Mike Tomlinson facts for kids

Sir Michael John Tomlinson, born on October 17, 1942, in Rotherham, England, is a very important person in English education. He is often called Mike Tomlinson. He used to be a teacher and later became Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills for Ofsted. This means he was in charge of checking how good schools and children's services were across England. He also led a group that looked at how education for 14 to 19-year-olds could be made better. Because of his great work, he was made a knight in 2005. People often said he was "the safest pair of hands in English education."

Early Life and Education

Michael Tomlinson grew up in Rotherham. He passed a special test called the 11-plus, which helped him get into good schools. He went to Oakwood Technical High School in Rotherham and then Bournemouth Boys' School.

He studied chemistry at the University of Durham to get his science degree. After that, he went to the University of Nottingham to learn how to be a teacher. He spent 12 years teaching science in classrooms. For a short time in 1977, he also worked with a big company called Imperial Chemical Industries to help connect schools with the industry.

Career in Education

Teaching Experience

From 1965 to 1969, Michael Tomlinson taught chemistry at Henry Mellish Grammar School in Nottingham. Then, from 1969 to 1977, he was the head of the chemistry department at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School in Leicestershire.

Leading Education

In 1978, he joined Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools, which is now known as Ofsted. In this role, he helped rebuild the education system in Kuwait after the first Gulf War. By 1989, he became the chief inspector for secondary schools. In November 2000, he took on the top job as the Chief Inspector of Schools for Ofsted. He held this important position until he retired in 2002.

After Retirement

Even after retiring, Michael Tomlinson continued to work for education. He led an investigation into some problems with A-level exam grades. In 2003, he was chosen to lead a group that looked at how education for young people aged 14 to 19 could be improved.

He has also been involved with many other important organizations. He was a governor at the University of Hertfordshire and a member of the boards for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the National Assessment Agency. He also helped the Science Museum connect with the public. Since 2008, he has been a chief adviser for schools in London, helping them improve.

Awards and Recognition

In 1997, Michael Tomlinson was given the CBE award, which stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This is a special honor from the Queen. On December 31, 2004, he was made a knight. This means he can use the title "Sir" before his name, recognizing his outstanding contributions to education.

Personal Life

Michael Tomlinson married Maureen Janet Tupling in 1965 in Rotherham. They have two children, a son born in 1968 and a daughter born in 1970. His children first attended local comprehensive schools, but later went to grammar schools.