The Mayor’s Education Inquiry ran from December 2011 until the end of September 2012, and explored the critical challenges facing London’s primary and secondary schools.

Dr Tony Sewell – education commentator and former teacher, and CEO of Generating Genius – was appointed by the Mayor to chair the Education Inquiry. The full list of Inquiry Panel members is set out in their final report.

The Inquiry examined key challenges for education in London and in its Final Report, published on 19 October 2012, made 12 recommendations to the Mayor for practical action with key partners including schools, Government, boroughs, business, voluntary and community sector and cultural organisations. The Mayor published his response on the same day welcoming and accepting these recommendations. He outlined how he will respond to the key report themes of promoting teaching excellence, preparing young people for life and work in a global city and ensuring a good school place for every child. 

You can download and read the full report and the Mayor’s Response below, as well as a summary of the responses to the Inquiry's call for evidence.

The DfE, on behalf of the GLA, carried out for the Inquiry a survey of London headteachers by independent research agency, BMG Research. You can download and read below the survey findings report, which includes an executive summary.

Further consultation, following a series of seminars and workshops, took place in July 2012. Three hearing sessions were held at City Hall with experts in school improvement and teaching and learning and also from business leaders on youth employment.

Other Inquiry publications are also listed below.