Meet the Senior Leadership Team

I am very proud to be Interim Head of School at Avonbourne Academies and to be part of the United Learning family. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Geography, a PGCE, an NPQSL and an NPQH. I have worked at Avonbourne Girls' school since 2010 in several different roles, including Head of Department and Assistant Headteacher. Prior to this, I worked as a Head of Department and Deputy Head of House at a school in Greater London for 7 years. 

Seeing Avonbourne Academies develop since 2020 and playing my part in the Academy improvement journey has been, without question, the highlight of my career and gives cause for huge excitement and optimism about where we can go as a community.

 I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible throughout the year.

I am very pleased to have joined Avonbourne Academies in September 2020. I have worked for United Learning since 2013 and thoroughly enjoy working for such an established Academy trust who focusses on the ‘Best in Everyone’ by providing excellent education for all their young people. 

I achieved a Bachelor of Education with Honours in Physical Education in 2001 and feel privileged to be able to call myself a teacher. I have held several roles during my career but have spent a number of years as Head of Year, developing a passion for Pastoral care within schools, and the importance it plays in supporting students to be successful, confident learners within their environment. I have also completed an NPQSL.

Prior to joining Avonbourne Academies I worked at Glenmoor and Winton Academies in Bournemouth for 19 Years and am very proud to be able to say I played a part in creating two highly successful schools in Bournemouth. 

I am driven to replicating the successes I have previously enjoyed, at Avonbourne Academies, creating a school where students experience the very best education and experiences both in the classroom and beyond. 

I am a Vice Principal with responsibility for Personal Development. I relocated from Yorkshire to work at Avonbourne Academies and I am delighted I chose to do so. Avonbourne is on an incredible journey and I am excited to be a part of it. 

I have a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Wales, Bangor and completed a PGCE in Secondary Science in 2007 at Sheffield Hallam University. I began working for the United Learning trust in September 2020, I have previously held leadership positions in other successful multi academy trust in Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire. 

I believe that every student should have the opportunity to achieve academic and personal excellence in an inspiring, engaging and dynamic learning environment. I am passionate about, and work hard to ensure our students at Avonbourne are equipped to reach their full potential. 

I am very pleased to have been appointed as Vice Principal and Director of the United Sixth Form at Avonbourne Academies from September this year.  I am excited to play a part in the continuous improvement journey of the academies and in particular, of United Sixth Form.   

I hold a BSC (Ed) in mathematics and education as well as an NPQSL and an NPQH.  I have been teaching mathematics for over thirty years in various schools around Dorset.  I joined the United Learning family in 2014 when I was appointed as a member of the senior leadership team at Glenmoor and Winton Academies. Last year, I was the headteacher of a local secondary school in Poole.    

I am passionate about teaching and have dedicated my life to improving the lives of young people.  I am also passionate about supporting staff to become great teachers and great leaders.  I have been delivering the National Professional Qualifications for the last eight years to staff across the trust.  I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to contribute to the outstanding provision at Avonbourne Academies. 

Since moving to the area over a decade ago, I have been extremely proud to work within this educational context and serve our local community. I have always had a passion for teaching and coaching and at the heart of this, lies a desire to help young people develop and achieve great things. 

I hold a BA (Hons) in Physical Education (QTS Sec), and NPQSL, and have enjoyed a variety of roles that range from being a Subject Specialist and Faculty Leader, through to my current role focusing on culture and behaviour within our Senior Leadership Team. 

I believe that high expectations, clear routines, and a shared ethos are at the heart of all successful teams and organisations. I am passionate about ensuring that all students achieve excellent outcomes, but my background in sport has also led me believe that there is more to a good education than simply outstanding exam results. I believe that it is our moral imperative to develop character, compassion and service within our students and provide them with a range of experiences. I want our students to look back on a schooling which has inspired and challenged them, preparing them for the ups and downs of life. 

I am proud to have been working at Avonbourne Academies since September 2021. Being part of this dynamic and dedicated community has been a rewarding experience, and I am passionate about helping our students achieve their full potential. 

I hold a BA (Hons) in English from The University of Nottingham, during which I completed a semester abroad at The University of Connecticut in the USA. I also obtained a PGCE through Teach First and have pursued further qualifications, including an MA in Transformational Leadership, as well as NPQML and NPQSL. 

Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to supporting the professional development of my colleagues and fostering a culture of excellence and equity for all students. At Avonbourne Academies, I have held various roles, including Lead Practitioner and Head of English, Media, and Drama. Currently, as Assistant Principal overseeing Curriculum, Data, Exams and Assessment, I am focused on delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum that brings out the best in everyone, ensuring all students have the opportunities and support needed to succeed academically and thrive personally. 

I am proud to have joined the Avonbourne Academies in 2024 as Assistant Principal. Having already spent 8 years at Glenmoor and Winton, within the United Learning family, I am fully aware of the successful journey the academies have been on. They have continually improved the supervision for the staff, students and community. I am therefore pleased and excited to have the opportunity to work with this fantastic group of colleagues as we continue to develop along this journey.  

I have a BSc (Hons) in Sports Development and Coaching Sciences from Bournemouth University. I have also benefited from experiencing many roles within Glenmoor and Winton senior leadership team ranging from teaching and learning to raising standards. I was also fortunate to play a role in supporting other schools with behaviour whilst being part of the behaviour hub team.  

Within my role as year 11 raising standards lead, I will utilise my previous experiences to ensure that each student has ample opportunity to reach and succeed their potential. In order to facility these opportunities I believe each child deserves disruption free learning. Whilst also being provided the necessary support at key times throughout their education.  

