AoC Curriculum Conference 2025

Sir Ian has served as Chief Regulator at Ofqual since January 2024. Before that, he was Chair of the Board of Ofqual from January 2021 and was a Board member from March 2018. Before becoming Chief Regulator, Sir Ian led a multi-academy trust.

Darren is the current Quality Manager for Maths and English at Cambridge Regional College. In this role, he leads on quality improvement for all Maths and English at the college. He has worked in the FE sector for 12 years. Darren has delivered both English and maths, at all levels of Functional Skills and GCSE. He has managed Maths and English departments since 2015. Darren is passionate about supporting learners to progress in English and Maths. He is always keen to collaborate with colleagues across the country. He enjoys supporting and mentoring new teachers.

Dan is Assistant Principal at Cambridge Regional College with responsibility for Adult learning programmes and Apprenticeships and has over 15 years’ experience in FE, leading across all provision types. He is passionate about the opportunities FE can provide for all, has a keen interest in innovation, continuous improvement and enhancing experiences for staff, learners and stakeholders. Dan's career has seen him demonstrate skills in curriculum development, teaching and assessment enhancement, and improved outcomes for learners.

Corrin is Deputy Principal for Quality and Student Services at Cambridge Regional College, and her remit includes quality improvement in maths and English, teaching and learning development and eLearning. Previously a teacher of English and ESOL, with considerable experience in adult learning and quality, Corrin has been a senior manager since 2017.

Catalina is an accomplished experienced senior leader and Group Director with a track record of initiating and managing change by turning ideas into viable solutions; a passionate advocate for education who communicates with strategic intent and a solid grasp of context.

Catalina is a confident public speaker and excellent networker adept at creating lasting connections with stakeholders and industry partners which support strategic planning and commercial decision making.

Professor Becky Francis CBE is presently leading the Government’s independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, seconded from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) where she has been CEO since January 2020. Before this, Becky was Director of the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), which is ranked #1 in the world for education in the international QS rankings. Her prior roles include Professor of Education and Social Justice at King’s College London and Standing Advisor to the Parliamentary Education Select Committee.

Throughout her career, Becky has sought to maximise the impact of academic research by working closely with teachers and policymakers. She has spearheaded high-profile research programmes assessing the impact of major reforms in the English school system on educational inequalities and is sought out internationally as an advisor to Governments on education policy.

Becky was the inaugural Charles Yidan Global Fellow at Harvard University. Her academic expertise and extensive publications centre on social identities and inequalities in educational contexts.

Ashley has worked in Education for over 25 years in a variety of schools, private training providers and at HSDC. He started off as a sports science lecturer and later became the Head of Department for Sport and Public Services. As an Assistant Principal for Vocational Curriculum, he was the college lead for the implementation of T levels across the college's campuses and he has been involved in a number of DfE and AoC working groups around T Levels and the T Level Foundation Programme. He was also one of the regional and national judges for the 2024 National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards for T levels.

Jackie has been the Principal of Tameside College since 2015, leading the institution with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality education and skills training. Under her leadership, the college has undergone significant transformation, including modernising the college estate and developing the curriculum to meet the evolving needs of learners, employers and the local community. Jackie is passionate about creating opportunities for learners of all ages, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and working closely with employers and stakeholders to address skills gaps in the region.

With a career spanning over three decades in further education, Jackie has a wealth of experience in teaching, management, curriculum development and strategic planning. Her focus on innovation and collaboration has helped Tameside College build partnerships with local businesses, schools, and organisations, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their careers.

Jackie is a strong advocate for lifelong learning and community engagement, championing initiatives that promote social mobility and economic development. She strives to make education accessible and meaningful for all. She works as an Ofsted inspector part time.