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 undertook 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.

 Assistant Headteacher

After graduating with a BSc. Economics from the University of Essex & 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. After being appointed as Assistant Head of Year and subsequently Head of Year between Year 7 and 11 was an excellent learning curve regarding pastoral care and KS3 and 4 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. 

  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 then working in 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 CVHS 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 CVHS catchment area and am passionate that every child from our community is given the chance to succeed.

  Assistant Headteacher

Following University, I worked as a construction engineer however, this all changed following 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 CVHS in Sept 2001 and have fulfilled a number of roles including; Second in Technology, Head of Year, 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

Having graduated in Chemistry from University in Manchester I entered straight into the teaching profession.  I worked initially in an inner city school before becoming Head of Science in one of the first Grant Maintained Schools in Cheshire.  Following a career break to have my family I was lucky enough to live both in the USA and Germany before returning to the UK.  I have been privileged to work at Chelmer Valley for the past eleven years and I really enjoy working in a school with such a friendly and caring atmosphere. My current role as Assistant Headteacher involves me in leading all aspects of the Pastoral programme and I have a very dedicated team of colleagues who provide support and guidance for our students as they progress up the school.

  Assistant Headteacher

Teaching is something that I have always wanted to do. From the age of 11, when I was given the opportunity to help my teacher run dance classes, I have been passionate about helping young people achieve their goals. I completed my maths degree at University of East Anglia is Norwich and decided that the best way to learn to be a teacher was in the class room. I undertook my PGCE at SCITT which meant that I worked in school for the year shadowing and taking on classes of experienced colleagues. At the time this was quite a unique way to train but is now considered the best way to obtain qualified teacher status. Once qualified I obtained a job at a school in the London borough of Havering. I was quickly promoted to work in the pastoral team and eventually worked as Head of year. At the same time I worked alongside the head of maths as his deputy and decided that I would relish the opportunity to run my own department. I achieved the position of Head of Expressive Arts which was a wonderful experience and gave me a real insight in to many different subjects. In 2010 I arrived at Chelmer as Head of Maths and have recently relinquished that responsibility to Mr Gordon to allow me to dedicate my time to promoting teaching and learning across the whole school.

  Deputy Headteacher

After graduating from University 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. Alongside this role I took on the challenge of securing the schools second specialism in Leadership and Management. I then joined the Senior Leadership Team as an Assistant Head Teacher and have taken on numerous roles including Head of Sixth Form and Raising Standards Leader. My main responsibility now is Curriculum and Staffing; ensuring that students are fully supported through each transition point and that the curriculum is fit for purpose. I also work closely with others to inform a bespoke package of professional development for all teachers at the school that links to performance management. In 2016 I was awarded Essex Secondary Teacher of the Year after being nominated by a former student.

 

Assistant Headteacher

 

 

 

I joined teaching in 2008 after achieving a Masters in Theology, Philosophy and Sociology of Religion from Cambridge University. I took on the post of Head of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics at Chelmer in 2009 and later became Head of Humanities before becoming Assistant Headteacher. In this role I work on monitoring and evaluation of teaching, learning and curriculum and leading whole school CPD and INSET. I also take a lead on maintaining and improving the personal development of our students. In all of my roles I work closely with exceptional middle leaders and teams who strive to provide our students with the very best learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom in order to prepare students for their next stages by creating life long learners and future citizens with empowered character.