Meet the Senior Leadership Team

Headteacher

Following graduating from Cardiff University, I did not go into the education sector straight away, instead working for what was then Corus Steel (now Tata Steel).  I undertook a range of graduate placements, in transportation, logistics and sales, before taking a post in the Midlands selling steel across the country. 

After a number of years, I left and undertook my PGCE in Education at Hertfordshire University and accepted my first teaching post in Harlow.  Since then, I have worked across a number of settings in various roles, the most recent being Headteacher of a school in Cheshunt since 2017.  In addition, I was the Trust’s School Improvement Lead, working in other secondary and primary schools, focused on improving teaching and learning and outcomes for our students.  I am also a serving OFSTED inspector and inspect other schools in the local region.  I am extremely proud to be the next Headteacher at Chelmer Valley and am looking forward to growing the school into the future and continuing its journey to excellence.

Deputy Headteacher

Having graduated with a BSc in Marine Zoology and MSc in Molecular Ecology I worked briefly as a freelance academic researcher undertaking projects in UK, Europe and the Caribbean. After working for a multinational corporation as a Management Consultant and Process Analyst I realised that I missed working in science and decided to retrain as a teacher; something I have never regretted!

Since then I have worked in a number of schools across Essex and have held leadership responsibilities for behaviour, pastoral wellbeing and attendance. I joined Chelmer Valley in 2015 and I am responsible for ensuring that our students fulfil their academic potential at Key Stage 4. I work with students helping them to understand their academic progress and fulfil their potential. I also work with our teachers and middle leaders to ensure they are able to effectively asses, monitor and support every student.

Outside of the classroom I am an award winning producer of teaching resources, sometime science Vlogger, cricket enthusiast and cyclist.

I live within the Chelmer Valley catchment area and am passionate that every child from our community is given the chance to succeed.

Deputy Headteacher

After graduating from University with a degree in Psychology I started my teaching career in a challenging inner city school teaching Science across the three Key Stages and Psychology at Key Stage 5. After completing my NQT year I moved to Chelmer Valley High School in 2005, where I was quickly given the opportunity to lead on Citizenship and PSHE. I have always enjoying building relationships with students so when an opportunity became available to join the pastoral team I was delighted to be offered the position Head of Year. My proudest moment in my career is being awarded Secondary School teacher of the year after being nominated by a former student. I have also had the challenge of securing the schools second specialism in Leadership and Management. I then joined the Senior Leadership Team as an Assistant Headteacher and have taken on numerous roles including Head of Sixth Form and Raising Standards Leader.

My main responsibility now as Deputy Headteacher is developing the behaviour and culture in the school; this role builds on my strengths and passion of building and maintaining relationships with students and parents as well as maintaining the community ethos of the school. I enjoy watching the students grow as they mature through the school and achieve their goals and ambitions through hard work and determination.

I began my career as an English teacher and have since worked in a range of schools, holding leadership roles across teaching and learning, literacy, curriculum, personal development, behaviour and pastoral provision. Throughout my career, I have remained passionate about the difference that excellent teaching, high expectations and strong relationships can make to the lives and future opportunities of young people.

Before joining Chelmer Valley High School, I held a number of senior and whole-school leadership positions, working with teachers and leaders to improve classroom practice, develop curriculum and raise student achievement. As an English specialist, I also have a particular interest in literacy, reading and oracy, and in ensuring that young people develop the confidence and communication skills they need to succeed both within and beyond school.

I joined Chelmer Valley in September 2026 as Assistant Headteacher for Raising Achievement. My role includes strategic oversight of student achievement across Key Stages 3 and 4, ensuring that students are well prepared for the demands of GCSE study and are supported to make strong progress throughout their time at the school. I work closely with colleagues on curriculum, assessment, data and intervention, identifying where additional support or challenge is needed and helping to ensure that every student, regardless of starting point or background, has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

I believe strongly that raising achievement is about more than examination results. It is about creating a culture in which students recognise what they are capable of, develop resilience and independence, and are encouraged to aim high. I am delighted to have joined the Chelmer Valley community and look forward to working with students, families and colleagues to build upon the school’s successes.

Outside school, I enjoy spending time with my family, eating out and exploring different places. I am also very creative and enjoy crafting, sewing and interior projects. Having lived in the area previously, I am pleased to be returning to a community that already feels familiar.

Assistant Headteacher

After graduating with a BSc in Economics from the University of Essex  and briefly working within the commercial sector I joined the teaching profession in September 2004 as a Business Studies Teacher. I have worked in 3 very different schools across Essex gaining a wide array of experience in this timeframe. As an Assistant Head of Year and subsequently Head of Year between Year 7 and Year 11 was an excellent learning curve involving pastoral care and KS3 and KS4 developments. Following on from this, I became Head of Department and then Head of the Vocational Area at Chelmer Valley in September 2011 where I was supported to gain my Masters in Educational Leadership. I led the Sixth Form until 2020 and am now working within the Curriculum Team to develop our alternative education provision, recovery curriculum and a range of other duties. 

