Sheila Jeanne Browne, (25 December 1924 – 26 August 2015) was an English academic specialising in Medieval French, Chief Inspector of Schools for the United Kingdom, and Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge.
Early life and education Browne was born on 25 December 1924. She was educated at Ranelagh School in Bracknell, before studying modern languages at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. After graduating in 1945, she spent two years at the École Nationale des Chartes.
Career In 1947 Browne began teaching and researching as an Assistant Lecturer at Royal Holloway College, University of London. In 1951 she became a Tutor, Fellow and Lecturer in French at St Hilda's College, Oxford.
In 1961 Browne was appointed as an Inspector of Schools, then in 1970 Staff Inspector for Secondary Education until 1972. She was promoted to Chief Inspector of Schools in 1974, and held this post until 1983. Her reports were frequently critical of government policy."Sheila Browne" Obituary, Oxford Today, 2015 She spoke out against what she saw as government interference in the operations and curriculum of the school system"Landscape architect". The Guardian, Will Woodward, 5 Apr 2005 and about the standards set for school inspectors."Let us dispose of the myths of his regime". TES, By Patricia Rowan, 10 November 2000. She also spoke out about the need for research into effective methods of education in a changing society."Indicators of Institutional Achievement: Some Theoretical and Empirical Considerations". D. M. Yorke, Higher Education, Vol. 16, No. 1 (1987), pp. 3-20"School Education in England: problems and initiatives - The Yellow Book (1976)". Education England website, Derek Gillard 5 May 2015. In the 1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Browne became an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College in 1978. She was Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge, from 1983 to 1992."Sex was her secret weapon". Review of Margaret Thatcher: vol 1, the grocer's daughter by John Campbell. The Independent, 6 May 2000 She was described by the vice-principal, Gill Sutherland, as "a formidable administrator, not afraid to grasp nettles and guaranteed to test the argument of any and every draft paper for a meeting to its limits". Mary Beard wrote that she could be "terrifying", particularly to younger colleagues, but was also generous.
Personal Browne did not marry. Her leisure interests included bellringing,"Sheila Browne RIP". Newsletter of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers. 7 September 2015 mountains and medieval France. She died on 26 August 2015.
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