Phil Willis Biography

Phil Willis was born in Burnley, Lancashire, on 30 November 1941. He was educated at Burnley Grammar School between 1953 and 1960. He excelled in sport and was a trialist for Burnley FC.

He studied History and Music at the City of Leeds and Carnegie College, qualifying as a teacher in 1963. Later in his career he gained a B.Phil. Degree with distinction in 1978.

Phil's teaching career was spent mostly in Leeds. His most rewarding period was spent at Primrose Hill High School in the Chapeltown district of Leeds where for seven years he was involved in multi-cultural education and outreach youth work. He became Deputy Headteacher at West Leeds Boys' Grammar School in 1974.

In 1978 he became Headteacher of Ormesby School in Middlesbrough where he helped pioneer the integration of children with physical disabilities into mainstream education. In 1983 he returned to Leeds as Headteacher of one of the city's largest comprehensive schools, John Smeaton Community High School. Situated in one of the more deprived areas of Leeds he continued his mission for 'inclusive' education.

He became involved in pioneering East Leeds Family Learning Centre 'The Family of Schools' which brought together the agencies concerned with developing opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Phil joined the Liberal Party in 1985 and was elected to Harrogate Borough Council in 1988. In 1990 he became Leader of the Council and following his election to North Yorkshire County Council in 1993 became Deputy Group Leader.

His period as leader of Harrogate Borough Council coincided with a rise in Liberal Democrat representation. He is responsible for many of the regeneration initiatives that have made the area one of the top earners in the country. His most notable success was turning the famous Harrogate Conference Centre from a white elephant into a £1m a year success story.

As MP, Phil has continued to work hard for Harrogate and Knaresborough, especially on the issues of crime, health and education. Phil held the position of Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills from 1999 to 2005.

Phil has been married to Heather, a schoolteacher, for over 30 years, and has a daughter, Rachel (28) and a son Michael (25).