Studying at the University of the West of England, Bristol, I gained a BSc in Geography and Environmental Management, I returned home to South East Essex and worked in property services and finance for the first part of my career.  Having a family in my mid-twenties, I took a career break, during which I further developed my love of working with children running a pre-school music group.  When my own 2 youngsters came to be of school age I moved into being a parent helper in school and I realised that my future had to involve teaching.

I trained with Anglia Ruskin University for a PGCE and then a PGDip.  My training post became my first secured job at the Cornelius Vermuyden School, rising to second in department in mathematics, and then, most recently I have enjoyed working as a Lead Practitioner of mathematics, and in charge of teacher training at The King Edmund School. I have proudly worked with several teacher training providers in a maths specialist and teacher educator role.

Starting here at Chelmer Valley in September 2026, I am responsible for supporting our students who most struggle to attend school every day, and hope to bring my love of education to them.  I genuinely think that every day in a classroom is important and that, in a nation where we have this as a right, we have a responsibility together to work as a cohesive group, ensuring that every child can achieve their best and feel like a valued part of our community. 

After graduating in 2011 with an English Language degree, and a short stint in recruitment, I quickly realised my true vocation was in the classroom. Since qualifying in 2014, I have dedicated my teaching career to educational excellence, working as a Lead Practitioner and a Senior Leader focusing on high-quality teaching and impactful learning.

I started at Chelmer Valley in 2026 as Personal Development Lead, which marks an exciting, student-focused chapter for me. I am passionate about developing the vital life skills, values, and experiences that sit outside the traditional curriculum. I look forward to supporting our students to become confident, respectful, and caring young people who are ready to make a positive impact on the world!

Assistant Headteacher

I graduated from Loughborough University in 2005 with a plan to work in sports writing but a last-minute application to Colchester SCITT in 2007 set me on a different path. I was lucky enough to secure a job at one of my placement schools, Thurstable, and was there for 5 years; as well as teaching English, I took on a Head of Year role, taking a group from Years 7 to 9. 

In 2013, I moved to Chelmer Valley and haven’t looked back! I have been given lots of different opportunities in my time here, including Head of English; I am now Assistant Head, leading on Teaching and Learning as well as Literacy. Working with our students to develop the life skill of literacy is one of the aspects of the role I enjoy the most, as well as working with our committed staff to create engaging and impactful learning environments round the school.

Assistant Headteacher

Following University, I worked as a construction engineer however this all changed after time spent working in Romania.

I began my teaching career in North London and have since amassed over 20 years of experience teaching Technology in three very different secondary schools across Essex. I was appointed at Chelmer Valley in September 2001 and have fulfilled a number of roles including; Second in Technology, Head of Year and Head of Student Services.

In my current position I am responsible for Assessment and Achievement at KS3. I am privileged to be part of a committed team of staff that strives rigorously to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and qualities in each individual student so they can play an active and rewarding role in a changing world.

Assistant Headteacher

Teaching has always been a vocation for me. From the age of 11 when I was given the opportunity to assist my teacher in running dance classes, I discovered a genuine passion for supporting young people in achieving their goals.

After completing my Mathematics degree at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, I decided that the most effective way to learn to teach was through direct classroom experience. I undertook my PGCE through SCITT, which enabled me to spend a full year in school, observing and teaching alongside experienced colleagues. At the time, this was a relatively innovative approach to teacher training, though it is now widely regarded as one of the most effective routes to achieving Qualified Teacher Status.

Upon qualifying, I secured a position in a school within the London Borough of Havering. I was soon promoted to the pastoral team and eventually became Head of Year. Concurrently, I worked closely with the Head of Mathematics as his deputy, which inspired me to pursue the leadership of my own department. I went on to become Head of Expressive Arts - an enriching role that offered valuable insight into a wide range of subjects.

In 2010, I joined Chelmer Valley as Head of Mathematics, a role I held until 2016 when I was appointed Assistant Headteacher. In 2018, I took on the position of SENDCo, and I have greatly valued the opportunity to work closely with students and their families who require additional support to thrive in school.

Assistant Headteacher

After graduating from university in Jamaica and the United States, I taught in Jamaica and several other countries before moving to Japan. There, I enjoyed a memorable period of cultural immersion while teaching English. I later relocated to England, where I took on the role of Head of English, before becoming a Lead Practitioner and then a Head of Year. More recently, I served as Associate Leader for the Upper School before stepping into my current role as Assistant Headteacher.

In this role, I am committed to nurturing, supporting and guiding both students and staff to reach their full potential. I am passionate about fostering a love of learning, building resilience, and creating an environment in which every young person feels valued, challenged and inspired to succeed. Working alongside dedicated colleagues, I strive to ensure our students leave school not only with academic success, but also with the confidence, character and skills to thrive in life beyond the classroom.