NSEAD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Adult Education / Higher Education )
Andy Ash is currently President Elect of NSEAD and an artist, teacher and researcher. Andy was elected in autumn 2023 and will succeed Marlene Wylie as NSEAD President on 1 January 2025.
Andy is an experienced Artist and Associate Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Strong education professional skilled in Contemporary Art, Art Education, Galleries & Museums, Lecturing, Research and ITE. He is a member and chair of the Red Herring Studio Group in Portslade. He is the InSEA European Regional Council Chair and the Vice President of the NSEAD.
Chloe has been with NSEAD since 2016, and takes care of finance and membership.
Job Titles:
- Programmes and Partnerships Manager
Diane develops and delivers events and training programmes that respond to the needs of art educators across the UK. Working in collaboration with members,…
Steven has been an educator for nearly 20 years, and currently is Director of Arts, Culture and Community for the Odyssey Trust for Education.
Ged has worked in education since the late 70's, as a teacher and subject leader and as adviser, inspector and consultant. Ged has been a caseworker for five years and is committed to equality and employee rights.
Ged has taught all areas of art & design up to A Level, before moving into subject advisory and school improvement positions in several LAs where he provided CPD and guidance in art & design, arts, technology and e learning. Alongside this he inspected for Ofsted over 22 years, worked freelance as Director of an Arts Consultancy company and for 15 years was Creativity Consultant for two large UK education contractors.
Ged has contributed to PGCE and SCITT programmes, has been a SI Partner to both primary and secondary schools. He has published guidance on many aspects of teaching art & design including, assessment, e-learning, design, curriculum, SMSC, equalities and health & safety. He contributed to national initiatives on AFL, Thinking Skills, Digital learning and BSF (designing art & design teaching spaces).
Now he is semi-retired, he enjoys painting and sculpting in his studio, digital photography, DIY and repairing things. He is an avid reader, member of a film club, likes to walk and enjoys a glass of ale.
John Childs is Honorary Treasurer, a past president (2009-2010) and is now semi-retired.
John has worked throughout his career as an art teacher, head of department, faculty head, assistant principal and latterly Art College Director and creator/curator of the Michael Heseltine Gallery at Chenderit Specialist Visual Arts School in Northamptonshire.
He is Assistant Principal Moderator for OCR art and design, a member of the DfE Expert Subject Advisory group and enjoys painting, pottery, travel and gardening.
Kirstie's role is to communicate with members and promote NSEAD's mission to art educators.
Kirstie has an MA in Creative Writing from UEA and completed her BA in English and American Literature at Goldsmiths. She has worked in publishing and across the art and design sector. As a writer and editor, she runs a small feminist press and has collaborated with artists on two of her own poetry books.
She is passionate about everyone's right to access art and culture and is excited to champion NSEAD's work supporting art educators.
Marlene Wylie is President of NSEAD and a creative education consultant. Having trained originally as a textiles designer she has taught art, craft and design in inner and outer London multicultural primary and secondary schools for over 20 years.
Marlene has delivered whole school training, from Foundation Stage EYFS to Secondary Level, as well as to trainee teachers on ITT programmes.
Marlene is the Visualise Project Lead for the Runnymede Trust. She leads the Visualising Inclusive Practice team and project, which aims to deliver the first major research commission into access to the visual arts for Black, Asian and minority ethnic students. She oversees the project including the overall research design and implementation as part of the wider arts and arts education space in the UK.
She is a member of the Anti-Racist Art Education Action group and through her lived experience, speaks to this critical issue of anti-racism with an authentic and profoundly reflective voice. Follow Marlene on twitter @infoWylie and facebook @Marlene.wyliensead
Job Titles:
- General Secretary
- General Secretary and CEO of the National Society for Education
Michele Gregson is General Secretary and CEO of the National Society for Education in Art and Design - the trade union, professional body and learned society for art, craft and design professionals.
Michele has worked throughout her career with children, young people and educators in arts education and cultural settings. She firmly believes in the power of the collective - working together to make change through the arts.
After working for many years in London and Kent as an art teacher, Head of Department and school leader, she joined Kent County Council's Advisory Service for Schools, supporting schools in challenging circumstances, then as Adviser for Art & Design, for all Kent schools. She spent ten years working as an independent arts consultant, before taking office at NSEAD in January 2019.
Pat has been with NSEAD since 1997 and is one of two office staff that can help you with your general and membership enquiries.
Job Titles:
- Principal Trade Union Case Worker
Seán has been an active Trade Unionist since 2001 when he first became a school rep and has held elected positions both locally, regionally and nationally. Seán has been an active caseworker for over 8 years.
Seán qualified as a teacher in 1997 and has held several roles in his career, from classroom teacher to assistant head teacher. He has also been involved in teacher training, e learning and has worked in South Africa.
In his time outside of education, Seán is the resident MC at Hollywood Comedy Club (the Midlands Comedy Club of the Year 2021/22). He is a lifelong Aston Villa fan and he counts walking his English Springer Spaniel and mixology among his hobbies.
Job Titles:
- Editor
- Deputy General Secretary
As Deputy General Secretary at The National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) Sophie leads on policy and research.
Sophie is editor of AD, NSEAD's magazine for art educators. She has been an associate lecturer and external examiner for the PGCE art & design at Goldsmiths University of London and a member of the DfE's Expert Subject Advisory Group for Art, Craft & Design.
Prior to joining NSEAD she was the Senior Leader for Creative and Performing Arts at The Charter School, London, and had previous teaching experience in secondary schools, in a prison and in a child and family psychiatry unit.