Meet our People

as Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and chair of governors, I have led both secondary and primary schools out of special measures to achieve Ofsted outstanding and good grades. I am motivated by improving ‘cultures’ and providing ‘opportunities’ for all children to succeed, not just boosting examination outcomes.

I am proud to have been designated a National Leader of Education, as well as a trained and active lead Ofsted inspector at primary and secondary level, and enjoy working with others. As a level 7 executive coach and mentor with the Institute of Leadership and Management, I work closely with all who seek to make things better for children and staff in schools. I am a trustee of School Leadership Services, which offers support and challenge to heads and leaders across the south west.

Education is a force for change; I am passionate about the power of education for all and have many years’ experience as a governor and trustee.

Teachers and leaders should work together across educational settings for the good of all children; only by leading with humility will we truly help the children and young people we serve.

BA Hons English and American Literature, PGCE, PGDip, MA, NPQH, ILM Level 7

working for the accountancy firm Ernst and Whinney (now Ernst & Young), after which I moved into the investment banking sector in London. Over a 15 year period I held a number of senior roles, leading the finance team for Goldman Sachs International, also the finance and back office team for the European, Middle Eastern & African emerging market business for Chase Manhattan and then for the Global emerging market business for ING Barings, before becoming Head of Strategic Change for Business Finance at Credit Suisse First Boston.

Then followed ten years of running my own business as a business consultant and project manager, during which time I mainly worked in the international real estate sector, mainly in the Caribbean, India and Europe, supporting clients with the development of business plans and financial models, representing them to investors and international lenders to secure equity and debt financing for their developments. I also oversaw development projects on behalf of clients, managing construction, marketing & sales, and financial management.

My somewhat eclectic career before joining education has provided the perfect context to draw upon in this role, in which I have responsibility for ESW Shared Services, encompassing Finance, IT Services, Facilities & Compliance, Data, Procurement, Marketing & Admissions, Catering & Leisure Services, and Administration. The challenges are relentless but the satisfaction of knowing that the energy one commits to the role directly benefits the lives of the children in our care, is limitless and the reason that the years since I joined the education sector in 2010 have been and continue to be the most rewarding years of my career.

senior positions for 11 years as Headteacher and Executive Headteacher leading schools to outstanding. As a National Leader of Education, Tracy has supported school leaders in turning around failing schools. Before joining ESW Tracy was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI).

Tracy trained and mentored new HMI and Ofsted Inspectors in the South West region. Tracy led inspections, carried out reviews on the effectiveness of Multi-Academy Trusts and worked on policy development for Ofsted. Tracy is married with one daughter and lives on the outskirts of Newton Abbot.

this time as the Head or Executive Head within a diverse range of schools. As a school leader, I have worked successfully to ensure that all of my settings have improved the educational offer experienced by our pupils.

I am absolutely passionate about professionals working together to provide the very best life chances for our children. To this end, I have led school improvement groups at both a local and national level. I have been involved in the strategic development of national networks of schools and have facilitated development programmes for both middle and senior leaders.

Having been trained as a lead inspector, I am actively involved in inspecting for Ofsted. I have also worked with the local authority to assess and support the development of high-quality teaching and learning in schools that are facing significant issues.

Great education provides an opportunity for all children to thrive, grow and succeed. I am excited to be working within a trust where this is front and centre of all that we do.

BA Hons (Education and Mathematics), QTS, MEd (School Leadership), NPQH.

medium and large schools across Devon. In addition to my work as a Headteacher, I have also worked as a part time regional consultant with the National College for School Leadership. More locally, I have also worked as an Associate Headteacher with the local authority and I am currently a Consultant Headteacher with the School Leadership Support Service.

B.Ed (Hons) 2.1

career in London in 1997 as a science teacher at Hampstead school in the Borough of Camden, following my teacher training at King’s College London. Four and a half years later I moved to Acland Burghley School, Camden, as Head of Science.

In 2009 my family and I moved back to Devon where I worked for three years as an Assistant Headteacher at Eggbuckland Community College in Plymouth. In 2012 I moved to Coombeshead Academy and worked there for five years as Deputy Headteacher. During this time I completed a Masters in Education with a focus on Professional Development and School Leadership. In 2017 I was appointed as Headteacher of Teign School, and completed my NPQH shortly afterwards.

