History
Northern Education was formed in 2000 to support secondary schools in Bradford on behalf of the government. We are a leading consultancy dedicated to supporting improvements in services to children and young people. We are a passionate group of education professionals who enjoy sharing our knowledge and using our skills to support schools, academies and colleges.
Les Walton OBE
Chair of the Young Peoples’ Learning Agency
Les founded Northern Education following a request by DfES to lead the interim management and subsequent outsourcing of education services in Bradford. During this period he developed the concept of a ‘New Relationship with Schools’ and introduced partnership boards involving headteachers as ‘School Improvement Partners’.
Les was, until August 2006, Principal and Chief Executive of Tyne Metropolitan College. He was Assistant Chief Executive (Education) within Bradford MDC, after being Executive Director for North Tyneside Council where he’d previously been a secondary head. He has recently relinquished the role of Chair in order to concentrate on national initiatives.
Currently Les is the senior adviser to the Board and Executive.