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority , an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom...
, a member of the Public Engagement group of the Science Museum
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
, and a fellow and a member of the council of the RSA
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
. Since 2008, he has been Chief Adviser for London Schools in the Department for Children, Schools and Families
Department for Children, Schools and Families
The Department for Children, Schools and Families was a department of the UK government, between 2007 and 2010, responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education...
(DCSF).
Recognition
In 1997 he was made a CBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. Tomlinson was made a knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
in the New Year's Honours list of 31 December 2004.
Personal life
In 1965 he married Maureen Janet Tupling in Rotherham. They have a son (born 1968) and a daughter (born 1970). His children were school initially at comprehensive schools, but later at grammar schools.External links
- Working Group on 14–19 Reform
- Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
- The RSA
- The Science Museum
- Interview with Sir Mike Tomlinson 2008
- Honorary doctorate from the University of Wolverhampton