I have extensive experience in secondary education and have worked in schools in very different and diverse contexts ranging from inner-city to semi-rural, in 5 different Local Authorities. During a long career, lasting for almost 40 years, I gained in-depth knowledge and experience of all aspects of teaching and of school leadership.

I have extensive experience in secondary education and have worked in schools in very different and diverse contexts ranging from inner-city to semi-rural, in 5 different Local Authorities. During a long career, lasting for almost 40 years, I gained in-depth knowledge and experience of all aspects of teaching and of school leadership.

My final substantive post was from January 2006 until August 2016 when I was the Headteacher of Sir Graham Balfour School. It was a fulfilling journey and immensely gratifying to see the school rated highly by OFSTED and valued by the community it serves.  

Since stepping down from my substantive position, I have worked as a freelance Educational Consultant on a range of improvement issues with an array of schools in the primary, middle, high and post-16 school sectors. I have also conducted National Leader of Education reviews and have worked with Teaching Alliances to address specific issues and concerns.

I am fully supportive of the school’s current direction of travel and believe that conversion to the Insight MAT is in the best interests of all stakeholders. Current school and MAT leaders have a clear understanding of the national educational context and a real empathy with the needs and aspirations of the local community.

I am pleased to continue as a Trustee of the MAT and will endeavour to use my knowledge and experience to ensure the school’s ongoing journey will lead to further successful outcomes.

My main hobbies and interests centre around my twin obsessions of history and sport. I research and write commissioned family histories and give lectures on European history to a range of bodies and associations. I am also a season ticket holder at both Warrington Wolves and at Blackburn Rovers – which proves I am a long suffering optimist!