Founder

Les founded Northern Education following a request by DfES in 2000 to lead the interim management and subsequent outsourcing of education services in Bradford.

Les achieved national recognition for his work as head teacher of Norham Community Technology College, one of the first community specialist colleges. The school was cited by HMI as “one of the most effective urban schools in the country” and by the Deming UK Board as the “one of the best examples of total quality management in the UK”. He was awarded the OBE for services to education during his time at the school.

As Executive Director and Chief Education Officer in North Tyneside Council, Les managed the re-organisation of a three-tier system of education, which achieved political, community and educational consensus. North Tyneside achieved Beacon Status for “Tackling Failing Schools” in 1999. Les was subsequently awarded a Civic Reception in 1999.

In 2000 he led the interim management and subsequent outsourcing of education services in Bradford. During this period he developed the concept of a ‘New Relationship with Schools’ and introduced partnership boards involving head teachers as ‘School Improvement Partners’.

In 2002 Les was appointed as Chief Executive and Principal of North Tyneside FE College. He then created ‘Tyne Metropolitan College’ through the merger of two large FE Colleges. The amalgamation was described as ‘exemplary’ by the DFES. The Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair, publically acknowledged his leadership. The LSC presented Les with a Life Time Achievement Award in 2006.

Under Les’s leadership of Northern Education, the company has grown to become a significant force in education. Recently Les and Northern Education were identified as one of the top 1% of companies established since 2000, based on growth and financial strength.

In July 2009, Les was appointed as Chair of the Young People’s Learning Agency Committee within the Learning and Skills Council and will be chair the YPLA when it is formally established in 2010 subject to parliamentary approval. He has relinquished the role of Chair of Northern Education to take on this national role. Les has an absolute commitment to improving the lives of young people which he intends to carry into his new role.

Les has contributed to the development of learning at a regional and national level. He has:

• worked directly with national government on a number of projects including being a member of the National Working Group on Local Authority Development Planning and an adviser to the National Working Group on LEA Code of Practice.

• played a lead role in the development and establishment of Schools NorthEast in 2007, a representative organisation for all schools in the north east region. It provides a major means promoting collaboration between schools and influencing regional strategy. It has the support of the business community and education community.

• facilitated the formation of the 14-19 Commission, bringing sectoral partners (Schools, Colleges, Training Providers, Employers and Universities) into a joint strategic partnership with ONE NorthEast, LSC and GONE. The Commission is a national first.

• led a review of employer engagement with learning providers within the northern region. The overall aim of this assignment was to research, develop and implement a framework to enhance the degree of engagement between learning providers and employers on the implementation of the 14-19 education agenda in the North East. The goal is to more closely align education provision with the priorities of the Regional Economic Strategy in order to maximise the impact on regional economic development.

• worked with School Improvement Partners and schools to raise their awareness and understanding of the Machinery of Governance including leading seminars and speaking at conferences, advising 14-19 Partnerships in connection with the development of the Machinery of Governance its implications.

Les has bridged the education and business world and between 2006 and 2009, he chaired the North Tyneside Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the regional board of the Institute of Directors.

Les has interests in leadership development and has been involved in many development programmes with senior leaders in education and learning. He is a strong advocate of the Deming approach to leadership and management, particularly with regard to systems leadership.

Les's role in Northern Education is currently Founder.

Email: les.walton@northerneducation.com

Phone: +44 (0)191 280 4623

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