A visionary leader and champion of teachers, Sir Tim Brighouse was responsible for significant and lasting change in the education sector in the UK over the course of his lengthy career. He held the pivotal role of Chief Education Officer in both Oxfordshire and Birmingham, each one for a decade, and Schools Commissioner for London, where he led the highly regarded London Challenge. His unique approach, characterised by a steadfast belief in the power of teaching and the potential of every student, revolutionised educational practices and outcomes.
Tim’s passing on the 15th of December 2023 was felt keenly by the education community, prompting a wave of heartfelt tributes from friends, family and colleagues alike. Knighted for his services to education in 2009, he was completely dedicated to improving education and in his last few years worked tirelessly with Mick Waters on their important book, About Our Schools.
Edited by David Cameron, Steve Munby and Mick Waters, Unfinished Business is both a tribute to Tim and a call to action based on his approaches, commitment and ideas. It includes contributions from numerous experienced and diverse authors on a wide range of issues, including policy, politics, accountability and governance; curriculum, pedagogy and assessment; school improvement, leadership and technology; and inclusion, equity and diversity. Throughout the book, contributors draw inspiration from Tim’s work to offer advice and guidance on their various areas of expertise. It is full of ideas and insights that will inspire readers to continue the work to which Tim devoted his life.
The first part of the book celebrates Tim’s life and his many achievements. This includes contributions from his son Harry and longstanding colleagues and friends such as Bob Moon, David Woods and John Coles. These accounts provide a rounded picture of Tim and make the case for listening to him and commemorating him in action not just words. This part also includes contributions from David Blunkett and Estelle Morris, underlining Tim’s national status. The picture of Tim that emerges is that of an inspiring, charismatic, eccentric and a formidably wise and competent figure.
The book is titled Unfinished Business because it acknowledges the work still to be done to realise Tim’s ambitions. Hence the second part of the book is forward-looking, with contributions from close friends, colleagues, policy makers, politicians and the people that Tim thought made the most difference: teachers in schools. They explore what we need to do now in order to continue Tim’s work in their particular area of expertise. They prompt the reader to grapple with the complexity of our schooling world, to think more widely, deeply and creatively about the future of education and, above all, to help young people create a better future.
Unfinished Business is a must-read for anyone passionate about education, from teachers and school leaders to policymakers and parents. It is a celebration of the extraordinary life and work of Sir Tim Brighouse and a compelling roadmap for educational progress based on his enduring legacy.
In the closing chapter, David Cameron shares some final thoughts on his colleague and close friend: “Tim always saw education as being central, not only to individual lives but to society more generally. He got results and made lasting, significant and substantial change. He showed us how to be more Tim. He showed us the qualities that make a difference and, in doing so, set a path to ensuring the business can be finished.”
By combining a celebration of past achievements with a clear-eyed look at future challenges, this book offers a blueprint for the future of education. It is a call to arms for all who share Tim’s vision of a more equitable, humane and effective educational system. Only through delving into the life and work of this pioneering figure can we continue to address the unfinished business that Tim so passionately pursued.
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