David Bell

Permanent Secretary, Department for Education and SKills

David Bell was born in Glasgow in March 1959.  He studied history and philosophy at Glasgow University and obtained his PGCE from Jordanhill College of Education.  He also has a Master of Education degree in management and administration from Glasgow University and honorary degrees from the University of Strathclyde and De Montford University.

Mr Bell held teaching posts at primary schools in Glasgow, moving on to become a deputy head, and then a head teacher in Essex.

In 1990, he became Assistant Director of Education at Newcastle City Council.  During this time he spent a year as a Harkness Fellow at Georgia State University, Atlanta, studying education and local government reform across the United States of America.

Mr Bell trained as an Ofsted team inspector in 1993.  He became a registered inspector in 1994 and carried out inspections in primary schools.

He was promoted to Director of Education and Libraries at Newcastle City Council in 1995 and became Chief Executive of Bedfordshire County Council in 2000.

Following this role, Mr Bell became as HM Chief Inspector of Schools on 1 May 2002. He was Chief Inspector for over three years until 1 January 2006, when he became Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills.

Mr Bell is married with two daughters who attend local state schools in Bedfordshire.