Roy Blatchford is Director of the National Education Trust, an independent foundation dedicated to improving the quality of education nationwide, shaping its future, and working to help close the achievement gap.

Previously he was Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools (HMI) in England, with lead responsibilities for school improvement and for the national inspection of good and outstanding schools.

Roy was Principal (1999 – 2003) of Walton High & Walton Learning Centre in Milton Keynes, opened in September 1999 and described by OFSTED as ‘a first class centre of learning – innovative and inspiring’. He was Founding Director (1996 – 1998) of Reading Is Fundamental, UK a non-profit organisation developing children’s reading and family literacy. From 1986 – 1996 he was Headteacher of Bicester Community College, an Oxfordshire comprehensive school serving 1200+ 11 – 19 year old students.

He has served as a government adviser, and recently helped establish inspection and school review systems in New York, Dubai and Mumbai. Roy has worked with HM Prison Service, the NHS and the Arts Council in a number of voluntary capacities. He is the author/editor of over 150 books and is a regular contributor to the national press.