Specialist Leaders of Education
Lisa Smith
School Priory Community School
Phase supported Secondary
Subject specialism SEND
Biography
I graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Theology and Religious Studies, before completing a PGCE in RE, also at Bristol. I started at Priory Community School, now part of the Priory Learning Trust as Head of RE in 2006, before becoming SENDCo in 2016. I have completed a Masters in Education, as well as the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinations. I am also qualified to assess exam access arrangements.
I am passionate about raising the aspirations and achievements of students with SEND, as well as supporting and challenging teachers and support staff to ensure that this can happen. Since September 2019 I have been SEND lead for the Priory Learning Trust which has allowed me to work alongside other SENDCos in order to improve SEND provision across The Trust. I have completed training with Whole School Send which enables me to lead SEND reviews across all settings.
Tom Walker
Biography
I graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in English Literature, followed by a PGCE in English from Bristol University. I started teaching English in Bristol and later was a head of English for a number of years. Following this, I was an assistant principal supporting the establishing of a new studio school, with responsibilities for teaching and learning and curriculum, and then a head of post 16.
I am now the Director of English for the Priory Learning Trust. I believe that English and literacy are of vital importance to our students, and that great teaching of these subjects should be the foundation of every students' educational experience. The work that I do with the English departments and teachers within the trust is all focussed on offering the best educational experience we can for our students.
Rebecca Barber
School Worle Community School Academy (WCSA)
Phase supported Secondary
Subject specialism History
Biography
I have a BA (Hons) degree in History and Social Science from the University of Birmingham. Before obtaining my PGCE from the Bath University, I spent a year as a cover supervisors at The Coleshill School to give me an insight into the world of teaching and have been teaching now for 10 years.
In 2013, I became Head of History at Worle Community School Academy, which is now part of the Priory Learning Trust, leading this department on a journey of development and improvement. In 2016, I became the Deputy Director of the Teaching School, alongside Chris Sherring, creating a leadership CPD model across the trust and further developing the role of the Teaching School. Since having two children, I have become a part time teacher of History while continuing to support and develop the department and school as a whole. In addition, I have worked as an associate at Pearson for 4 years, marking for the Edexcel History GCSE papers. This has allowed me to develop a detailed understanding of the requirements of this GCSE specification.
I hold a real passion for History and education, and feel that through collaboration we can drive excellence into all classrooms and in turn help all students achieve their goals.
Rachel Brace
School WCSA
Phase supported KS3/4
Subject specialism Behaviour, attendance, Year 6 - 7 transition
Biography
I have worked in education for 25 years within many different settings. These have included Primary, Secondary, specialist provisions- Medical, Alternative Provision and work for the Local Authority. I have been a Support worker, Mentor, SEND Manager and most recently a Non teaching Head of year. Within all these roles, taking time to listen and empower staff has been key to developing them to become excellent leaders in their field. Through researching effective systems and procedures to assess provision I have been able to make school provisions fit for purpose and cost effective. Leading my teams of tutors has enabled them to become effective pastoral leads and help them to break down emotional barriers to learning of some of our most vulnerable students. My middle leadership course taught me that even after 25 years of working in education that I still have knowledge to gain and share. I have a strong belief in fairness for all and am passionate about all young people being able to access education, regardless of their ability, circumstances or behaviour.
I have extensive experience of year 6 - 7 transition and believe in effective systems. These systems enable students to have the best chance at settling in quickly ensuring they become established members of their school within days of starting their secondary education. The process needs to be clear, communicated easily and be effective for all stakeholders.
Diane Martin
School St Anne’s Church Academy
Phase supported Primary
Subject specialism SEND
Biography
I am an experienced SENDCo who has led inclusion at St Anne’s for 15 years. I have a real passion for inclusion and believe that every child has a moral and legal right to participate and to be included in school life as fully as possible. As a leader of SEND I have had a significant impact on the way we include children with complex special educational needs and disabilities and in raising outcomes for them. I am a reflective leader who loves to read and research so that I can develop structures within our SEND department where we have the capacity to support children, staff and parents.
In my role as SENCO I have supported class teachers with removing barriers to learning and provided training (including staff meetings and INSETs) on the legalities of The SEN Code of Practice 2014 and the practicalities of teaching children with SEND. I have devised and implemented Learning Passports for recording the plan, do, review cycle and for giving a voice to parents and the child. I have run a hugely successful program of CPD for support staff giving teachers and support staff the skills and resources they need to support children and their families.
Catherine Owen
School The King Alfred School an Academy
Phase supported KS3-KD5
Subject specialism Geography
Biography
I have a BSc(Hons) in Geography from the University of Plymouth and MEds in School Effectiveness and School Improvement and in Professional Studies from Exeter University. My geography department at The King Alfred School an Academy is a Geographical Association Centre of Excellence and I am a GA Consultant. I am a Chartered Geographer and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In 2019 I became a UN accredited Climate Change teacher.
