Katie Ivens

Educational activist Katie Ivens supports the values, mission and ethos of the Roger Diamond Foundation and is a Patron.

Whilst her children were still young, Katie became a primary school reading volunteer then, a parent governor. Extraordinary events led her to become a parent campaigner for ‘real education' which led to her becoming Vice Chairman of the aptly named The Campaign for Real Education (CRE). 

As time moved on Katie became a secondary school governor at Quintin Kynaston School and was so for some years. She went on to become a Westminster City Councillor with a special interest in education. This eventually led to her being involved in Westminster Council regeneration programmes, notably Estate Action on the then-notorious Mozart Estate.

In the of summer 1995, together with Irina Tyk - author of the Butterfly whole-class literacy teaching method - Katie helped Roger Diamond set up a trial of the ground-breaking teaching method on the Mozart Estate. Then circa 1996 with Roger Diamond and ten other residents from Mozart Estate and the local area, she co-founded the educational charity, Real Action (QPCT) Ltd.

Her educational advocacy – particularly on the broadcast media – continues as the CRE’s Vice Chairman. Katie continues her educational activism - wearing various hats. She is also an Associate of the Institute of Ideas and member of the IoI Education Forum.