Karl Napieralla OBE
Professional Development Lead
Karl has had a very successful career in the public sector for over forty years working at local, regional, national and international level as a Corporate Director, Headteacher, and more recently senior Civil servant. He was awarded an OBE for his services to Education in Wales.
In his role with Welsh Government, Karl has coordinated the successful recovery of a number of local authorities placed in special measures or monitoring by the Inspectorate Estyn, overseeing the work of Recovery Boards and Improvement groups and as a result has drafted a Ministerial Intervention strategy for use in the future. His other main role has been to assist with the development of the National model, and review and challenge the work of the evolving regional consortia set up as a result. Whilst in Welsh government he has chaired ministerial task and finish groups, completed a number of organisational reviews both internally and externally, and served on steering groups for national programmes.
His work at national and international level has seen Karl lead a number of study visits abroad and at home, participate and deliver papers and presentations at national and international conferences including the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, International Leaders Dialogues, and for the British Council. He has been chair and vice chair of the Association of Directors of Education in Wales, and acted as an Adviser to the Welsh Local Government Association on a number of occasions including giving evidence to Welsh and UK governments ‘ select committees.
At regional level he was instrumental in the founding of the South West Wales Regional Learning Partnership, and the first Lead Director of the Erw consortium.
Karl was Corporate Director for Education, Leisure and Life long learning, and Lead Director for Children in a successful local authority. The authority consistently provided top value added examination results for children and young people over many years, through a strong partnership with schools. He presided over a £98 million 21st Century Schools programme , and was responsible for the design and delivery of the first five school 3-16 federation in Wales. Karl also designed and led the authority’s Corporate Leadership programme producing many outstanding senior managers, and participated in a number of EU leadership projects and programmes for professionals and young people.
As Headteacher Karl led a successful comprehensive school in an extremely deprived area, improving pupil outcomes year on year, and ensuring the school operated at the heart of its local community. He also assisted in the development and delivery of a successful County wide leadership programme for aspiring school leaders.
He is a co founder of the Ospreys Foundation and currently a trustee and board member of the organisation for the Welsh rugby region.
Karl’s maxim is a simple one: ‘ no problems only solutions’ , setting high personal standards and expecting the same for others.