: Samantha Rhodes – Programme Manager of Research School

I am proud to be the Programme Manager for Exchange Research School. I am passionate about improving the lives of the children in our community and believe that engaging with high-quality evidence is the way to do this. Having spent the entirety of my teaching career within the Don Valley pyramid, I have developed a sense of belonging to the community and a genuine understanding of the lives, experiences and aspirations of the families it serves. I am incredibly proud to represent Don Valley Academy and to serve a community that I know and care about deeply. Supporting children and families to access the very best educational opportunities is at the heart of everything we do. I also value the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across Delta Academies Trust and beyond, sharing effective practice to help make a positive difference to the lives of young people. 

In my role as Programme Manager, I coordinate key administrative processes, manage events and ensure smooth communications between all stakeholders. Alongside my role in Exchange Research School, I am also the Programme Officer, a primary facilitator and lead mentor for Exchange Teacher Training.