Hello
I am a retired headteacher with 34 years in education, 15 of those in headship. I taught all age groups and was a SENDCO for most of my career. My first headship was in Ribbleton in Preston where an OFSTED in my first week of headship meant that I was leading a school in a well deserved unsatisfactory category. Mission accomplished my second headship was in Penwortham in Preston.
I loved both contrasting roles and worked with some amazing people. Success comes from building talented, happy staff who share your vision for a thriving, successful school.
I led on leadership programmes for aspiring deputies and middle leaders at our local teaching school. I loved working with these talented teachers who taught me as much as I was able to teach them
I played a key role in our local cluster (WRIST) in coordinating a professional development programme for all staff in the cluster and later as Chair. I believe very strongly in collaboration and know the power of the support and help that headteachers can provide for their headteacher colleagues. The support that headteachers can give each other is vital.
Since 2018 I worked with the school improvement team in Liverpool Archdiocese to support headteachers and governors with wellbeing.
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My Story
I thoroughly enjoyed my career although, at times, I struggled to cope with my workload and the pressures. I worked far too many hours and at one point really let a particular struggle affect my mental health and my family life. As a headteacher, I faced many challenges including leading a school out of an unsatisfactory category and the extremely sad death of a pupil. Despite my wobbles I found a way through so that I was able to enjoy my role and lead my school with joy and confidence. As a result of surviving a six year vexatious complainant I was asked by the local authority to write a course for governors on Staff and Headteacher Wellbeing. That course is called Strive and Thrive and is still available through Lancashire Governor Services.
I have a passion for creating cultures of wellbeing in schools as do many headteachers and I offer support to ensure we are doing all we can to help staff enjoy their important role. However, I have found that as headteachers, we put ourselves at the bottom of our priorities. The reality is we have a severe recruitment crisis for headteachers and many are leaving the post through ill health and/or disenchantment. I was determined that when I retired I would provide affordable support for headteachers to help them find a good work-life balance and have realistic expectations of what they can achieve and still thrive.
I provide various support packages for individual schools for headteachers, senior leadership teams, whole staff teams and governors.
I also provide away day wellbeing conferences with my talented colleague, Claire Mcnulty, a wellbeing coach and experienced teacher.
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Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
07976 889837