Jon Coles

We are delighted to be speaking with Jon Coles in episode 3 of EduTalk.Jon’s career has been remarkable: he was the lead civil servant on the London Challenge and later held senior national roles as Director 14–19 and Director General for Schools and Education Standards. He is now the Chief Executive of United Learning.Jon is one of our many Unfinished Business: The Life and Legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse contributors and knew Tim well. In this episode, he builds on topics from our previous conversation with Mick Waters and Steve Munby, continuing the discussion on tackling inequity and inconsistency in our education system. He saw the London Challenge from the inside and carried that ambition for higher, more consistent standards into his later roles and into United Learning.Thoughtful, measured and reflective, Jon’s insights carry real weight. This is an episode well worth the time of anyone committed to a better future for all young people.