Our People
Steve Bowden
20th March 2018
Steve Bowden works as an Education Consultant and has undertaken a wide range of work in the public and private sector in relation to educational policy and developments in Wales.
Steve was seconded to the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills for two years as a professional adviser. During the secondment to the Department for Education and Skills he was a member of the School Management and Effectiveness Division and also worked with the Social Justice Department on the Community Cohesion programme.
Prior to this he was the headteacher of Porth County Community School in Rhondda Cynon Taf between 1996 and 2011. He was deputy head teacher at Treorchy Comprehensive in Rhondda Cynon Taf School from 1992 -1996.
Steve started his career teaching biology and science in schools in South Glamorgan from 1977 to 1989, before being involved in the management of the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative for South Glamorgan between 1989 -1992.
Steve is committed to the principles of community focused schooling. This is clearly recognised at Porth County Community School and in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where an innovative approach to community focused schooling has been recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding example of translating policy into practice.
Steve’s expertise has been widely sought during his long and varied career in education. He has been invited to present on a range of educational topics both in the UK and abroad, including an ALITE conference in London, the Commenius programme in Brussels and most recently at an educational symposium in Moscow. He is regularly invited to schools and conferences to provide leadership on community focused schooling. His work in this area has been described as exemplary and has been recognised nationally. This particular achievement has led to invitations to Downing Street on two occasions.
He was President of ASCL (Cymru) 2006 -2007 and Honorary Secretary from 2009. Steve has also contributed extensively to and served on a large number of committees, panels and working groups throughout his career, both locally and nationally. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Cardiff Active Arts Trust and Techniquest as well as acting as an ambassador for the Dallaglio Foundation in Wales. He has also served as a Director for Careers Wales (Mid Glamorgan and Powys). He has acted as an adviser to the All Wales CONTEST Board and the National Numeracy and Literacy Advisory Panel.
He has written a number of publications on a wide range of educational issues. Among them are ‘Respect and Resilience – developing community cohesion – a common understanding for schools and their communities’, Welsh Government, 2011; ‘Examining GCSE Biology’ Co-author, published by Century Hutchinson, 1988 and ‘Industrial Use of Micro-organisms’, published by ASE, 1984.
When he has free time he enjoys walking the wonderful hills of Wales. He has undertaken a number of walks in aid of charity; completing the Ty Hafan Three Peaks Challenge; Across Wales Walk in a Day and a 14 day climbing and trekking expedition in Patagonia as part of an International Challenge team in aid of Cancer Research U.K. Steve is a keen rugby supporter and other relaxing activities include fishing and cooking.