I am passionate about the power of education in providing young people with the knowledge and understanding they need to navigate through a complex and rapidly changing society. Engaging with children to spark their curiosity, to develop their love of learning and to enthuse them about finding out about their world is central to my educational philosophy.

BSc Biology, 1st Class Honours, MA, Professional Development and Leadership in Education, NPQH

the University of Sheffield. I entered teaching straight after graduating, completing a PGCE at the University of Leicester where I later studied for an MA in Education. I spent the first 23 years of my career working in schools in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire. The early part of my career was spent as a teacher of History and Curriculum Team Leader for Humanities.

It was during this phase that I established a strong interest in research-based teaching and learning using the science behind how the brain absorbs information to inform classroom practice. I have been in Senior Leadership since 2004 working on school improvement project work focused on raising outcomes for young people. Coombeshead Academy is my second headship following 8 successful years running a Leicestershire 14-19 school and then forming a small MAT of 2 schools and eventually merging them into a large ‘outstanding’ 11-19 school.

In recent years I have been heavily involved in a teaching school where I helped lead a successful programme of NPQs including developing and teaching on the NPQH. Since 2017 I have been designated as a National Leader of Education working on school improvement projects across a range of schools.

BA Hons History and Politics, PGCE, MA in Professional Studies in Education, NPQH

for over 20 years in many roles and settings I have held senior positions such as Deputy Headteacher, Head Teacher and Executive Headteacher. I joined the trust in 2016 and whilst leading schools in ESW I have worked on school improvement and curriculum development.

BA (Hons) Education

MA Education Leadership

I have worked in education for 13 years, 8 years within senior leadership positions.

I have taught across the Primary age range within a variety of school settings; from small rural schools to larger city schools of nearly 660 children, and have held many senior roles and responsibilities for whole school improvement at all levels. I have a real passion for learning and believe every child should be given the opportunities and support required to be successful in developing themselves as life-long learners.

as an NQT school working in Early Years and KS1. In 2011 I was given the opportunity to be the lead teacher, setting up of a Teacher Led Foundation Stage Unit, for all children aged 2 – 5 years old. This was my first step into leadership, managing seven members of staff and developing their strengths and skills. My passion for Early Years has allowed me to play an integral part in driving the Early Years curriculum forward to ensure all our children receive the best quality of education. This is tailored made to meet their needs, expand their opportunities and celebrate their individuality. In 2021 I moved from Stoke Fleming and became Early Years Lead for the Trust, working across three of our primary school sites to establish Foundation Stage Units, as well as leading the development of Early Years across all seven primary schools,  delivering CPD to staff and webinars to other professionals working within Devon.

I was appointed as permanent Headteacher at Christow Primary School in September 2022 and am excited to continue my leadership journey and continue to drive improvements in a wonderful school.

NPQH, NPQSL, BA(Hons)Education Studies.

degree and PGCE at the University of Portsmouth. I then started my career in education in 1995 as a Science teacher, quickly moving on to become a Head of Science and then an Assistant Headteacher.

I continued in Senior Leadership roles, including being Headteacher of two separate secondary schools in South Wales.

BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology, PGCE Secondary Science, NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship

range of roles including Head of Geography and Head of Year. I have worked as a Specialist Leader in Education specialising in Geography and supported many schools in the Devon area, as well as running a successful subject leader network. I gained my first senior leadership role in 2015 at Hele’s School, Plymouth where I led on Whole School Assessment and Reporting. My current role at Coombeshead Academy as Deputy Headteacher is focused on the quality of education across the school.

BSc – Geography – University of Birmingham, PGCE – Geography – University of Exeter
NPQSL, SLE Geography

I have had a range of roles since starting as a PE teacher. These roles have included; Head of House, Head of Department, Director of Sport for the Trust, Director of Attainment and now in my current position as Raising Standards Leader.

Batchelor of Education Secondary

second year, then a Curriculum Team Leader (English) and literacy Co-ordinator before being appointed as an Assistant Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy. I have been in the senior leadership team for 15 years and have had several roles; my current responsibility is the strategic leadership and management of SEND, and I also oversee the Aspiring High Programme for high-ability students, and line manage History, Business Studies and ICT.

