Patrick Leeson

Patrick Leeson was Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education for Kent County Council between 2011 and 2018.

Previously he was National Director, Education and Care, for Ofsted where he was responsible for policy on inspection of schools, initial teacher education, children’s centres, early years and childcare, as well as the annual assessments of Local Authority Children’s Services.

Prior to joining Ofsted he was Strategic Director of Learning and Children’s Services for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, between 2002 and 2009, where he was responsible for education, children’s social services as well as arts, libraries and adult education.

Patrick has worked as a teacher and headteacher in secondary schools, and as an adviser and inspector before taking up senior officer roles in local government education and children’s services. 

Patrick is a past Chair of the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS) and was also on the national council for the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).  He has been a member of the Advisory Groups for reviews of the National Curriculum and was on the steering group for the Tickell Review of the Early Years Foundation Stage.