About me
As a Head of Department, my focus was on using research to inform innovative approaches to teaching and learning. I developed this work across the whole school as an Assistant Head at an outstanding, leading edge comprehensive school in Essex. I introduced and coordinated a whole school approach to independent learning skills through the L2 project, whose impact was noted in the subsequent outstanding Ofsted report. I was also responsible for the school’s transition project, working with a Cambridge researcher on the impact of shared teaching and assessment methodology on student progress, Year 6-7. As a result I have trained colleagues through educational videos, small group training sessions and keynote conference addresses including one led by Howard Gardner.
As I moved to Deputy Headship at an independent boarding school, my focus shifted from coordinating teaching and learning to coaching others to deliver to a high standard. I was trained as a Coach for NCSL’s Leading from the Middle programme. The school became the only independent school in a large network of schools, led by Cambridge University, collaborating on small research projects to improve the quality of teaching and learning. I coached a number of colleagues through their projects, ensuring an evidence-based approach to the impact of strategy on pupils. This approach, guided by rigorous self-evaluation, again achieved outstanding inspection outcomes.
“I have been in education for 25 years. It is not unusual for a teacher to express the desire to see each individual grow and realise their potential. For me this has meant ensuring that values, teaching and leadership have been focused on this core aim.”
Jeremy Westlake
CEO and Founder
Wanting to challenge myself, I moved to an Academy in one of the most deprived London boroughs. The key here was to ensure a consistent approach from Middle leaders, who were described by Ofsted as playing ‘an effective role in driving further improvements’, owing partly to the provision of ‘personalised development programmes to improve their leadership skills’.
Having worked towards the improvement of a subject area, then across the whole school, I would now like to share my experience, knowledge and skills with others with a continued focus on effective learning ethos and strategy to transform lives.