Associates R - W
Simon Richards
Currently Deputy Head and Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for the Gosforth Federation of Academies in Newcastle, a hard federation of a 9 to 12 age range middle school and 13 to 19 high school, both of which became convertor Academies in 2011. In 2008, the school was classed as outstanding by Ofsted with 70% of Y11 achieving at least 5 A*-C with English and mathematics from an intake at exactly the national average at KS2. The Academy had major success nationally in promoting MFL as one of the first a Language Colleges from 1996, and 57% of last year’s Y11 achieved at least one GCSE in a modern language, with a third achieving two. He spent a year with Ofsted on the school leaders’ secondment programme, led inspections and developed his expertise in both Early Years and Key Stages 1 and 2, as well as subject surveys. He continues to team inspect. He is Chair of Governors in one school and a governor in another, has a considerable interest in governor development and delivers training nationally on making governors more effective. He also delivers training courses nationally on self evaluating schools and departments and developing middle leaders. His experience is across all age ranges of schools and has practical experience of working partnerships of schools both within and without federations.
Alan Smith
Alan has worked with Northern Education as an Associate for four years. He is currently contracted as a School Improvement Partner in schools in Bolton LA. In addition, he carries out the same role in partnership with eight schools in Redcar and Cleveland. In August 2006, Alan retired after twenty four years as Head Teacher of Mill Hill Primary School in Sunderland. Mill Hill is a very large school in a challenging part of the city for pupils aged 4 to 11. During Alan’s time at Mill Hill the school was the subject of two Ofsted inspections in 1997 and 2003 and on both occasions it was judged to be an excellent school. In 1996, Alan was seconded for two terms to train as a Registered Ofsted inspector and subsequently successfully led 36 inspections in primary, junior and infant schools across the country. Alan ceased to work as an Ofsted inspector in 2005 but since that time he has worked extensively with head teacher colleagues, their staff and governors to assist them in preparing for Ofsted inspections. In October 2007 Alan gained accreditation as a School Improvement Partner in the Primary Phase. He currently works in partnership with twelve primary schools in two local authorities. Since his retirement from headship in 2006 Alan continues to work with head teacher colleagues to assist them in many elements of their challenging roles. For example, Alan works with head teachers to prepare their schools for Ofsted inspections,, to construct the self-evaluation form, to analyse budget developments or to assist with staff appointments. Head Teachers report that they greatly value his positive attitude in supporting them and their staff in further improving their schools. In addition, they have come to totally trust his commitment and support to their schools and know that his work is always carried out in a most professional, positive and totally confidential manner.
Dave Smith
Dave’s career in children’s services began in 1972 when he was appointed as a primary teacher in Avon. Prior to that Dave had gained a 1st Class Honours Degree in Psychology/Sociology/Economics and a PGCE, with Distinctions in both theory and practice. Dave then completed the MEd course in Educational Psychology and worked in a number of authorities as an educational psychologist prior to his appointment as Principal Educational Psychologist in Redbridge, and then in Durham. While in these roles Dave led on pioneering work around anti-bully and counselling in schools, contributing to a number of books and journals on these subjects. In 1992 he was selected for a Churchill Fellowship in the USA, studying innovative approaches to school discipline. In 2003 Dave was appointed as Assistant Director in Redcar and Cleveland with responsibility for Access and Inclusion. In 2006 Dave was seconded to the post of Children’s Services Adviser (CSA) for the DCSF in the North East, with a specific regional policy lead for achievement and for working closely with local authorities across the children’s agenda to improve outcomes for all children. Since November 2010 Dave has worked as Regional Lead for Succession Planning in the North East.
Dave Snaith
Over the last 26 years Dave has worked with significant success a senior leader in three secondary schools, two local authorities, as a School Improvement Partner, National Challenge Adviser and Director of a 14-19 Partnership. Between 1995 and 2001, he was headteacher in a challenging school in Sunderland where GCSE 5A*-C and KS3 average % level 5+ more than doubled, exclusions fell 75% and attendance rose 5%. When Senior Adviser in Middlesbrough, the Local Authority average increase against national 2003-6 was KS3 L5+ 8% against 4.3%; KS4 5A*-C 10% against 6%. It was the 16th most improved LA (of 150) in 2006 and his team “the most joined up secondary team in the country” (DfES 2004). When NCA one of his schools improved their 5A*-C (inc. E&M) from 15% to 31% in under two years without a headteacher and suitably staffed English and maths departments for much of the time. National Strategies QA stated David had “excellent knowledge of the school, its priorities; very good engagement with leaders with probing questions and suggestions; effective deeper discussion and good challenge about sustained improvement “. As SIP to Fulwood Academy, David has been working with the new principal to improve self-evaluation, attainment, leadership and behaviour. 5A*-CEM was 29% in 2010; it it rose to 46% in 2011 despite major staffing issues in English and maths. YLPA QA regarded David’s reports as “very good - clear, sharp and consistent” and “the principal and chair of governors value the support provided by the SIP”. In South Tyneside and Middlesbrough, David worked with PRUs classified by Ofsted as inadequate, focusing on improving leadership, management systems and teaching. The PRUs have now been taken out of this category. When he was Director of a 14-19 Partnership, Government North East felt that the improved performance and partnership working should be shared with other LAs. As lead for Education and Change Management, Dave worked closely with headteachers, governors and architects to develop the excellent education provision through Middlesbrough’s successful Building Schools for the Future project between 2006 and 2008.