Overall, I have a real passion to open up opportunities for all students regardless of their background and take real pleasure in witnessing their successes come results day. 

I was delighted to join Avonbourne Academics as an Assistant Principal in June 2024 with my main area of responsibility being Senior Attendance Champion.  

I am looking forward to supporting the school on its journey of continued success and am passionate about providing young people with the academic knowledge and personal skills needed to lead happy and successful lives.  

I began teaching in 2011 in West London and throughout my career I have been a Head of Department, Lead Practitioner and Assistant Headteacher. I have completed an NPQSL and last year I led and facilitated a National Professional Qualification (in Leading Teaching), supporting fellow teachers in their first stages of school leadership.  

Avonbourne is a brilliant school and I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the academic year. 

Having grown up in Bournemouth and been educated at a local school, I recognise how important high-quality schools for this community are. I feel privileged to have joined Avonbourne from a local outstanding school in 2020 and am very proud to have contributed on its journey to a position of local and national excellence.

I hold a BA (Hons) and PGCE in History from the University of Southampton and have recently completed my NPQSL through Ambitions Institute. Over the past few years, I have been focusing on raising standards across the history department by developing a curriculum that extends our students’ intellectual and cultural horizons, creating informed and tolerant young adults. In 2022, I launched our Avonbourne Grammar Stream, ensuring that students with high prior attainment excel on their secondary journeys and formed the partnership between Avonbourne and the University of Southampton.

As an Associate Assistant Principal, I am delighted to be driving standards at Key Stage 3. I firmly believe that if all students are challenged, supported and engaged, then every child can achieve well, regardless of their starting point.

I am delighted to hold the post of SENDCo and Assistant Principal at Avonbourne Academies.  I have worked at Avonbourne Academy since 2003 in various roles including Subject Leader, Head of Year, SENDCo and Assistant Principal.  The length of time at the Academy reflects my commitment to the school community. 

I hold a BA (Hons) in Music, LBCA (TD), PGCE, NASENCo and IQ Level 7 PAPAA.  Prior to working at Avonbourne I was the Head of Music in a large London comprehensive school.  Prior to my teaching career I was a successful performer in National Music Competitions and ran a private music tuition service in London.  I have also been an adjudicator at National Music Festivals as well as more locally, the Bournemouth and Southampton Music Festivals.  My work in music supports my commitment to fully enriching the lives of all children, including those who may have additional needs.   

My work with students is based on a fundamental belief that all children can achieve.  Every individual student is capable and entitled to reach their full potential with the support and challenge of both home and school.  Every child is entitled to the same high-quality education and should look forward to an aspirational future.   

I am thrilled to be working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Avonbourne Academies. Having joined Avonbourne 9 years ago, I have been committed to improving the education outcomes of our community and supporting our education with character offer. I am very excited about the future at Avonbourne.

I have a BA (Hons) in Dance and a PGCE from the University of Exeter and have completed my NPQSL through the University of Winchester. As a teacher of dance, I am passionate about providing students with opportunities to explore their interests and develop their talents which help to equip them with the character attributes that will enable them to succeed later in life. I love the buzz of dance rehearsals and productions and teaching a subject which takes students away from their desks and allows them to think critically, be creative and gain confidence.

Through my role in transition, I am fortunate to support and welcome students and parents at the very beginning of their journey at Avonbourne, where we expect the highest standards in our mission to bring out the 'best in everyone'. I aim to assure the local community that Avonbourne is the right choice for your son or daughter as through challenge and the persistence to work hard and be at their best, our young people can achieve the future of their dreams.

I was pleased to join Avonbourne Academies in January 2020, very much at the start of its exciting transformational journey. In my role as Assistant Principal, I oversee Teaching and Learning within the academies, ensuring our staff have access to the research-informed professional development. 

I hold a BA (hons) in English Literature and PGCE in Secondary English from the University of Portsmouth, an NPQ in Senior Leadership from University College London, and an NPQ in Leading Teacher Development from the Ambition Institute. 

As well as fulfilling my love for learning through my continuing studies, I have also written regularly for the Times Educational Supplement and have co-authored a book entitled Succeeding as an English teacher, published through Bloomsbury. Prior to working at the academies, I fulfilled a voluntary role as the Dorset regional advocate for Litdrive, a non-profit organisation providing CPD for English teachers. To date though, my greatest achievement is raising my wonderful daughter. 

I'm hugely excited to continue the journey started by our leadership team at Avonbourne. I believe that the exceptionally high standards of teaching, learning and behaviour contribute to a culture where pupil learning is placed at the forefront and where all students, regardless of background, can achieve the results that they deserve. We are ambitious because we care.

I am delighted to be Assistant Principal with responsibility for Teaching and Learning. I hold a BA (Hons) in History from the University of Exeter, a PGDE through Teach First and an MA in Transformational Leadership.

After working at Avonbourne between 2020 and 2023, I moved to London, where I led a History department at another school within the United Learning trust. I was excited to return to Avonbourne in 2026 and reconnect with a school community that means a great deal to me. Having worked here before, I knew first-hand what a special place it is to work and learn, and I am proud to be part of its continued journey.

In my current role, I work closely with teachers across the school to support the quality of teaching in every classroom. I am passionate about creating classrooms where students think hard, work hard and enjoy learning. Although I thoroughly enjoy supporting staff development, my favourite part of the job is still teaching and working directly with students in the classroom.

I am proud to be part of a school that is continually striving to get even better and provide the very best opportunities for every young person.