Multi-academy trusts

Professor Sir David Melville CBE has been appointed as chairman of the Pearson Education Ltd board of directors with immediate effect.

A Professor of Physics, David has over 40 years experience of working across the broad span of education to bring to bear on the role. Most recently Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, he has served as Chief Executive of the Further Education Funding Council and Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. He was a member of the Tomlinson 14-19 Review, the Foundation Degree Task Force and the Foster Review of the Future of Further Education Colleges.

David has been a primary, secondary and academy chair and vice-chair of governors, the Government Thames Gateway Skills Envoy, Chair of Lifelong Learning UK, the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the Learning and Skills Council in Kent and Medway, the University Vocational Awards Council and Higher Education South East.

Sir David replaces Martin Cross, who retired at the end of his term this year.

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said:

“I am delighted that David has taken up the role of Chair. He has already made a very strong contribution to the business in his role as a non-executive director and is extremely well qualified to Chair the board.

“We are all very sad to say goodbye to Martin who has done a wonderful job in the role over a number of years. We wish him well in the future.”

Professor Sir David Melville said:

“I am honoured to be taking over the chair of Pearson Education Ltd at a crucial time for qualifications and examinations in this country. I am committed to all forms of educational opportunity and our mission to provide high quality resources and qualifications is central to this endeavour.”

About Professor Sir David Melville CBE

David Melville has over 40 years experience of working in education with involvement in HE, FE and schools. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, Chief Executive of the Further Education Funding Council and Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. Before that he was a lecturer and later professor of physics. He was a member of the Tomlinson 14-19 Review, the Foundation Degree Task Force and the Foster Review of the Future of Further Education Colleges.

He has been a primary, secondary and academy chair/vice-chair of governors, the Government Thames Gateway Skills Envoy, Chair of Lifelong Learning UK, the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the Learning and Skills Council in Kent and Medway, the University Vocational Awards Council and Higher Education South East, and a board member of the ifs School of Finance, the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, The Place and the Council for Industry and Higher Education.

He has been on the board of Edexcel/Pearson Education Ltd since 2005, and is currently Chair of the Kent Surrey and Sussex NHS Postgraduate Deanery and a board member of the Network for Black Professionals, K College of FE and London South Bank and Manchester Metropolitan Universities and is a patron of the 157 Group, Comprehensive Future, the Disabled Sailors Association, Faversham Creek Trust, Faversham Festival and the Thames Gateway Young Chamber. He was educated at Sheffield and Columbia Universities.

We’ve published wide-ranging recommendations in a report that sets out the part we hope to play in building confidence in Britain’s examination system.

The report forms part of Pearson’s response to the findings of its “Leading on Standards” consultation which launched in January this year to seek the views of students, teachers, parents, higher education and employers on the future of the examinations system.

The report offers new ways to ensure that the standards debate remains at the centre of education thinking in the UK. Pearson is making a series of commitments for action in support of this, including:

• A five yearly, independent and fundamental Review of Educational Ambition which will ensure the British examination system is fit for purpose;
• Enhanced and accredited training and recognition for Pearson examiners through a strategic partnership with the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors and University of Durham;
• A new generation of A levels which set the bar higher, and encourage deeper learning; 
• Independent validation of skills at age 18 in partnership with employers, higher education and other relevant experts.

The report also recommends that teachers are better supported to assess student progress in their classroom rather than in the exam hall. It argues that focus on quantity of exams with students taking large numbers of GCSE’s should be replaced by a more balanced approach to ensure students are equipped for life through learning experiences which are shaped, valued and accredited by higher education and employers.

The report will be launched this evening at Skinners Academy in North London, with representatives from higher education, employers, teachers, parents and students taking part in a panel debate on exams and education.

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said:

“Setting educational expectations high – both for students and those of us who seek to support their learning - is fundamental to getting standards right. Our aspirations and actions need to help build a culture of ambition in British education, shifting mind sets from meeting to exceeding expectations.

“Through these actions and others, we want to work with partners across education to help re-instil confidence in the British examination system, and ensure that the knowledge children acquire during their time at school truly endures and serves them throughout their lives.

“We are making this series of commitments because we know we have an important role and responsibility, but we can't do it alone. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with all those with a role in British education to raise standards and ensure high-quality outcomes.

“Too much focus on exams risks undermining the broader purpose of education. By acting on the commitments outlined in the report we believe we can help to build a system that fosters a culture which emphasises learning more, rather than simply testing more.

“Young people want to be tested in a way that is more appropriate for the world they live in. We need to ensure the education system is dynamic and ready to respond to changing skills and needs. But it’s not enough to look ahead to a fresh start. We need to rebuild confidence in the way examinations are run, where awarding bodies can be trusted to uphold and drive the highest standards.”

1. The Report makes eight commitments. Pearson will:

• commit to fund a Review of Educational Ambition
• seek to build confidence through greater transparency
• recognise and grow the expertise of our examining workforce
• invest to build assessment skills in the classroom
• think beyond exams to encourage more rounded learning 
• create a New Generation of A levels
• exercise our influence as an awarding organisation and publisher to reinforce broad learning
• support accountability methods that better represent the concerns of parents

2. The full findings and details of the recommendations can be found at www.leadingonstandards.com

3. The consultation was launched on January 31st. Responses were sought via the online document as well as through a series of seminars held in conjunction with the think tank Reform which represented 75 organisations from across education and business.

Rod Bristow, president of Pearson UK, has given our perspective on Ofqual’s report, Exam Board Seminars.

Rod said:

“We have always made clear that we believe it is essential that teachers are given support to deliver qualifications, to enable them to give guidance to their students.

“Events of the past six months have however demonstrated the risks associated with this. We have already taken strong action to ensure that the information shared through events and other channels is always appropriate. Many of our events will be online, and all will be recorded, to enable a high degree of transparency.

“These new measures are also reflected in the guidance issued by Ofqual today.”