Alan Thompson
Alan has worked with Northern Education as an Associate, and on an independent basis as an education consultant, since 2007. He retired from Headship in 2007 after thirty seven years of teaching experience in London, Birmingham, Suffolk, Essex and Durham. Between 1990 and 2007 he was Head of Park View Community School in Chester le Street. During his tenure the school grew from just over 1,100 to 1,500 on roll, with a sixth form of 300. In 1997 the school acquired Language College status and in 2000 was awarded Beacon status, which subsequently evolved into Leading Edge and High Performing Schools status. Park View had successful inspections in 1995 and 1999 and was featured in the national HMI pilot of the new inspection framework in June 2004. The school was graded outstanding in all aspects of its work. Since 2007, Alan has worked as a School Improvement Partner with a variety of secondary schools in Northumberland, Darlington, Newcastle and Durham. He has also been deployed as a National Challenge Advisor in Hull and has first hand experience of supporting and developing stronger management systems in schools facing significant challenges. Alan has other broader experience of supporting leadership and management. In 2002, on behalf of Durham LEA, he was in charge of a school with serious weaknesses in which he successfully implemented a recovery plan. From 1999 until 2002 he was an NPQH trainer and between 2001and 2006 a facilitator for LPSH programmes. More recently as an accredited national facilitator, he has delivered NCSL team development programmes. On an independent basis, Alan has organised and facilitated bespoke leadership programmes for secondary schools across the North East Region.
Ken Tonge
Ken began teaching in Cambridgeshire in 1975 as an English teacher in Walton School, becoming Head of English in Ken Stimpson School six years later. In 1985 he became Deputy Head of Oxclose School in Washington. His headship experience began in 1991 when he was appointed Head of De Brus School in Cleveland. In 1997, he was appointed Head of Ashington High School in Northumberland. During 2005/6, Ken had his first experience of Executive Headship with oversight of the Bedlington High School and West Sleekburn Middle School Federation, while still retaining his role as Head of Ashington High. In 2007, Ken became the Executive Director of the Ashington Learning Partnership, the first Trust to be formed and also the largest hard federation in the country with 5 schools. The partnership has over three thousand school age learners and nearly a thousand adult learners. In addition, Ken has worked with Northumbria University to develop an accredited Masters Degree course and with the National College for School Leadership on the Middle Leadership Development course. Over the past 10 years, Ken has acted as a consultant for The Youth Sport Trust and SSAT. He has also had experience as an Ofsted Inspector, a SIP and an External Adviser for Headteacher PM. In carrying out these roles, he has supported a number of schools in coming out of Ofsted category. Ken has worked with countless schools as an external adviser and with schools in Leeds and Middlesbrough as a SIP. Described by Ofsted as ‘an inspirational leader’, Ken’s strengths lie in strategic planning for school improvement. He is not afraid of making difficult decisions and working creatively to make the best possible provision for learners. Through careful analysis of data, resources, capacity and leadership, he has the ability to cut through difficult problems to find effective solutions.