I have been seconded to support other ESW schools: as Head at Christow Primary School; supporting SEND at Teign School and Dartmouth Academy; and was also seconded to the UTC to support SEND. As a trained peer assessor for SEND, I have peer reviewed other secondary and primary schools.

I have delivered CPD for English teachers in Devon, writing a spelling book for teachers which was sold nationally; delivered CPD for the Specialist Schools Academy Trust (SSAT); and been involved in the training of new SENDCOs.

BA Hons (English), PGCE (English), TEFLA; NASENCO

the University of Leeds where I studied French and Russian. I spent 3 years living and working in France, teaching English at secondary school and university level. As part of my university degree I was also lucky enough to spend 6 months living and studying in St Petersburg, Russia which was an amazing experience.

BA Modern Languages (French/Russian) – University of Leeds, PGCE – Modern Languages – Cardiff Metropolitan University

I completed a PGCE at Bath and then returned to the South West for my first teaching role. I have worked at Dartmouth Academy for eleven years, during which time I have worked with many inspiring young people across our all-through cohort. A highlight of my time at Dartmouth was taking eleven youngsters on a month-long expedition to Borneo, where they supported locals to develop their village communities. I have been Associate Principal overseeing Curriculum, Teaching & Learning and Assessment at Dartmouth since 2021.

BA Mathematics, PGCE

for sport led me onto a Sports and Exercise Science degree at Exeter University where I proudly achieved a First. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher after being inspired by my primary school PE teacher, I followed this dream and completed a PGCE at Exeter before teaching PE at Writhlington School in Bath for three years.

I have now been at Dartmouth Academy for four years and thrive on the opportunities and challenges I have been given as Head of PE and an Associate Principal focusing on the behaviour and attitudes of our brilliant pupils. My ambition is to support all of our pupils to be resilient, tenacious learners who are proud of their successes and achievements.

NPQSL, Physical Education Secondary Post Graduate Certificate in Education – Distinction, BSc (Hons) Exercise and Sport Sciences – Class 1 Degree Classification with Commendation

to Brighton to complete my PGCE. In order to remain in the classroom I became an Advanced Skills Teacher modelling and sharing excellent practice. I worked with Keynote Educational for a number of years sharing my exceptional practice nationally and have been published on boy’s achievement. In my role as a teacher I find joy in affecting the future by influencing students’ views and understanding of the world around them.

BA (Hons) Fine Art PGCE AST

pupils were able to build a strong education and I decided to retrain to teach primary. I joined Dartmouth Academy in 2018 and thoroughly enjoy working in a wonderful all-through school in a beautiful part of the world.

I have always felt education should be inclusive and I strive to support pupils to achieve their own personal best despite additional challenges they may face. As SENDCo, I have the privilege of being able to support both pupils and staff to ensure inclusivity and accessibility to a child’s education on which they build their future.

BA Hons, Post-16 PGCE inc. DTLLS, Primary PGCE, NASENDCo

I am passionate about developing the practice of Early Career Teachers and curriculum design.  I believe that all pupils have a right to excellent teaching and aspirational educational experiences.

I have had the privilege of teaching across the primary range in both London and Devon schools.  I am committed to working with and learning from other education settings in our multi-academy trust to improve the lives of the children we serve.

BA

Grad. BEd

NPQSL

geography and Director of Sixth Form at Kingsbridge Community College and then became Head of School at Dartmouth, leading it out of special measures.

I am now Principal at Kingsbridge Community College and Executive Principal at Dartmouth Academy. I understand the importance of working closely with a school’s community in order to support all students to be their ‘best selves’.

BSc Development Studies, PGCE

and before that a Science teacher at a school in Wandsworth, London since joining the profession in 2005. In the last 5 years, I have been Assistant Principal and then Deputy Principal at Kingsbridge; fulfilling the role of Curriculum and Assessment Leader. I believe passionately in equity of education for all students regardless of starting points or previous disadvantage and in developing the most enjoyable, rigorous and exciting curriculum for all.

