Morgan exploring US for next Ofsted head

It has been understood that Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is exploring the possibility of appointing an expert from the US as the next head of schools inspectorate Ofsted.

The Sunday Times has reported that several Americans are due to be approached regarding the position, to replace current chief Sir Michael Wilshaw when he steps down in December.

In particular, it claimed New York City’s schools watchdog and three bosses of American charter schools are expected to be considered for the job. Charter schools are independent of local authority control and operate in a similar way to free schools and academies in England. The publicly funded US Charter schools system has been praised for boosting attainment in deprived areas and has expanded across the US.

A number of British candidates have also been reported to be running for the post.

However, Christine Blower, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), argued the UK should look elsewhere to find Ofsted’s new chief.

She said: "If the government is scouring the world for a new head of Ofsted, they should look to Finland. It is universally agreed to have an excellent education system characterised by co-operation, collaboration and trust - a far cry from the Charter School ethos of the US."