Mother, Artist (printmaker) Environmentalist. I am immensely proud to lead Northern Star Academies Trust, a diverse Trust Partnership of nine schools (primary and secondary) and a School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) spanning North and West Yorkshire. Previously, I served as a Secondary Headteacher (Skipton Girls’ High School), the lead for a Cohort 2 Teaching School Alliance and have spent 28 years as a secondary education teacher and leader. </p>

I am the Principal of Harrogate College which is a General Further Education College that provides technical education and training to people across Harrogate and North Yorkshire. In addition, I am a member of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Locality Board and a member of the charity Zero Carbon Harrogate.

I am the Executive Headteacher of three small village schools across North Yorkshire - the Goldsborough Sicklinghall Federation (Goldsborough CE Primary school, close to Knaresborough; Sicklinghall Community Primary School close to Wetherby) and Admiral Long, in Burnt Yates near Ripley. </p>

My experience in education has spanned from Nursery to Adult education: Local Authority Maintained schools, Independent schools, Service Children’s Education, Ministry of Defence Army Education (Royal Engineers) and as part of a highly successful Multi-Academy Trust. My previous roles have included Lead Teacher, Curriculum Development Manager, Head of External Communications, Assistant Headteacher, Acting Headteacher and Principal. </p>

I qualified as a primary school teacher in 2002, from Sunderland University. I worked as a Primary teacher in Grangetown Sunderland in Year R to Y3. In 2009, I decided to set up my own nursery, initially in domestic premises, then in purpose built accommodation, moving to Ripon in 2012, and finally settling in a domestic childminding premises, where I works alongside another childminder and several assistants. I also co ordinate the Childminding Network in the Ripon area.  I am a keen runner, having completed the Virtual London Marathon on April 23.<br />

I am the special school head teacher representative on the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon Locality Board.
I am the head teacher of Springwater School which is situated in Starbeck. The school is a special school with over one hundred pupils on roll. Pupils ages span from nursery through to sixth formers who leave us at the age of nineteen in most cases. I have been head teacher here for eight years.
Prior to headship I have worked in a wide range of local authorities - mostly in senior posts within specialist provisions. This includes Birmingham, Solihull, Wakefield and York! My initial degree sounds a bit old fashioned now but has served me well as it was a specialist teaching degree in severe learning difficulties.
I am passionate about the pupils in the local area receiving a high-quality offer tailored to their specific needs and am excited about the wide range of developments and improvements which are supporting schools and provisions in this locality. Specialist provision is an exciting place to work, but I know that for many children and young people it is essential for them to remain in the local communities and the schools there amongst friends, peers and siblings. The work of the locality board seeks to ensure an offer for all pupils with additional needs as part of a matrix of support. My personal interest is in promoting the development of sufficient targeted mainstream provision within the locality so that more children and young people can access provision which meets their needs situated in their local communities.

I am Headteacher of Boroughbridge High School, which is federated with King James’s School, having worked in three community secondary schools in County Durham, York and North Yorkshire. I believe in inclusion and, having led a school through the pandemic, I have a commitment to identifying how schools need to adapt to ensure that all students, including those that are disadvantaged, engage with education so that they are safe, happy and successful. Throughout my career I have been an active member of The Geographical Association, serving two terms on The Governing Body and I continue to enjoy teaching Geography!

I have over 17 years experience within the Primary school sector with a range of teaching and leadership experiences in a range of settings. I am currently the Executive Headteacher of a Federation of three rural primary schools; 2 of which are Church schools. The schools are unique in the make up with children being taught in mixed age classes.<br />

I am the new Headteacher for New Park Academy Trust in Harrogate. I bring with me my experience as a SENDCo and SEND consultant adviser, including being Lead Teacher for a Targeted Mainstream Provision for Communication & Interaction, as well as my experience of being a class teacher and a parent. I am a strong advocate for ensuring our schools are representative of society with a strong focus on inclusive education and providing opportunities and environments where all of our children can thrive and learn.

I am a passionate teacher and leader who has followed a career path focused on ensuring the best teaching is available for those individuals who need it most. I have led science departments in schools in some of the most deprived areas of Leeds, and I've led my departments to excellence.</p>

I have been in education for 27 years and passionate about making a difference for others.
I have a breadth of knowledge, working in mainstream schools and trusts and have worked effectively with others to challenge and motivate visionary leadership.
Within my executive headteacher role, NLE role and lead of school improvement I have developed opportunities to develop SEND and Inclusion, an area of expertise.
My early years experience has enabled me to open private day nurseries and manage specialist provisions, including speech and language and SEMH.