“Twenty years ago I qualified with QTS. Today I strive to share my devotion to inclusive teaching and learning with our new, vital generation of teachers.”
With a passion for truly inclusive teaching and learning, my work in education spans two decades. During this time, I have worked as a senior leader in both secondary and primary settings, improving whole school teaching and learning, cross-curricular literacy, subject department leadership, staff development, mental health and wellbeing, safeguarding and, most recently, inclusion.
Supported by a wealth of experience in SEN provision, my holistic approach to pupil progress is further strengthened through deep-rooted pedagogical and curriculum knowledge, across all ages and phases. I am a qualified SENDco, Designated Safeguarding Lead, as well as a certified Safer Recruitment trainer and Mental Health First Aider.
I am deeply committed to my continuing work in Initial Teacher Training – supporting schools, SCITTs and universities with ITT and ITE curriculum design, training delivery and quality assurance. I have also recently published a number of resources and tools for teachers and mentors, supporting inclusive and adaptive practices for teachers of all levels.
An experienced public speaker, writer and trainer, I am passionate about inspiring teachers to consistently learn and evolve in their own practices. Always research informed, alongside lived experience, I aim to engage and motivate others to embrace truly inclusive pedagogy and practice.
Outside of work, I have a deep love and curiosity of nature and the outdoors. A mental health and wellbeing advocate, I strive to connect my mentees and pupils to nature at every opportunity. I believe all practitioners have something to learn about a holistic approach to teaching. We all have the potential to take flight, when the right environment and support is provided.
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NASENCO - PG cert National Award for Special Educational Need Co-ordination
MA Philosophy of Religion -
PGCE Qualified Teacher Status Secondary Religious Studies
BA (Joint hons) English Language and Literature, with Theology and Religious Studies
Coaching and Mentoring L3 - NASBTT
Designated Safeguarding Lead L3 - Oxfordshire safeguarding children board
Safer recruitment Lead : Train the Trainer - Lucy Faithful Foundation
Mental Health First Aider - St John’s Ambulance
Inclusion Quality Mark [IQM] Schools assessor
Enhanced DBS certification
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My teaching career began in Oxford secondary schools, teaching English, Religious Studies and Philosophy from KS3 to A level. I quickly gained roles of responsibility, becoming a Head of Year within 12 months. Head of Department roles followed, leading on to Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning for almost a decade. From Senior Leadership I moved into Teacher Training, but most recently I qualified and worked as Primary SLT, safeguarding Lead and SENDco.
I have worked in the UK and overseas, leading on projects such as cross-curricular collaboration, whole school literacy, ethos and values curriculum, pupil voice, mixed ability teaching and SEND. During this time, I have had the additional privilege of collaborating with a number of universities in both research and delivery.
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ITT has been part of my remit for seven years. During this time I have led on the Assessment Only route to Qualified Teacher Status, overseen subject studies curricular, designed internal curriculum in line with the DfE ITTECF and led specifically in English studies for secondary trainees.
My SCITT experience has led to roles in curriculum design, development and publication of training materials for teacher trainees and their mentors.
Working with Anspear and NASBTT (The National Association of School Based Teacher Trainers), I am proud to have designed, managed and co-authored the National Mentor Development Modules, as well as delivering content for the Teacher Development Trust and The Chartered College of Teaching.
This experience has unlocked a passion for research and writing, specifically in developing educational training materials.
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I began Mentoring early in my teaching career as a support to those training and developing their teaching practice. This practice has evolved over time to include wellbeing support and work as a Mental Health First Aider.
I now offer coaching and mentoring to those seeking additional support with their own journeys, as teachers, or as young people, particularly those who may not be able to access full time, in-school education.
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2023 saw me take up a contract with NASBTT as Curriculum Designer. We developed the highly successful Mentor Development Modules, to support teacher trainers with their mentorship needs in line with the CCF, and ensuring that professional development was retained for these expert colleagues.
The project enabled me to meet, and work, with brilliant educationalists from around the UK, ensuring research-informed pedagogy was commissioned and presented across a range of vital topics.
The opportunity awoke in me a desire to continue this important work, and I have since developed further units of study for Birmingham Newman University and Anspear Educational Publishers.
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At the heart of all of my roles, particularly those connected to research and teacher training, a common thread was SEN and inclusion. I am constantly driven to seek just and equitable ways of learning for all, but in particular our most vulnerable.
I am a qualified SENDco - The experience I have had in this role has further fuelled this fire for equity and fairness in education. I offer family support and advocacy, as well as staff training to ensure that inclusion education becomes a far more widespread reality.
Most recently I have been awarded ‘Inclusion Quality Mark’ Assessor Status allowing me to observe and celebrate inclusive best practice across IQM schools.