Kelly has over 20 years of experience working in primary education, teaching pupils aged 2 to 11 in contrasting contexts and leading English. Kelly served as Headteacher in North Yorkshire for 14 years before transitioning to consultancy. Currently employed by the University of York in Primary Initial Teacher Education.

As an Evidence Lead for the North Yorkshire Coast Research School , Kelly specialised in the evidence base of school leadership, with a particular focus on headteacher wellbeing and the impact of networking and collaboration. Kelly is passionate about using evidence to inform best practice and advocates for its use to mitigate the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on educational attainment.

Throughout Kelly’s career she focused on primary literacy and in terms of the curriculum has a particular interest in teacher pedagogical content knowledge, early reading, and writing.