BSc (Hons) Chemistry, PGCE Science (Chemistry), MA Science Education

audience who can be the harshest critics! Since 2002, I have taught English in Bristol, Swindon and as Director of English at Ivybridge Community College. My leadership roles have included pastoral responsibility as well as outreach and cross-phase development and I believe passionately in the power of education to enable and inspire all.

In my current role as Director of Sixth Form, and Careers Lead, I am able to bring this to bear, supporting Kingsbridge students to be the best versions of themselves as they embark upon the next stage of their lives.

BA Hons English Literature and Theatre Studies, Post Graduate Certificate in Education

Sport and Human Movement Studies. I then completed a PGCE in Secondary PE, prior to moving to Devon, where I was appointed to my first teaching post at a Grammar School as a PE/Dance teacher. I worked there for 6 years, and was fortunate enough to be offered secondment where I travelled around the world for a year. Not long after my return, I was appointed as Deputy Team Leader i/c of Girls’ PE, and Dance at a large secondary School in Teignbridge where I was promoted to Assistant Principal SENDCO at thirty years old, and then Vice Principal Inclusion two years later. I joined ESW in November 2020 and have been fortunate enough to work across three ESW schools in the role as Behaviour Lead.

taught all age ranges and am a qualified Special Needs Coordinator. I teach the History module of the Devon SCITT teacher training course and have taught Humanities skills to trainee BEd students at Plymouth University.

I arrived at East Allington in 2016 and have been fortunate to work with a great team and community. The school is a special place with a strong emphasis on learning outdoors and a strong ethos of caring for each other.

BA (Hons) Humanities, PGCE, SENDCo

and Trust that places ALL children at its core. I am passionate about developing all staff so that we in turn can give our pupils the knowledge and skills which will set them up ready for their lifelong ambitions.

I have enjoyed varied teaching opportunities over all primary age ranges and many leadership roles in primary education for over 25 years. This has led me to becoming actively involved in supporting other leaders in education.

I have a heightened interest in education in the early years and believe that early intervention is vital. This has previously led to an opportunity to moderate settings at county level and running a successful EYFS network across 15 schools. I am highly driven in my commitment to continued whole-school improvement as well as having achieving successful OFSTED outcomes in both my headships.

Having joined ESW and their leadership team I value the opportunities for my own leadership development and those to support others in an executive role.

BAEd(Hons), NPQML, NPQSL

Science and Games from Bristol University, followed by a Master degree in Education.

Claire’s teaching career began in Bristol, where she achieved Advanced Skills status and worked in three schools in a range of curriculum and pastoral roles.

When Claire moved back to Devon, she initially worked for Plymouth City Council as the Science Advisor for both primary and secondary phases. Claire then returned to a Plymouth secondary school as the Head of Science and then Assistant Headteacher. Following her interest in Science and STEM, Claire was appointed to the senior leadership team within the South Devon UTC where she is now Head of College.

following the completion of a BSc (Hons) in Fisheries Management and a 3 year office job working in an accounts department.  I decided on a career change at this point and found that education was the direction I wanted to move in.

Having taught for 9 years in Hounslow, I progressed to a head of department in High Wycombe delivering the GCSE alongside BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 in Engineering.  This quickly became a passion of mine and since moving down to South Devon in 2018 has been the core focus of my teaching.  I continue to build my interest in the world of engineering making strong connections with local and national engineering employers.

BSc (Hons) Fisheries management and aquaculture, PGCE Design Technology

15 years working as a secretary for a large estate agency.  Having had two children and moved to Devon some years later, my life took a new direction when I gained a position at Coombeshead Academy as a Teaching Assistant.  After being given the opportunity to complete a Foundation Degree for Teaching Assistants, I discovered a love of learning that had not been there when I was at school, and a passion for supporting students who found school days challenging.  Through a specialist course that provided an alternative curriculum for disengaged students, I began to take on more responsibility in planning and delivering lessons which ignited a desire to become a qualified teacher.  It was a difficult road as I had left school without A-Level qualifications, but eventually I gained a Degree in Education & Training and was then able to complete QTLS at Exeter College and become a qualified teacher.  Throughout this time I was tasked with running a BTEC qualification in Children’s Play, Learning & Development for Key Stage 4, which has been running successfully now for around 12 years.  Three years ago, Coombeshead Academy introduced a BTEC in Health & Social Care for post-16 learners which I also became responsible for.  When South Devon UTC joined ESW I was asked to design the curriculum for health and am now the Head of Health Faculty at South Devon UTC, as well as continuing my teaching of CPLD at Coombeshead Academy.  I feel very strongly that courses that are directly linked to the world of work should be available to all students and put the success of these courses down to the fact that students find them engaging as they can understand why they are learning what they are learning and also that they are accessible to students of differing abilities.

