Ian Elliott - Chair of Governors
Ian is an experienced journalist, traveller, political campaign coordinator (don’t hold that against him!) and educator, having worked nationally and internationally in the education field for over 20 years. He has worked for the University of Sunderland for the past 20+ years, where he has moved from his position as a Literature specialist (Romanticism, Victorian, Classical Greek, Medieval) to an expert in pedagogy, lesson planning, and assessment.
Ian has experience in designing and delivering different programmes based on the ITTECF frameworks and is often asked by private organisations to advise on such programmes.
Being a programme leader for Sunderland, Ian has exceptional experience of working on academic boards, ensuring that high expectations and assessment procedures are upheld in the awarding of educational certificates and qualifications.
Ian is an experienced governor, holding various positions on different educational governing bodies throughout his career.
Helen Hemingway - Governing body secretary
Educational Philosophy
Teachers must hold students to high expectations. Every student has the ability to succeed, given the right teaching methods, resources and support. It’s the teacher’s job to encourage students to be diligent and strive for growth in their learning. It is also the teachers job to consider all the things surrounding a pupil and support their social and emotional development as well as their academic development.
I believe the purpose of education is to ensure all students learn and grow to the best of their ability . We need to provide them with the tools to strive in the modern day and be a good citizen.
Teachers should be great examples and people in leadership positions have a responsibility to lead by example.
Teachers and leaders should continue to lean on research-based best practices and understand how to leverage other resources appropriately to support their pupils in the best possible way.
Educational Experience and Accomplishments
Helen has over 20 years experience within the educational field, completing her BA Hons. Primary Education (3-11) with full QTS.
Helen is a passionate teacher with experience in developing and implementing diverse curricula, covering a wide range of subjects. She is dedicated to supporting social, emotional and academic wellbeing of all students and is highly skilled in motivating student development through positive encourage and interactive classroom instruction.
Helen currently works as a Deputy Head in a Primary School, taking on responsibility for teaching, learning and curriculum development across KS1 and KS2. She is a skilled and experienced mentor, having completed the most recent mentor training with Ambition Institute and continues to support trainee teachers and ECTs within their roles. As part of her ongoing CPD, Helen is currently working towards an NPQH.
Helen is highly organised, resourceful and forward-thinking when it comes to her role in education. She is a decisive leader with excellent levels of communication and collaborative practice.
Helen has recently completed an 18 month project with the EEF and Calderdale to raise attainment and fill the gaps for the more disadvantaged children in our school .
She is continuing to study, now taking part in a year’s planned project to transform a reading for pleasure culture in our schools . This is based on recent research and The Reading Framework (DfE, 2023) .
Siobhan Brady - Governor
Siobhan is a passionate education consultant dedicated to driving school improvement and making a positive difference in educational settings. Her career spans the UK and UAE, beginning as a teacher in the UK and holding pivotal roles such as Principal, Vice Principal, and Head of Inclusion/SENCo in the UAE since 2017.
Siobhan is now a full-time consultant and inspector specialising in whole school improvement against various frameworks, with experience working with schools seeking to enhance their overall judgement ratings. She has inspected and worked with various curricula, including UK, US, IB, Philippine, Indian, and Pakistani systems. Siobhan has been a British Schools Overseas inspector since 2019 and has conducted inspections of private schools against the UAE Framework, in addition to various mock reviews across the Emirates.