Joan Sjovoll 

Joan Sjovoll has been Headteacher at Framwellgate School Durham since 2001.  A large comprehensive school for students aged 11-19 years of age, Framwellgate is a specialist science college, Training School, host to and partner in Science Learning Centre North East and has been awarded National Support School status.   In April 2010, following the formation of Durham Framwellgate Campus – the joining of Framwellgate School Durham, Durham Trinity School and Framwellgate Moor Primary School, she became Acting Chief Executive of the Campus.

She was previously Headteacher of a secondary school facing challenging circumstances and for the past 20 years she has worked extensively to support school improvement at primary and secondary phases.  She has been a judge for The National Teaching Awards; a governor at New College Durham; a member of Court at Newcastle University;  Headteacher representative on the Specialist Schools and Academies Science Panel; a Council member of Future Matters and  contributed to assessment materials for the mandatory headship qualification produced by The National College of School Leadership.  She regularly speaks at national conferences on education and is invited to contribute to international conferences and study visits.   From January 2006, whilst retaining her Headship at Framwellgate, she was invited to lead the Newcastle Science City Integrated Education Strategy, a regional initiative to raise attainment an increase participation in science.  Joan has been a member of the Public Engagement Strategy Committee at the Wellcome Trust, is a Trustee for STEMNET and a Trustee for project ENTHUSE at the National Science Learning Centre.  She was appointed as a National Leader of Education in 2007.   She is Chief Executive of Framwellgate Education Services Ltd, company owned by Framwellgate School Durham providing school improvement services. More recently she served as a member of the Science and Learning Expert Group, tasked to report to Ministers in 2010 under the chairmanship of Sir Mark Walport.

Joan Sjovoll is a member of the Vision for science and mathematics education 5-19 project committee.