BA (Hons) Education & Training

QTLS

Computing and Business teacher I have taken up various roles within the school including primary liaison, part of the Safeguarding team with responsibility for E-Safety and Head of Department for Business and Computing, the latter two are positions I still hold.  Most recently I was appointed Head of Faculty for the UTC Digital Pathway and have had the exciting opportunity to develop a digital curriculum.  This aims to prepare students for the digital world which they are encompassed by and enables them to become confident digital citizens equipped with the skills and knowledge to fully embrace a future of ever-changing technology.

It is my ambition to provide high-quality computing education which equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

First Class, BA Combined Hons Public Relations and Marketing

GTP, Computing (QTS)

leader of Teaching and Learning, English Leader, having a passion in children’s literature, and I am currently a Phase 3 Leader. Extending my leadership skills I am currently Stoke Fleming’s Head of Maths and I am developing the delivery and leadership of maths mastery, my new passion!

I have been working at Stoke Fleming since 2009, after returning from living in France. I have three children, all of whom are attending, or have attended, Kingsbridge Community College.

B.Ed Degree – First Class Honours, Post Graduate Degree in Children’s Literature, Qualified Reading Recovery Teacher.

however to further develop my skills, I have spent a year teaching secondary English at Dartmouth Academy. I initially completed ESW’s Aspiring Leaders Programme and followed this with the NPQML, undertaking a research-based change project within the setting and role as English leader at Stoke Fleming.

My passion for English stems from my own school years and continues to develop through igniting the same passion within my students. I thoroughly enjoy my roles as a Staff Governor and Initial Teacher Training Coordinator, mentoring trainee teachers as they begin their journey in education.

BSc Hons Criminology, PGCE, QTS, ESW Aspiring Leaders Programme, NPQML

Leeds Trinity University before obtaining my PGCE from the University of Exeter.

I have been teaching ever since and during this time I have been fortunate to experience a variety of different roles both curriculum and pastoral. I was appointed to the Senior Leadership Team at Teign School in 2017 with my primary focus being to implement and embed a new behaviour for learning system. Alongside this I have also worked on Transition, Admissions, Student Wellbeing and Development and overseeing pastoral and tutorial programmes among other areas. I then went on to be Deputy Headteacher at King Edward VI Community College whilst undertaking the South West 100 Leadership Programme before being appointed as Head of School at Teign School.

BA (Hons)
PGCE
NPQSL

I had a number of roles including Head of Department, Head of Year, Key Stage 4 Coordinator and Teacher Governor. From Ashlyns, I moved to Beaumont School in St Albans as Assistant Headteacher leading on ICT development as well as Pastoral and Safeguarding roles.

My family and I moved back to the South West in 2015 when I was appointed as Deputy Headteacher at Teign School. I am currently leading the Pastoral team and Safeguarding among other roles.

BA (Hons) Business Education and ICT with QTS

real estate developer before realising I wanted to be a teacher. My PGCE was a hands-on, school-based course in west London, first at an all-girls school, then at an all boys’ school. I started my teaching career as an English teacher in an independent school in Nottinghamshire. After three years, I became Head of Theatre Studies at King’s College, Taunton, directing and producing dozens of plays before taking on the role of a boarding housemaster, with 72 boys under my roof.

My next move was to be Head of English at Gordonstoun, Prince Charles’ famous school in Scotland. But I soon returned to the southwest where I grew up and applied for a post as a Director of Learning at Dartmouth Academy, gaining promotion to Deputy Principal five years later. In 2018, I moved to Teign to lead Teaching and Learning.

