Research School Network: Meet the Team
Meet the Team
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Director of Somerset Research School and Assistant Headteacher and School Improvement Lead at The Blue School, Wells.
Tom has been teaching for 24 years and has held various leadership roles in two large secondary schools in the South West. He facilitates a number of Research Schools Network training programmes alongside managing the work of our growing group of ELE & EA’s. Tom also delivers keynote presentations at conferences and events across the region. Tom is passionate about engaging with research evidence to improve teaching and learning and enjoys supporting other professionals to do the same.
Deputy Research School Director, Evidence Lead in Education (ELE) Metacognition, Senior Teaching Coach and Head of KS4 English at The Blue School.
Will is part of the team delivering ‘Making sense of Metacognition’ and ‘Effective Learning Behaviours’ programmes. Will also contributes to other Somerset Research School CPD programmes sharing invaluable knowledge, expertise and subject-specific recommendations.
Research School Project Coordinator
Fiona works alongside Tom and Will ensuring that CPD courses, including workshops, conferences and twilights are delivered across the south west. Fiona is responsible for communications and project management.
Evidence Advocate (EA) – Secondary Science, Head of Science at Crispin School in Street.
As Head of Science Faculty at Crispin School and Director of Science for the Wessex Learning Trust, Rachael passionately champions the integral role of science education in understanding the world and fostering social mobility. Dedicated to cultivating lifelong learners, Rachael emphasizes the significance of science, a foundational subject, ensuring its crucial presence in all aspects of learning. Rachael prioritizes instilling self-regulation skills to empower students for success beyond the classroom.
Evidence Lead in Education (ELE) – Primary Phase Literacy
Anne works within the Somerset Literacy network. It was established in 2010 to ensure that Somerset schools have continued access to high quality literacy support and resources.
Evidence Lead in Education (ELE) – Primary Learning Behaviours
Ro is Headteacher at St Nicholas’ Chantry Church of England and has been teaching for over 20 years holding various leadership roles. As SEMH leader and Pupil Premium reviewer Ro uses her knowledge and training to ensure best outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and to ensure adults, young people, parents & carers in school communities are better equipped for the pressures of modern life.
Evidence Lead in Education (ELE) – PP & Inclusion
Clare is an Executive Headteacher of a Junior School in Bath and a 2‑form entry Primary School with Nursery in Somerset. Both are in areas of high deprivation with much higher-than-average numbers of pupils eligible for pupil premium and those with identified SEND. She has been a head for over 10 years and is passionate about working in schools in challenging circumstances. She is keen to ensure the integration of research evidence alongside practitioner expertise and knowledge of context. As well as recently completing her master’s in educational research with distinction, she is also the Headteacher Champion for teaching excellence across her trust – her main focus is supporting schools with developing and implementing teaching and learning and CPD strategies and training coaches.
Read Clare’s blog for the DfE here, ‘A headteacher’s top tips to effectively manage Pupil Premium funding’.
EA (Evidence Advocate) – SEND
SEND/Inclusion Improvement Lead, TiLA (Trust in Learning Academy)
Emma is the TiLA Trust Lead for SEND Improvement. She has worked in mainstream and special schools as well as previously being Head of Service for Inclusive City in Bristol. Emma was a RIL in the Delta Project with Somerset Research School, EEF and Bristol City Council.
Evidence Advocate (EA) Primary Science & Reading
Lauren leads Reading and Science at a two-form entry Primary school in Bristol. Passionate about evidence-informed education, she strives to bridge the gap between research and practice to ensure high-quality teaching for all children. Lauren has implemented research-driven practices and professional development in Science and Reading to improve outcomes and raise the profile of these subjects. She is keen to support practitioners to connect with research and implement it within their schools.
Evidence Lead in Education (ELE) – Early Years
Ali has over 25 years’ experience in the early years education sector as a teacher, EYFS Leader, Local Authority Consultant supporting schools, PVI settings and Children’s Centres. She delivers evidence informed training and has written a number of CPD programmes as part of the Bristol & Beyond Stronger Practice Hub. She is passionate about children’s early language development and inspiring environments, practitioners and practice that ignites a lifelong love of learning through play. Ali is currently supporting schools and EY settings offering intensive support, facilitating team development and delivering a research CPD project centred on EYFS Leadership.
Evidence Advocate – Early Years & Primary Reading
James is Deputy Head at the Park and Parkwall Federation in Bristol and has completed NPQs in Leading Literacy and Senior Leadership. Based at The Park Primary School, James is a member of the Federation Leadership Team with responsibilities for Assessment and Reading. He has implemented research driven practices and professional development in Early Years and Key Stage One to improve outcomes in Early Reading and Phonics with the English Hub. Working in partnership with Read Write Inc. as 1 of 4 schools to film high quality in action clips and training to improve practices across the country. Additionally, James leads reading across the Mosaic Partnership Trust, implementing evidence-based practice and professional development to improve the teaching of fluency, and comprehension outcomes in Key Stage Two, and inspire a generation of lifelong readers across all their schools. He is keen to support colleagues in connecting with research to inform and improve practices in their schools.
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