Sir Kevan Collins to support Schools White Paper delivery

Sir Kevan Collins has been appointed as Delivery Adviser to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, to support the delivery of the schools White Paper, with a focus on SEND reform and local authority engagement.

Sir Kevan, already the department’s Lead Non-Executive Board Member, will take on the additional part-time role to provide expert advice and challenge on key delivery priorities.

He will focus on two areas: reviewing how DfE engages with local authorities to ensure reform programmes are clear and achievable, and supporting the department’s Delivery Unit on SEND reform.

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Every child, whatever their needs, should have the opportunity to achieve and thrive at their local school. Kevan has a proven track record of driving improvement across education, and his expertise will be invaluable as we deliver the Schools White Paper and our mission to shift children with SEND from sidelined to included.”

Sir Kevan Collins said: “Having worked across the education system, I know that ambitious plans only matter if they translate into real change in classrooms and communities. Children with SEND and their families have waited too long for the support they need, and I’m determined to help ensure these reforms deliver for them. I look forward to working with colleagues across the department and with local authorities to make that happen.”