Julie Waddington, Director of Education at the King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham, is among the latest advisers appointed to the Department for Education’s Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) team.
The role will see her seconded to the DfE two days a week to provide bespoke, targeted intervention to eligible schools, which include “stuck schools” - those which were graded as Requires Improvement or equivalent at their most recent Ofsted inspection and below Good at the inspection before that.
Julie, an advanced skills geography teacher, school leader and school improvement professional with more than 20 years in the sector, is one of 45 new RISE advisers whose appointments reflect their extensive educational experience and track record of improving schools.
Since joining the Foundation in April 2022, Julie’s priority has been to embed the organisation’s education strategy, with her team also developing a full suite of professional learning opportunities for teachers, leaders and support colleagues to further develop the outstanding education provided in each of the schools.
The King Edward VI Academy Trust, which is part of the Foundation, comprises 12 academies - six comprehensive and six grammar - all of which are graded Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Notable recent achievements include King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy, which is the second most disadvantaged school in the country, being rated Good in all areas in 2024, recognising the journey the school has been on since it joined the Foundation in 2019 and giving its Frankley community its first Good school in 18 years. King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls also received a full suite of Good ratings in 2024, following its previous rating of Requires Improvement in 2022 shortly before joining the Trust. On average, disadvantaged pupils in Foundation schools make better progress than their non-disadvantaged peers nationally.
Prior to taking up her role with the Foundation, Julie worked in a variety of leadership and development roles including Director of School Improvement and National Strategies Advisor, working with a wide range of schools predominantly located in the West Midlands. As a passionate advocate for equality, diversity and Inclusion, Julie is a published contributing writer for ED&I and advised on an ED&I programme for The Chartered College of Teaching. She is also a Chartered College Fellow, member of the British Educational Research Association and is currently working towards a Masters level qualification in Educational Leadership.
Julie Waddington said: “I am delighted to be appointed as a RISE advisor. I’m particularly looking forward to helping develop sector-led improvement and working collaboratively with schools, trusts, dioceses and local authorities. I am passionate that
no school should be seen as ‘stuck’ and am eager to see the benefits to pupils and staff that come from taking the type of collaborative approach that is already embedded at the Foundation.”
Jodh Dhesi, Chief Executive Officer of the King Edward VI Foundation, said: “This is excellent news for the West Midlands. Julie is a proven school improvement expert who has made a difference to pupil outcomes across many schools. We are proud that the King Edward VI Foundation can support the wider educational system through her input.”
