Mossbourne safeguarding review author Sir Alan Wood appointed to Ofsted governing body
Sir Alan Wood is one of five new appointments to the board. Photograph: Supplied
Sir Alan Wood — the author of a damning safeguarding review of one of Hackney’s top schools — has been appointed to the board of Ofsted.
It comes a month after the publication of a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) into Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA). The review, authored by Sir Alan, came amid rising concerns from parents and found reports of public humiliation and other damaging practices at the school could “be substantiated”.
The review also found certain groups of students, including pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and children from certain ethnic groups, were “disproportionately impacted by sanctions”.
Sir Alan is also the former Chief Executive of The Learning Trust in Hackney and has also held leadership positions in Southwark.
On X, the Independent Safeguarding Children’s Commissioner for the City of London and Hackney, Jim Gamble, celebrated the news. “Absolutely delighted to see the outstanding Sir Alan Wood joining the Board of Ofsted,” he wrote on the social media platform.
Absolutely delighted to see the outstanding Sir Alan Wood joining the Board of Ofsted. Trust CEO, ex-civil servant and safeguarding expert join Ofsted board https://t.co/EmZjWA71qu
— Jim Gamble (@JimGamble_INEQE) January 15, 2026
Meanwhile, Educating Hackney‘s Andy Leary-May, who is also a former Mossbourne parent, said: “I think Sir Alan’s appointment will inject Ofsted with ideas and focus around how all schools should be accountable for the wellbeing of every child. He knows very well where gaps in monitoring and oversight can lead.”
Independent Socialist Group councillor Penny Wrout (Victoria ward) said: ”Sir Alan Wood’s vast education experience and questioning approach is exactly what Ofsted needs in today’s challenging context.
“He appreciates the enormous value of academic achievement, but is also aware a well-rounded education means much more than rule following. He is fair-minded and alive to social nuances which can lead to injustice when a ‘one size fits all’ approach is over used”.
Sir Alan is one of five new appointments to the watchdog’s board alongside Lucy Heller, Hardip Begol, Francis Wadsworth and Jo Coburn.
Heller is the founding director of Ark Schools — which now boasts 39 academies — and the CEO of Ark, the Trust’s parent charity. She was previously managing editor of TSL Education and The Observer.
Begol is a controlling member of the Eden Academy Trust and already sits on a number of boards, including Oak National Academy, Ofqual and The Education Policy Institute. Before that, he worked at the Department of Education for nearly 20 years and was an academy trust CEO.
Wadsworth is the government’s deputy further education commissioner, serving magistrate and former interim chair of Ofqual.
Coburn presents the Times Radio programme The Times at One. Before this, she was a BBC News presenter.
Heller, Wood, Wadsworth and Wood will begin their three-year term on 1 February, while Begol’s will begin on 1 August. Their annual salary will be £8,292 for 20 days per year.
They join Christine Gilbert — the watchdog’s former chief inspector, who was appointed chair of the board last year — as well as serving members Martyn Oliver (Ofsted’s chief inspector), Martin Spencer, Laura Wyld, Jon Yates, Felicity Gillespie, Joanne Moran and David Meyer.