EYFS:

In June 2017 the EYFS that I lead at The Divine Mercy RC Primary School (TDM) was rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted.

I have deliberately chosen to specialise in EYFS as this is the area I am most passionate about. I believe that high quality early years can have the most positive long term impact for children. I have taught in nursery, reception & year 1, my Masters dissertation was focused on EYFS SEN, I sit on the Management Advisory Board for the local Surestart cluster and I am an Associate Lecturer in the Manchester Metropolitan University School of Teacher Education and Professional Development faculty.

Prior to teaching I worked in the ICT industry for 20 years, I was a successful business leader who delivered many change programs. I hold a Diploma in Business Direction from The Institute of Directors.

I was Vice Chair of the Governors at my children’s primary school for 10 years and through this developed a wider understanding of school development.

I regularly mentor NQTs, new TAs, students and new leaders.

Through my work with the EYFS Leaders in THOMP (The Heart of Manchester Partnership) schools, participation in EYFS Leaders Network meetings and many EYFS cluster moderations I have seen the significant benefits that occur when EYFS practitioners are supported to share and implement change effectively.

 

ICT:

Prior to becoming a teacher I worked in the ICT industry for 20 years. I progressed from being a programmer, consultant, project manager, account manager to global sales responsibility. This passion for ICT has never left and I have brought it into my teaching career.

When I took over leading ICT at The Divine Mercy RC Primary School we had multiple ICT suppliers, different systems, a failing infrastructure as well as low ICT usage by both staff and children.

Using my ICT experience, I created a strategic 3 year costed plan to transform how we used ICT, the benefits of which now include:

  • Effective supplier rationalisation – significant cost savings and better service.
  • Children and staff have greater skills in key technologies (Google and Apple), we also use Microsoft where it suits the school most.
  • Reliable, cost effective, audio visual solutions established.
  • Widespread use of free productivity tools by staff and children which have also enabled a workload reduction.
  • Demonstrable, positive, pedagogical impact in class.
  • Greater parent/carer engagement in their children’s learning.
  • Proven model to pilot, evaluate and then rollout ICT initiatives.
  • Cost savings – hardware, supplier support contracts, applications used.

We are now an ICT reference site and work closely with various suppliers to help shape their ICT solutions for the future.

 

 

 

The Divine Mercy RC Primary School

In September 2009The Divine Mercy RC Primary School came to life, two single form schools combined into a new twin form school.

I was appointed as the EYFS Leader and part of the SMT. We faced huge challenges: two sets of staff to integrate who had varying skills, levels of resistance to change and concerns. The Divine Mercy RC Primary School
is in Moss Side, in the top quintiles for FSM, EAL (over 40 languages) and School Deprivation Indicator.