Simon Clements was the deputy head teacher of Woodberry Down Comprehensive School from 1972 - 1982, and then the acting head teacher when it became Stoke Newington School between 1982 and 1983.
Clements later became a HMI (northern division) from 1985 - 1995.
During his time as a HMI, along with a colleague, Francis Findlay, he wrote a report on 'Written English in GCSE and Pre-Vocational Work Experience'.
He is a strong advocate for work experience and was influential in the introduction of schools / industry work in schools across the UK. This was a range of activities and schemes in the new area of relating school curriculum to the work place and industries; a break from the traditional subject base curriculum and explore active experiences of learning.