Research School Network: Core team

Susie is Director of Education for Greater Manchester Academies Trust, based at Manchester Communication Academy and has previously been Vice Principal at Manchester Communication Academy with responsibility for Quality of Education. Her previous responsibilities have included Inclusion, Teaching and Learning and Staff Development. She has been a SENDCo and a Head of English. Susie has also worked as an English consultant for Hertfordshire Local Authority. Susie’s research area of expertise is Effective Professional Development and she is a Fellow in Teacher Education with Ambition Institute.

Rebekah is Vice Principle for curriculum, standards and development at Manchester Communication Academy. She has taught English for over ten years in Manchester and Rochdale, leading a highly successful department as Head of English for four years. Rebekah has an ongoing passion for all things curriculum, assessment and Literacy. Her current role enables Rebekah to put into practice many of the things she learned from her own professional development, including a Master’s Degree in Leadership in Education. Rebekah is also a Fellow in Teacher Education through Ambition Institute.

Becky is a Teacher of Science at Manchester Communication Academy. She has worked in secondary education for over 16 years in several leadership roles including assistant Curriculum Leader and CPD lead for Science. Becky has previously worked with the team as an ELE delivering our Making the difference for Disadvantaged programme in Salford. Her areas of expertise are pedagogy and content knowledge of high quality teaching in disadvantaged settings, striving to improve teacher expertise through well developed, implemented and clear evidence based strategies.

Claire is a Research Associate at Manchester Communication Academy and is responsible for implementing evidence informed practice across the trust. She is also a history teacher. Previously, Claire was Director of Global Understanding for five years and prior to that was head of history for six years. Claire has also worked as a subject success researcher in history. Her areas of expertise include effective curriculum design and implementation.

Kim is an executive assistant for Greater Manchester Academies Trust, working closely with the executive headteacher, headteacher and senior leadership team at Manchester Communication Academy. Kim is currently completing a BA Honors in Business Management and in additional to this she also provides support to Lancashire Research School. Kim has previously been part of the Family Partnership team, Student Health and Facilities/​lettings team. Prior to this Kim has 10 years primary school experience.