Ofsted appoints first religious school leader as chairman

Ofsted has appointed Sir Hamid Patel as its new interim chairman, marking the first time a leader from a religious school has held this position. He replaces Dame Christine Ryan, who stepped down in November 2024. Sir Hamid is the chief executive of Star Academies Trust, which operates around 40 schools, including Islamic and Christian institutions. He has been on Ofsted's board since 2019 and was knighted for his contributions to education. His appointment comes amid criticism of Ofsted's inspection methods and a push for reforms. Teachers have expressed concerns that proposed changes may increase their workload and stress levels.