About

I took my first degree in Modern History at University College, Oxford.  I then studied for a PGCE in History and Humanities at the University of Sheffield before taking up a first post in teaching in Sheffield in 1986. 

From 1986 I taught full-time in schools in Sheffield and in Rotherham for nineteen years.  During this time I held the position of Head of History in two 11-18 comprehensives, managing a large subject team, teaching and leading the development of the History curriculum in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.  I also taught more broadly across the Humanities curriculum including Geography and RE, as well as elements of both PSHE and Citizenship curricula.  

During my time in schools I was closely involved in ITT partnerships, initially as subject mentor for History, but latterly as Early Professional Development Co-ordinator, with whole school responsibility for ITT partnerships and also for NQT induction.

I left teaching in 2005 for a consultancy position in the School Effectiveness Service of Rotherham Local Authority, which remains my substantive post today.  My role in supporting schools is wide-ranging, but key responsibilities include NQT induction, governor development, and performance management systems in schools.  I am also vice-chair of governors in a local primary school.

Since 2010 I have been seconded to work part-time on ITT Sheffield Hallam University’s ITT programmes, initially as subject tutor and part of the management team for the Graduate Teacher Programme where I took the lead in organising the core secondary training programme.  In 2013 I joined the secondary PGCE programme team as PGCE History tutor for both Core and School Direct trainees.

Teaching

Department of Teacher Education

College of Social Sciences and Arts

I remain passionate about the teaching of History and interested in any changes affecting  its curriculum, pedagogy or classroom practice.  Through my wider professional role I remain well informed about broader developments in the school system at national and local level.

Research

• Art and Design Research Centre

I hold a Masters degree in Education (M.Ed) from the Open University, where my research focus was on Educational Leadership and Management. 

Other activities

I am a member of the Historical Association and a regular attendee at Northern History Forum and Schools History Project (SHP) conferences.  My wider professional work frequently takes me into schools and involves me in a range of work with teachers, support staff, school leaders and governors at a local, regional and national level – including producing LA guidance documentation and organising and delivering training. 

My substantive post is School Workforce Development Consultant within the Rotherham School Improvement Service (part of Rotherham Local Authority).  I represent the Local Authority on a variety of partnership groups across the region including Sheffield Hallam University’s ITE Strategy Group and the Yorkshire and Humberside Strategic Governance Group.