Chaired by journalist and broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy
David Bell: formerly chief inspector of England's schools David Bell is now the Government's top education official, as permanent secretary at the DfES. Described by the Education Secretary on his appointment as having "played a key role in driving up standards in schools" he was and is seen as a very strong holder of his role who is expected to ensure the provision of a generation of excellent teachers. He cares passionately about education, and has an extensive knowledge and expertise about further education, childcare and early years education in addition to his experience in schools (a former primary school teacher, head teacher and OU lecturer).
Christina Coker Chief Executive, Youth Music: before being appointed as Youth Music’s first CEO in 1999, she was co-founder and Director of Hackney Music Development Trust – a pioneering initiative to develop and increase access to music education and training opportunities for that. She has worked extensively in music, the wider arts and in education, including at the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges. A member of various governmental advisory bodies she also contributes to debates in the UK and abroad on issues linked to young people’s involvement in music making (and the wider arts); and she maintains a keen, practical involvement in music and the arts.
Marc Jaffrey, Music Manifesto Champion
David Lammy: Member of Parliament for Tottenham, where he was born, he won an Inner London Education Authority choral scholarship to The King's School, Peterborough and studied for a degree in law at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and then took a Masters degree at Harvard Law School, the first Black Briton to do so.In 2002 he became the youngest MP in Parliament He was promoted to the government in 2002 and after the 2005 General Election was appointed Minister for Culture under Tessa Jowell at the DCMS.Lammy has stated that his vision for the arts in the UK is to move towards participation for all.
Margaret Martin Griffiths, Former Specialist Adviser for Music, OFSTED: Margaret was HMI for twenty one years during which time she was involved in a wide range of music inspection projects, and for six years she was responsible for inspections of music in teacher training. Margaret was responsible for several Ofsted national reports, including those on LEA music services and on the pilot programmes of KS2 instrumental programmes. Before joining the inspectorate, Margaret taught music in secondary schools for thirteen years, and then was a teacher trainer at the London Institute for four years, combining this with work for examination boards. A practising musician, she still participates whenever possible as an accompanist, repetiteur and conductor with choral and opera groups - most recently in Don Giovanni as part of the Mozart celebrations. Margaret retired from the inspectorate in December 2006.