Following a short and uninspiring career with the civil service, I retrained as a teacher when my daughter was still
very young (she’s 26 now) and have been working in education ever since.

I started working as an English teacher in a large secondary school in Newcastle and spent a very happy 11 years
there, working as part of a senior leadership team which saw the school move to a brand new build, heralding an era
of change for the school. After 6 years as Assistant Headteacher and with a secure ‘Good’ from Ofsted, I was ready
for a new challenge and took on a role in the Trust as a Deputy Headteacher in a Primary school.

I am now Co-Headteacher at Grace Darling C of E Primary School in Newbiggin by the Sea. My experience and
working knowledge of both the primary and secondary sectors gives me a useful insight into how both phases should
work together to deliver an outstanding all-through