Jonathan Simons

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Varkey Foundation


Jonathan is the newly appointed Director at the not-for-profit organisation established to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children throughout the world. He was formerly Head of the Education Unit at Policy Exchange, where he directed research on all aspects of education including Early Years, schools, skills and HE. Previously Jonathan worked at Serco Group, where he was Director of Strategy in the company’s specialist education practice. Prior to that, he was Head of Open Public Services in the Cabinet Office, and Head of Education in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit in the administrations of both Gordon Brown and David Cameron. Outside of work Jonathan is the Chair of Governors and Co-Founder of Greenwich Free School, and a Trustee of Reach4 Multi Academy Trust. He writes a weekly column for the TES newspaper on politics and education policy.

Jonathan Simons

Related Posts & Publications

Nice aims, shame the law’s a mess…

Nice aims, shame the law’s a mess…

by | Mar 8, 2017

Read Publication Clarity in law is much more than an arcane pursuit. This short collection of essays examines the importance of ensuring that the legislation associated with education both supports the policy aims of the state and matches our understanding of high...
The skills we need, and why we don’t have them

The skills we need, and why we don’t have them

by | Nov 11, 2016

Read Publication Apprenticeships programme needs stronger focus on quality, says Policy Exchange. New report urges the government to put in place a high level quality target alongside its existing commitment to create 3 million new Apprenticeship starts by 2020 The...
Time to Care

Time to Care

by | Jan 25, 2016

Read Report Today, the Third Reading of the Childcare Bill takes place in Parliament. Assuming the Bill passes and receives Royal Assent, the introduction of 30 hours a week free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds offers an immediate financial...