Robert Young

Robert’s professional background is in initial teacher education, having been involved in higher education since 1973, and retiring from full-time work and the role of Director of Learning and Quality for the University of Greenwich School of Education in 2007. On the national front he was very active in a leadership role in the National Primary Teacher Education Council, serving initially as its Secretary and then as Chair. Fuelled by a strong commitment to the celebration of best practice in primary education, he played a formative role in the establishment of the SE London branch of the National Association for Primary Education (NAPE), which was uniquely based on a close partnership between the University of Greenwich and local schools. Semi-retirement has enabled him to contribute to the co-ordination of NAPE at a national level and he is currently its General Secretary, combining this with administrative responsibilities for the Primary Umbrella Group, a forum for representatives from the teaching unions and associations like NAPE, with a strong interest in primary education. Another key area of interest has been school governance, serving as a Chair of Governors of a Greenwich Primary School and relishing the close contact with a vibrant school community and the opportunities to experience some inspirational practice.