Lower Halstow, England, United Kingdom
With over 25 years experience in law and education I am passionate about ensuring high quality learning environments are accessible to every child, young person, their families and communities. Whether considering the strategic needs of an organisation or engaging in direct work with individuals I rely upon empathy, experience and evidence based knowledge to create opportunities for change, development and sustainable improvement. I have a demonstrated history of tackling complex and sensitive situations in a proactive and pragmatic manner which prioritises the needs of children, young people and those around them. Skilled in Law, Safeguarding & Child Protection, Education, School Governance, Child Development & Early Years, Leadership, School Improvement including implementation of SEND strategies locally & regionally, Strategic Planning & Oversight, Wellbeing & Mental Health, Trauma Informed Practice, Neurodiversity, ADHD and Autism.
Providing leadership to the governing board and ensuring it fulfills its governance functions. Leading governance priorities include creating shared purpose with Headteacher, developing & setting clear vision and strategy for the school and leading the board in monitoring the implementation of the school strategy. Leading and growing the governance team within the context of building a strong & effective whole school team who share a clear sense of purpose to improve the experiences & education of every pupil as the central priority for every aspect of school improvement.
Special interest in safeguarding & child protection, student and staff wellbeing, SEND and vulnerable groups. Stand alone academy school in rural Gloucestershire.
Supporting families and volunteers through Home-Start's unique, compassionate and community driven programmes including home visiting support services and perinatal support groups. Multi agency engagement with clear early intervention focus and outcomes based accountability to stakeholders and funders. Ensuring high standard of training, service delivery & signposting alongside ongoing professional supervision to volunteers; engagement, assessment and reviews with families and partnership working with referrers and other professionals.
Department for Education Qualified Early Years Teacher with high quality experience in delivering early years education and care in small group settings. Special interest and experience in supporting children with additional needs including ADHD and ASD. Member of local authority's Early Years Forum (reporting to Schools Forum and GCC Early Years Lead) and founder of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Early Years Network.
Set up, implemented and ran the first College of Law (now University of Law) Pro Bono Programme in Bristol. Highly successful strategy which engaged all students who applied to join the programme and developed strong links with the community which are still in place today. Nominated for an Attorney General's Award for the Family Law Advice Line created and commissioned in conjunction with the Bristol Citizen's Advice Bureau in 2010/11.