Professor Sir Tim Brighouse graduated from St Catherine’s   College, Oxford, with a degree in history, followed by two years’ training  at Norham Gardens. He began his career teaching in   grammar and secondary modern schools, becoming a deputy head at the age of 26. He later became Deputy in the ILEA and was the Chief Education Officer in Oxfordshire for ten years. He went on to become Professor of Education at Keele University, where he founded the Centre for Successful Schools. He was Commissioner for London Schools from 2002-2007, during which time he led the London Challenge. In 1996 he founded the University of the First Age, a Birmingham-based national charity that enriches and extends learning opportunities for young people aged 5-25. He was awarded an honorary degree from the Open University as Doctor of the University in 1997, and an honorary degree from the Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln as Doctor of the University College in 2009. He was knighted in the 2009 New Year Honours. He is a Fellow at Norham Gardens, where he lectures and researches on school improvement, educational policy (especially affecting schools), teaching and learning. He is also the author of several books.