Chief Inspector, Independent Schools Inspectorate

21 June 2005

Christine Ryan has been appointed Chief Inspector of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Christine succeeds Tony Hubbard, who retires on 1 January 2006, and she will join ISI for a handover period before then.

Christine has been an OfSTED Team Inspector since 1993 and an OfSTED Registered Inspector since 1998, inspecting maintained schools at all age ranges from 4-18. Since 2000 she has been a Reporting Inspector for ISI. Between 1976 and 1992 Christine taught sciences, mathematics and design & technology in the maintained secondary sector.

Since 1994 Christine has also been variously an advisor, script writer and presenter for Schools Television. The New Living Body series for Channel 4 won the 1996 Japan Prize for Outstanding Educational Excellence.

Christine commented: "This is an exciting opportunity to lead an organisation committed to high quality inspection and to the interests of children. I look forward immensely to joining ISI".

Welcoming the appointment, June Taylor, Chairman of ISI, said "We are delighted to welcome an outstandingly versatile and dynamic Chief Inspector to build on the reputation for high-quality inspection developed by Tony Hubbard over the past five years. Christine arrives at an exciting stage in ISI's development and will have a fascinating time ahead of her."

Christine is aged 52, and married with a daughter aged 12