My teaching career started at Holyrood School in Chard, where I progressed from new teacher to KS3 co-ordinator, then developed when I moved to The King Alfred School to become Head of Geography in 1999. I have had the opportunity to lead in a number of areas over my years at King Alf's, including supporting most able students, cross-curricular literacy and feedback (not marking). I am particularly experienced in teaching AQA GCSE and A level geography and have examined the AQA A level paper 1 (physical geography).
I have worked across Somerset as part of the Action Plan for Geography and as Somerset Subject leader for geography in the past, organising joint INSET days and network meeting as well as coaching geography HoDs. I chair the Geographical Association International Special Interest group and regularly write and present CPD for the GA, Hodder Education, OUP, Seneca and Tutor2U.
Tabitha Sandy-Carman
School PCSA
Phase supported KS3/4
Subject specialism Challenging behaviour and effective Internal Exclusion Provision
Biography
I have been working in Education for 18 years with the majority of that time being with challenging students who have struggled to access learning for a variety of reasons. I have set up and managed our Return to Learn area for the last 5 years making this an effective space for students who need extra support with their behaviour. This area has been successful enough that it has supported our Local Authority with excluded students during placement shortages which led to income generation. The success of this area gave me the opportunity to present on the main stage at Pixl about Return to Learn and how it works which was followed by some very complimentary feedback from Senior Leaders.
I strongly believe that all children can change their behaviour when given the time and tools to do so. Taking down the barriers to learning and providing staff with effective strategies empowers children to want to change. I have successfully transitioned students deemed unsuitable for mainstream due to their challenging behaviour. I have watched them flourish and succeed leaving with the grades they truly deserved. Having spent time as a Head of Year I also have a good understanding of data, tracking, policies, procedures and the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum.
Louise Daniels
I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2004 with a First Class BSc Honours degree in Health and Environment, before completing the PGCE course in Secondary Science at Bath University in 2005. I began my teaching career at Priory Community School, in Weston super mare and quite quickly worked my way up to being the Head of Science and then the Assistant Principal for outcomes.
I joined The Priory Learning Trust in 2019 as the Director of Science and began working closely with three secondary Academies to develop their science curriculum and improve teaching and learning. I am currently working on creating cross phase CPD opportunities for staff working in three local primary academies to influence student engagement, develop staff professionally development and improve science outcomes.
Alexandra Webb
School St Anne’s Church Academy
Phase supported EYFS/KS1/KS2
Subject specialism Maths
Biography
I led maths for three years at Midsomer Norton Primary before moving to North Somerset in 2013 where I took over the maths leadership at St Anne’s Church Academy alongside teaching in the Y5/6 team. I was initially involved in a Teacher Work Group with the Boolean Maths Hub, ran by a fellow SLE, looking specifically at the mastery maths approach, as taught successfully in Singapore. After demonstrating my passion for this by embedding it effectively in my own school, I was asked to lead a Teacher Research Group to further develop the mastery approach across five schools in the area.
During my role as subject leader, I have coached many members of staff in leadership skills and run regular maths CPD sessions (including staff meetings and INSET training) with a clear focus on developing maths in the primary setting. I have devised and implemented new policies, lesson structure, resources and assessment approaches, all designed to further develop the effective teaching of maths. I have supported student teachers and NQTs as well as more experienced staff, offering them usable strategies and systems to effect change in the way they teach maths.
Lucy Rees
School Castle Batch Primary School Academy
Phase supported EYFS/KS1
Subject specialism Early Years
Biography
I am an experienced Early Years practitioner who is passionate about quality early years experiences provided through a child centred, playful approach to learning.
As a reflective practitioner I am continually asking myself questions and reading research to empower me to facilitate real joyful learning for children.
I recently had the privilege of contributing to a chapter on children’s wellbeing with Alyson Lewis Senior Lecturer in Education Studies at Bath Spa University. The chapter is in ‘ Teaching Early Years : Thomas & McInnes’ published by Sage.
During my 21 years teaching experience I have been the EYFS lead teacher and Beacon School Coordinator for a large Primary school in Northamptonshire. I have taught in a small school in Worcestershire and I currently teach in a large 60 place Reception Unit at Castle Batch Primary School.
I write an educational blog www.playplayandmoreplay.com and believe that all children deserve to thrive and should be provided with opportunities that allow them to discover the joy of lifelong learning.
Helen Lovejoy
School Castle Batch Primary School Academy
Phase supported EYFS/KS1
Subject specialism Phonics, EYFS/KS1, Curriculum
Biography
First and foremost I am a passionate teacher of young children. I have worked across the primary phase and currently teach Year 1, having taught and led EYFS for over 12 years. I currently lead EYFS, KS1 and whole school Curriculum at Castle Batch Primary Academy.
I work as part of a large team sharing good practice and learning collaboratively with other colleagues and leaders. As EYFS leader, I enjoy being in provision with children, observing how they engage with each other, the environment and the adults around them. I’m interested in unpicking data to discover what it is telling us about provision, cohorts, groups of children and individuals and how we can adapt and develop what we do to improve progress and outcomes for children.
As Key Stage Leader, I have led training to develop a holistic approach to reading and whole class phonics teaching in my own school and local schools in the area, showing significant improvement in pupil outcomes.