Mike Vening
Mike Vening is an Associate with a specialism in Special Educational Needs and the education of children and young people with behaviour difficulties. Mike has devoted his life to special needs education and has strived to ensure that all young people have their talents recognised, nurtured and encouraged. Between 2006 and 2009 Mike was Executive Headteacher of Stockton Borough First Federation, a hard federation that consists of: AbbeyHillSchooland TechnologyCollegeand WestlandsSchool. Between 1998 and 2006 Mike was Headteacher at AbbeyHillSchooland TechnologyCollege, Stockton-on-Tees. Abbey Hill is a very large split site secondary special school for children with learning difficulties. Because of Mike’s foresight Abbey Hill was the first special school in the country to become a technology college. In 2009, Mike received the Ted Wragg Teaching Award for Lifetime Achievement in North East and Cumbria. On several occasions, Mike has been required to step into the leadership roles of schools in difficulty. He is regularly called upon to provide advice. Between 1995 and 1998 Mike also had experience as Headteacher of Percy Hedley School inNorth Tyneside, a non maintained special school. Prior to this Mike had 15 years experience as an inspector for Special Needs with Sunderland Local Authority and has been an OFSTED trained inspector. Mike has also been a national trainer on NPQH special educational needs programmes (1999-2007). He has been a NRT Remodelling Consultant and Trainer of LEA Remodelling Consultants, Northern region (2004-2006) and is a HLTA Assessor (2003 to date) Mike was awarded the Ted Wragg Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Morgan Wallace
Morgan has 17 years experience of school leadership in a variety of roles and settings in both 11-18 and 11-16 schools. His past experience also includes 5 years in a Local Authority advisory service. Morgan became Head Teacher of King’s Manor School in Middlesbrough in 2001. The school operated in an area of considerable socio-economic disadvantage and, during Morgan’s tenure as Head, significant changes to its organisation, structure and operational practices took place. Major developments included the launch of a highly successful House based pastoral system, significant curriculum change and an overhaul of staffing and leadership structures. From 2002 to 2010, 5+ A*-C results rose from 24% to 68% with the school achieving the SSAT Most Improved Schools award in 2007 and 2008. In addition to his school leadership role, Morgan was instrumental in establishing and then chairing the Middlesbrough Secondary Education Improvement Partnership, leading on a number of collaborative school improvement priorities. He also represented secondary colleagues on the School Management Forum and the 14-19 Strategic Steering Group. Morgan gained SIP accreditation in 2009 and since April 2010 has been a full time Education Consultant, working mainly as a Leadership Development Adviser with the National College’s Accelerate to Headship programme.
Tony Webster
Tony’s career in education spans forty years during which he has worked in secondary schools which range from a social priority area school in Leeds to a rural comprehensive in Northumberland. He has thirty years experience as a member of senior teams including eleven years as head of Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, a school which was judged outstanding by Ofsted and designated a high performing specialist school. Tony also has wide experience of working in a broader context including: two years in industry and higher education as Goldsmiths’ Industrial Fellow; on a number of LA groups; and in various community roles including that of Chair of the Hexham Youth Initiative. He has substantial and successful experience of partnership working which includes being co-leader of a NCSL network learning community, a founder of Tyndale Virtual College and co-leading the creation of a hard federation of schools. Tony hasI trained as a consultant leader at the national college and is accredited as a SIP and NCA. He works in three local authorities in that role: in 2010 two of the schools for which he is am NCA were among the top ten percent of most improved schools in the country.
Judy Williams
In 2010 Judy retired from the full time post of Headteacher to become a School Improvement Partner for 8 schools. In 1997 Judy was appointed Headteacher of Langley First School. During the 14 years of Judy’s leadership the school moved from satisfactory, through good to outstanding. The building and grounds were developed to support the curriculum. The school became the base for two resourced provisions: the Early Years Assessment Nursery and a resourced provision for children with physical difficulties throughout the school. Judy was SENCO and these provisions were recognition of the outstanding work that staff was doing in including children with special needs and enabling them to reach their potential. Judy’s leadership was described as “exceptional” by the Ofsted team. Her ability to embrace and put into place new and very effective initiatives was felt to be a key component in the improvement of the school. In 2005 Judy trained as an Ofsted team Inspector and completed her mentored inspection. This training gave her an insight into the process of inspection and the judgement decisions. In 2006 Judy was accredited as a School Improvement Partner. She worked with 3 schools in North Tyneside whilst she was a full time Headteacher. Headteachers appreciated her practical approach to the role which had a positive impact on school improvement. She has worked for the local authority on Assessment and Special needs provision.
Kevin Willis
Kevin has had extensive experience as a head teacher for 14 years across three very different schools including being acting head teacher of one in special measures. In 1998 Kevin moved into local government where he held the roles of General inspector, Senior Inspector and Head of School Improvement. In 2008 Kevin moved into the freelance market. He established two major projects in Qatar. He worked with a Fresh Start school and worked as a Project Manager for a major Academy. He contributed to a range in-service training and consultancy. Kevin as an Ofsted Inspector had specialisms in the areas of Early Years, Leadership and Management and Curriculum Development. In leadership roles he has demonstrated his ability to build positive relationships and strong team work. These relationships are underpinned by openness, honesty and trust. His experience both as a head teacher and as Head of a School Improvement Service has ensured that he is able to quickly evaluate the quality of leadership, effectiveness of teaching and its impact on learning. Kevin has the skills and personality to deliver messages but with a willingness to understand the context and work with school leaders and governors to find positive solutions to the challenges ahead. Kevin’s key experience extends from EYFS to the end of KS2 and covers a wide range of schools nationally. He has significant experience of working with senior leaders and chairs of governors to help them to account for the progress of improvement strategies and encourages regular support monitoring meetings. Through his roles in a school improvement service and with the National Strategies, Kevin has developed significant skills in supporting schools in data analysis, assessment, tracking and target setting and delivering Raise Online training to senior leaders. Kevin can apply his knowledge of and expertise in the use of a range of nationally developed tools and publications to support schools to improve including Stronger Management Systems and Stronger Governance Systems in which he was the co-writer.