In a career in education spanning more than 25 years, I have undertaken a variety of roles and am never one to shy away from a new challenge. During my time in the classroom, I have taught across the primary age-range, from nursery to Year 6. This has given me a real insight into child development and a practical understanding of the need for adaptive teaching.
I have senior leadership experience at deputy and head of school level in contrasting settings: an expanding village primary school and urban schools in areas of deprivation and diversity. My leadership experience has helped me to develop a keen eye for systems and processes, looking for ways to refine these to maximum effect to positively impact on workload and pupils’ wellbeing and outcomes.
Early in my career, I balanced class teaching with local authority advisory roles in science, and able, gifted and talented provision, leading the way at a local and national level in provision for higher attaining pupils. It was my desire to make a more significant impact on a greater number of pupils that led me into full-time advisory work. I was fortunate to be able to build on my experience, teaching our youngest pupils, and take up the position of Early Years Adviser, focusing on Communication, Language and Literacy. Having previously taken on the role of SENDCo and had to bring about rapid improvements to systems and provision, the opportunity to become the School Improvement Adviser for SEND in the local authority was a challenge I relished.
Besides teaching and advisory work in the English state system, I have experience working internationally, delivering training and offering tailored support to schools working with the English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish and international curricula. This role gave me a real insight into curriculum design and the importance of having a strong grasp of this key statutory document that shapes our work in schools.
In recent years, I have reignited my passion for literacy and numeracy as the School Improvement Adviser for Primary Maths and English. In this role, I was the central provider of CPD, and oversaw standards in primary schools across the local authority. I have also qualified as an STA moderator for a number of years, being called in to schools throughout the year to support moderation processes. I ensure my own practice remains fresh and innovative by keenly following new developments in education.
I remain as passionate about education now as I was on my first day, with my very first class. However, the knowledge and experience I have built over my career to date has taught me the power of being the supportive hand to guide fellow professionals on their own journey. I pride myself on providing clear, actionable advice that can be quickly put into practice and have an impact.