Dr Elizabeth Sidwell CBE, BSc (Hons), PGCE, FRSA, FRGS

photo of Dr Elizabeth Sidwell

Schools Commissioner for England

Learner Engagement – What Works 

 

Abstract

Dr Sidwell has over 30 years’ experience as an educationalist, including establishing a Federation of Academies in a challenging community in Lewisham. In her role as Schools Commissioner for England she has been visiting schools and local authorities nationwide, working with heads, governors and sponsors to tackle underperformance in the school system. In her session she will be speaking about her own experiences of learner engagement in action, including the challenges she faced in her own schools in Lewisham, as well as examples of best practice from schools she has visited around the country.


Biography

Dr Elizabeth Sidwell is an educational strategist and consultant whose current projects include ambassadorial and advisory work on the Academies programme for the Department for Education and on UTCs for the Baker-Dearing Trust.

She was appointed to the post of Schools Commissioner for England at the Department for Education by the Secretary of State in May 2011 for a fixed two-year term. Her task has been to raise standards, tackle underperformance and champion the growth of Academies, Academy sponsors and Free Schools. As Schools Commissioner, Elizabeth visited schools and local authorities nationwide, working with heads, parents, local communities, governors and sponsors and representatives of a range of sectors to raise standards. During her two-year tenure, Elizabeth visited over 150 schools, given nearly 100 talks and 32 media interviews.

Elizabeth has 30 years’ experience as an educationalist in both the private and state independent sectors. Her previous role was the Chief Executive of a unique hard Federation of three all-through academies in South East London which she founded.

She is a governor of two schools and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. In June 2009, Elizabeth was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to local and national education.

Elizabeth’s aim is to ensure every young person attends a ‘good’ school where they can fulfil their potential and have a valued pathway into Higher or Further Education – “from nursery to university”.

For a copy of her presentation, please click this link: Presentation by Dr Elizabeth Sidwell