Describe yourself in three words or phrases.
Curious about the future, optimistic about young people, and quietly determined to make schools better.
What do you like most about your job?
The sense that what we do genuinely matters. Schools are one of the few places where you see growth every day, in students, in colleagues, and often in yourself as well. Watching a young person gain confidence, develop a new perspective, or discover something they care deeply about is incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that education is not just about academic progress, but about shaping people and possibilities over time.
At the same time, there is a constant sense of collaboration within the school community. Staff are always thinking about new and innovative ways to support students and make a meaningful difference in their lives. There is a lot of creative thinking and brainstorming around how we can better prepare young people for the future. Knowing that the work we do today can influence the opportunities and pathways available to our students tomorrow is both motivating and deeply encouraging.
Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.
One of the areas we are currently exploring is how schools can better prepare students for a world that is being rapidly reshaped by technological change. It is a forward-looking piece of work that encourages us to rethink how education can stay relevant in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment.
The idea is not to predict exactly what the future will look like, which is becoming more difficult by the day, but our focus is on developing the qualities that will help young people navigate it with confidence. This means helping students build curiosity, sound judgement and adaptability. We want them to feel confident asking thoughtful questions, engaging critically with new ideas and technologies, and remaining open to learning throughout their lives.
What’s a piece of work you’re proud of — and what did it teach you?
Building strong school cultures where staff feel trusted and students feel truly known is something I’m particularly proud of. Over time, I’ve come to realise that culture shapes the daily experience of a school far more than any individual programme or policy. When teachers feel supported and trusted in their work, and when students feel recognised as individuals, the whole community becomes more positive and purposeful. It reinforced for me that the best schools aren’t built on initiatives; they’re built on relationships, shared values and a collective sense of purpose.
What’s a small daily habit that helps you in your work?
Getting around the school early in the morning. The start of the day is usually the best time to get a sense of the atmosphere and help set the overall mood of the school. A quick conversation with students about what they’re looking forward to, or a brief chat with staff before lessons begin, helps keep everything grounded. It provides a real sense of the atmosphere of the school and reminds me that leadership in education is ultimately about people and the everyday experiences that shape a community.
What’s one change you’d like to see in your sector over the next few years?
I would love to see a change in the broader definition of success for young people to one that values character, creativity and adaptability alongside academic outcomes. Academic results will always matter, but they shouldn’t be the only measure of a young person’s development. Schools also have a responsibility to nurture qualities such as resilience, curiosity, empathy and the ability to collaborate. These are the attributes that will help students navigate an uncertain and fast-changing world with confidence.
What idea, book, podcast or conversation has stayed with you recently?
The idea that in a world where information is everywhere, the real role of education is helping young people learn how to think well, not simply know more. With knowledge now so accessible, the ability to question, interpret and make sense of information has become far more important. It’s a reminder that education should focus not just on what students know, but on how they approach problems, evaluate ideas and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in this field?
Focus on people first. When students feel known and valued, and teachers feel supported and trusted in their work, everything else tends to fall into place. Education can sometimes become caught up in systems and structures, but its real strength lies in relationships. If you build those relationships with care and authenticity, the impact you can have on young people’s lives is extraordinary.
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