Nansi Ellis is assistant general secretary for the National Education Union, with responsibility for education policy and research.

Nansi began her teaching career as a primary teacher in a bilingual school in west Wales, and then moved to London to teach in a middle school. She worked on national testing and data collection for the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, then managed the early years team at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, helping to develop the early years foundation stage. She joined ATL as a primary education adviser, becoming assistant general secretary for policy before ATL’s amalgamation with NUT. She has developed the NEU’s education policy and research to be a leading voice representing members’ views and concerns to government, the media, and other stakeholders, and furthering the professional agency of those who work in schools, colleges and early years settings.

Recently, she has led her team’s work on education, including exams and qualifications, during the pandemic, developing policy and guidance for members. She has led work on education recovery, and on education policy for the future particularly in assessment and accountability. Nansi provided expert support to Professor Louise Hayward and the Independent Assessment Commission, A New ERA.