I have led school football tours to Barcelona, Valencia and Milan, residential theatre trips to London and Scarborough, skiing trips to France and Andorra, cultural trips to Paris and Stratford and been on expeditions in the Cairngorms, the Lakes and Exmoor, and I want all pupils to remember school as the most valuable, precious experience to help them build a valuable, precious future for themselves, their families and their communities.

BA (Hons) English, PGCE (English and Drama), NPQSL

Roles in the UK and Australia. Before joining Teign, I was Assistant Principal: Safeguarding, SEND, Disadvantaged and Personal Development at Kingsbridge Community College for two and a half years.

Before this, I spent 9 years in two outstanding London state schools where the last 5 years were spent in Assistant Head roles firstly in charge of Curriculum and Assessment then Director of a 340 pupil sixth form. I came into education to support every child flourish into interesting and interested young adults irrespective of background or disadvantage.

BA(Hons) Business Studies
PGCE Business and Economics Education
NPQSL
NPQH

a teacher of Mathematics. Since then, I have worked in a number of subject leadership roles in mathematics and science before joining ESW as Director of Mathematics in 2019.

I currently work as:
ESW Director of Mathematics
ESW Director of Curriculum Quality and Innovation
Assistant Headteacher for Teign School

Physics BSc
QTS

then completed my PGCE in Physical Education. I was Head of Physical Education at a school in Derbyshire and have since returned to the area, leading on senior leader roles in two Devon secondary schools. These have included SENCo, safeguarding, attendance, pupil premium and behaviour & attitudes.

Finance Programme at Debenhams Retail PLC later that year. As a Management Accountant at Debenhams my focus was as a Business Partner, directly linking financial management with the commercial side of the business, specialising in the Logistics, Food Services and Store Card business units.

I transferred my commercial financial experience to Channel 4, joining the company in 2013. There I acted as Finance Business Partner to the Head of Production, Controller of Broadcasting and the Marketing division. In 2015 I completed my professional training, becoming a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

In 2018 I relocated from Sussex to join Education South West where I lead a consolidated Finance & Payroll team supporting all the schools in the Trust. Working in education has given me the opportunity to enjoy a very varied role, with the reward of knowing that what I am doing directly contributes to the community in which I work.

commercial sector at Interactive Transaction Solutions a company specialising in the financial services sector. As the Network Services Team Leader I supported the software and hardware infrastructure systems underpinning the processing of transactions made by, for example American Express, for numerous banks across Europe.

I joined the education sector in 2012 and lead a centralised shared services team of technicians and engineers which supports all of the schools in the Trust. I thrive on the diversity of the services we provide, and the wide spectrum of staff and students who we support. No day is the same.

The reason I continue to work in education is because of the satisfaction that at the end of the day, you have been able to provide the tools and resources that a student needs to be able to progress in life. Somebody did the same for me and it’s a privilege to be able to do the same for others.

variety of roles, at various stages being an IT Technician, Attendance Officer, Exams Officer and Data Manager, and at times all of them at the same time leading the combined functions for an academy. This breadth of background has been an enormous advantage as I decided to pursue data management as an area of specialism.

I lead the formation of one of the first centralised data teams in the world of multi-academy trusts, leading the Data team for Education South West, supporting all the schools in the Trust.

I have stayed in the education sector because the work we do on a daily basis is makes a difference to the experience pupils have within our schools, giving them the best opportunity to succeed. The ever-changing data requirements within schools keeps the role fresh – new performance measures are being released by the DfE all the time! Along with the challenge of driving continuous improvement to extend the application of data to support the quality of education of all of the children in the Trust, the personal satisfaction from what we are doing is high.

More information to follow…

retail and events business specialising in golf, with customers spanning multinational businesses, nobility and celebrities. The result is a diverse skill-set and experience base, covering business operations, marketing, sales and events; I am very much a “people’s person”. All of this experience has been invaluable given the broad spectrum of responsibilities, I now lead a team covering marketing and admissions.

Working in the education sector and seeing how what we do directly impacts the students in the Trust is incredibly rewarding. Education South West is forward thinking and the environment I work in is stimulating and challenging. Anything is possible.