Mark Williams
Chair of Education and Standards Committee

A former teacher, headteacher, HMI, Senior HMI and a Chief Education Officer with the Co-op Academies Trust, I am passionate about all pupils, regardless of background, getting a great deal so they achieve well in their personal development as well as academically. Throughout my career, including in my current roles, I have worked successfully with schools and academies developing internal capacity through developing leadership at all levels, impact focused reviews, strengthening accountability, performance management,and governor development.

Independent Education Consultant – August 2020 – present
I am currently working with School Improvement Liverpool and a number of Academy Trusts in the North West in the following roles:

  • School Improvement Partner/Education Adviser to a number of primary, secondary and special schools
  • Supporting subject leadership development.
  • Reviewer of school effectiveness.
  • Reviewer of Governance
  • Supporting Governor development

Chief Education Officer

The Co-op Academies Trust, January 2017 – August 2020
Responsible for a number of academies initially in Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, then in Wirral, Stoke and Staffordshire.

Her Majesty’s Inspector/Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector

Ofsted
Inspector of schools, academies, and initial teacher education.
Link HMI to a number of local authorities.
National Lead for Academies and Free Schools.
September 2005 – December 2016

Head Teacher

  • St Andrews CE (Aided) Primary School, Wirral (judged by Ofsted as being a ‘Very good school’ in 2002) – September 1998 – August 2005
  • Bromborough Pool Primary School, Wirral (supporting the school through a difficult period, providing leadership and stability) – January 2003-August 2003

Governance experience

I am currently a governor at Coop Academy Woodslee, Wirral, with oversight for safeguarding and pupil premium.

Previous experience as a governor has included:

  • Chair of the Governing Body at Coop Academy Leeds
  • A governor at Northern College, a theological college based in Manchester
  • Headteacher governor
  • Staff governor

I have also been involved in governance and leadership in local churches in the United Reformed Church including as an Elder and providing pastoral oversight and leadership in two churches where there were no ministers.