Possible tensions behind the departure of the Inspiration Trust’s curriculum guru

Why is Christine Counsell, the influential figure who was setting in train ambitious curriculum plans at one of England’s most well-placed academy chains, leaving her post?

The question was left dangling after it was revealed last week that Counsell is standing down as director of education at the Inspiration Trust, the Norwich-based chain which was set up by the academies minister, Lord Agnew.

The appointment of Counsell, back in 2016, had seemed something of a coup for the trust back then, bringing it some heavyweight academic credentials. Counsell’s previous role had seen her leading Cambridge University’s secondary PGCE history course, but to state this is only to scatch the surface of a packed cv in teaching, policy advice and academia.

Counsell’s arrival was followed by other high-profile appointments, with Michael Fordham and then Hywel Jones – who had been assistant headteacher and headteacher, respectively, of the West London Free School – arriving, while Summer Turner, who arrived from the East London Science School, initially as subject specialist lead for English.

As of earlier this year, Turner became head of curriculum development for the trust, a title which hints at the ambitions the IT has had in this field.