Dr Catherine Jones
Research Manager in the Evidence Synthesis Team at the Education Endowment Foundation
Dr Cat Jones works as a Research Manager in the Evidence Synthesis Team at the Education Endowment Foundation. She is also an Early Career Fellow at the University of Warwick's Institute of Advanced Study.
Cat has authored multiple peer-reviewed research papers on parental engagement in England. Her work on this topic has won several awards, including an Open Research Award 2025 for commitment to transparency and usability and 1st Prize for an early career presentation at the British Education Research Association Conference 2022.
She is a former Parliamentary Research Fellow, DfE Policy Fellow and Vice-President of Oxford University Student Union. Cat is also an experienced teacher and serves as Vice-Chair of Governors at a primary school in the North West. She holds a PhD Education, MA Social Science Research, MA Educational Leadership, PGCE, and BA Experimental Psychology.
Kirsty Foulkes
HMI and Specialist Adviser
Kirsty Foulkes is one of His Majesty's Inspectors and a specialist adviser in the Schools and Early Education policy team. She is a qualified teacher, holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship and a Masters' degree in Education Leadership and Management. Kirsty has leadership and headship experience in a range of primary schools, including small schools and federations. She has worked as a school improvement adviser and local authority early years moderator. Kirsty has considerable experience in leadership, curriculum and school improvement and particular expertise in early years. Kirsty leads on maintained nursery, primary and independent school inspections as well as being a phase leader on ITE inspections. Kirsty is part of the West Midlands Enhanced Indy team.
