3es education

After a successful career as a science teacher and headteacher of a large comprehensive, Valerie was appointed as the Principal of the first City Technology College in Kingshurst, Birmingham. She was Midlands Business Woman of the Year in 2000 and was education advisor, project manager and Chief Executive for the first ever academy set up in England. She established 3es Education with her late husband, Stanley Goodchild.

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She has been involved in the planning and start-up of new primary and secondary schools, including free schools, academies and University Technical Colleges (UTCs). She has extensive experience in successful bid preparation underpinned by hands-on experience in designing new builds; curriculum planning and development; project management; recruitment of the principal and staff, marketing and recruitment of students; financial planning and budgets. Valerie has also recruited governors, undertaken governor training and supported multi-academy trust development.

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Valerie’s career in education includes the wholesale transformation of several underperforming schools. She has been the driving force behind the design and educational philosophy of these schools. She set up the first ever federation of state schools in England. Valerie was a member of the Council of St George’s House, Prince Philip’s Think Tank on national and international issues, from 1990 to 2004. She has been an advisor to the Prime Minister’s office on the regeneration of schools, a Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Select Committee on Education and Skills, an Ofsted Inspector, a Fellow of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and was Chair of the RIBA Design Quality Forum for Schools.

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Valerie is a Trustee of the SGS Multi-Academy Trust in Stroud.