Sharon Goddard-Lock
School The Priory Learning Trust
Phase supported Secondary
Subject specialism Maths
Biography
I studied Mathematics and Statistics at Coventry University before entering the world of Health & Fitness Club Management. After six years of working in the Fitness industry, I took a year out to travel the world. On my return a career change was decided and I took a PGCE at the University of the West of England.
I have taught Mathematics, Statistics and further Maths over the past thirteen years in Weston schools, working for the majority of this time at Priory Community School. I have been a Head of Year and the ‘More Able Co-ordinator’ for Mathematics as well as a Subject Mentor for University students training to be teachers. I am now Director of Maths for The Priory Learning Trust working with three large secondary schools in the South West and two local primaries.
I am passionate about Mathematics and that every student is given every opportunity to reach their potential.
Vicky Pickford
School The King Alfred School Academy
Phase supported Secondary
Subject specialism English
Biography
I have a BA (Hons) degree in English and English Language & Linguistics from Roehampton University. I started teaching English in 2005 in Basingstoke, holding responsibility posts such as AGT Co-Ordinator and Curriculum Development. In 2011, I relocated to Somerset where I became Head of English at The King Alfred School Academy, which is now part of The Priory Learning Trust. Working closely with AQA as a Hub School and as an examiner has given me a detailed insight into the requirements of the new GCSE specifications.
David Clay
School The Priory Community School Academy
Phase supported Secondary
Subject specialism Design & Technology
Biography
I am a graduate of Loughborough University having studied BSc (Hons) Industrial design and technology with education.
I started my teaching career in Maidenhead before relocating and settling in Bristol. I have experience of teaching design & technology across the age and ability range in a number of schools. I have significant leadership experience at both middle and senior leader level, having led D&T teams; successfully developed the subject; improved student outcomes and most recently as an assistant headteacher.
I joined PCSA in 2018 as the Central Leader of Design. I am passionate about D&T and want the best for both students and staff. I consider myself to be broadly based D&T specialist, who enjoys promoting and developing all aspects of the subject. The knowledge, skills and experience gained has provided me with the essential skills required to lead and support all areas within D&T.
Rachel Jones
School Worle Village Primary School
Phase supported KS1/KS2
Subject specialism English
Biography
I qualified as a teacher 22 years ago and have had experience working in a variety of schools (large and small) with lots of inspirational teachers. I have taught across both key stages but always seem to find my way back to Year 6, which has developed my passion for the development of English teaching. I really enjoy teaching as no two days are ever the same.
My leadership experience has given me an insight across the whole Primary phase but I feel my expertise lies in my detailed knowledge of the English Curriculum and the assessment procedures. My experience with moderation has been extensive and I am proud of how robust my decisions have proven to be. I am excited to continue sharing good practice by working with other schools.
Philippa Densley
School Worle Village Primary School
Phase supported EYFS/KS1/KS2
Subject specialism Mathematics
Biography
I joined Worle Village Primary School in 2013 as Mathematics subject lead. Following successfully leading Worle Village Primary School from requires improvement to good, I attended training and became an NCETM accredited Professional Development Lead in 2014.
Working for the Learning Exchange in the past, I have written and led numerous CPD events and provided effective school improvement support.
I was part of the first cohort of Teaching Mathematics for Mastery Specialist Teachers (TMMST) for the Boolean Maths Hub and have taken part in the Shanghai Exchange in 2016. I am passionate about making mathematics accessible for all and developing a growth mind set in children. In addition to my role of TMMST, I am also a Primary Mastery Lead developing other TMMSTs and providing training and support across the Boolean region.
I have a Masters qualification in Teaching Primary Mathematics with Edge Hill University and am also trained in their intervention programmes, plus in ‘train the trainer’ for the Numicon Intervention Programme.
Working collaboratively with others, I enjoy sharing my expertise and passion developing effective teaching that has a positive impact on children’s achievement and enjoyment of mathematics.
Martyn Ellis
School The King Alfred School Academy
Phase supported Secondary
Subject specialism History
Biography
I graduated from the University of Hull in 1995 with a degree in History. I did my PGCE at Bath University and then secured my first post at The King Alfred School Academy where I have remained. During my time at TKASA I have had a variety of posts including responsibilities for Citizenship, PSHCE and Assistant Headteacher focusing on Coaching and trainee teachers. However, my longest serving role has been as Head of History and RS, teaching History from KS3 to A Level. My aim has always been to get children to enjoy history whatever their ability and to see them make substantial progress in their understanding of past societies.
During my career I have worked hard to encourage enquiry learning across all key stages in History education. I have worked for all the major exam boards as a marker and team leader for OCR and AQA GCSE History. I have previously worked on national projects for the former QCA on the exemplification of assessment standards at KS3 and have run workshops at the School History Project Conference, Somerset History Teachers and Somerset Heads of History Conferences. I have written and produced materials for Hodder, including GCSE Dynamic Learning activities and resources and the ‘My Revision Notes’ series for OCR GCSE History.