Meet the Senior Leadership Team

I have been in education for over 30 years and started my service at the then named Carter Community School in 1998.  I was born and raised in Bedfordshire which is as far from the sea as you can probably get, in the UK.  I studied Biochemistry at the University of Greenwich but soon realised that I did not want to spend my life in a laboratory.  Instead, my passion for outdoor activities drew me to some amazing places, from the borders of Wales to Northern France, to teach Outdoor Education.

However, the natural beauty and fantastic surroundings in the Poole area are what drew me to stay after completing my teacher training at the age of 24.  Whilst in my first teaching post, I met my wife, secured a job at Carter Community School and finally put down my roots in this very special place.

My wife and I have 2 fantastic children who we are very proud of, and we thoroughly enjoy our life here.  This area has so much to offer, and I regularly enjoy the vast array of outdoor activities that can be pursued here.  

TCA has become more than a home to me, and I am very proud of how the school has been transformed over the years. Equally I am fully committed to continuing this work and making TCA the first-choice school for the Hamworthy Community and beyond.

The Cornerstone Academy has been my professional home for the past eleven years and it is a school that I am incredibly proud of.  I gained my Religious Studies (BA hons) degree from The University of Kent and then moved to Exeter University to complete my teacher training.  Having previously taught at two other local secondary schools as Head of RE and Head of Year, I joined TCA at the beginning of my journey with United Learning. My principal areas of focus within TCA have been staff development and Teaching and Learning. I am passionate about supporting staff with their pedagogy and, in turn, seeing the fantastic progress students make.

I regularly support the United Learning Trust by running and facilitating middle leadership training, as well as offering support to other UL academies. I was also invited to deliver training to Southampton Football Club Academy teachers and coaches, which was a career highlight, as my whole family are huge Southampton FC supporters!  

Collaboration is my favourite aspect of belonging to a multi-academy trust because we can share great ideas and broaden our expertise. I am part of a group of senior leaders that organise the Bournemouth and Poole Cluster training day, and this benefits all staff across the UL schools in our area. The most important part of my job is building up strong relationships with staff, parents, and students. We all work better together when there is mutual trust and respect.  

Outside of school, I am a mum to two daughters, and I enjoy the time we get to spend as a family. I also love the theatre, especially musicals and stand-up comedy.

I am proud to say that I have worked at The Cornerstone Academy since my first year as a newly qualified teacher eleven years ago. Since the first day I interviewed, I knew that Cornerstone was where I wanted to work, dedicating my time to its students and wider community. I am passionate about the holistic development of all our students, as well as securing the best possible academic outcomes, so that they can realise their dreams for the future. This passion has driven me to work in several roles within TCA, from a Head of Year 8 and Year 9, Lead Learning Director, SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead, to where I am now, as Vice Principal as well. I am privileged to ensure that our students receive the calmest, safest, most welcoming school offer possible; it is also my pleasure to support the highest standard of teaching and learning.

Living, working, and raising my own two children in the same community is a real honour. I truly believe that the school I am part of is one that I would want for my own children. Outside school, I have a love for sailing and being near the sea. As a mother, I enjoy watching my children develop their own passions; I’ve loved watching them learn to read, use numbers to make sense of the world, and join clubs and communities of their own.  

Having joined The Cornerstone Academy in September 2024 from a local secondary school, I bring a wealth of teaching experience from a variety of schools. I gained my degree in Sports Science from the University of Wales, Bangor, and my PGCE from Greenwich University. I have also completed my NPQSL. I began teaching in London before coming home to Dorset.  

 started teaching as a PE teacher, but I retrained twelve years ago to become a maths teacher. Now, I hope to inspire the students I work with to embrace their mathematical thinking in new and exciting ways. I grew up in Hamworthy and have many fond memories here. Now being part of the Senior Leadership Team at TCA, I can give back to the community that I grew up in.  

I am responsible for attendance at TCA and look forward to working with the whole community to give our children the best possible start to their lives.

I joined The Cornerstone Academy in September, having taught in schools across BCP. I gained my original degree from Brighton University, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Education (Science), and then a master's degree in Leadership in Education from The University of Chichester. I thoroughly enjoy research, and I am currently writing a professional doctorate in education.

I am a teacher of science, passionate about students’ enjoyment of education and developing practical science teaching.  

My current role overseeing behaviour allows me to foster a school culture of high expectations; it is truly a privilege to develop students into the amazing people that they become.

Beyond the classroom, I am a father of two children. I love getting outdoors and playing rugby.

I joined The Cornerstone Academy over eleven years ago after gaining a BSc (hons) in Anatomical Sciences from the University of Manchester. During those years, I have always worked tirelessly to ensure that our students receive the best education, first as a teacher of science, and now, as an Assistant Principal. It is a privilege in this role to support the development of other teachers. I am extremely proud to have been part of the transformational journey here and am delighted to be part of a team that are relentlessly working to provide the best possible education, every single day.

As well as supporting staff at the beginning of their careers, I am also enjoying the new challenge of leading school-wide Disciplinary Literacy. Alongside our English team, we have already introduced innovative and research-led strategies to ensure that Cornerstone students receive a comprehensive programme of vocabulary, reading, writing and oracy instruction across every subject in school.  

In my spare time, I enjoy taking part in quizzes, especially the SOTCA school quiz, visiting new places and spending time with my two children. 

I am currently in my fourth year at The Cornerstone Academy, after being at another United Learning School for nine years. I completed my BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, MA (Ed), and a National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership.

 I am passionate about delivering a high-quality Education with Character Programme and enhancing the student experience. In my current role, I also focus on fostering community and parental engagement, because they are crucial for supporting the students' academic and personal growth. I have initiated and co-ordinated several projects in collaboration with local organisations, businesses, and families.  

I have led several overseas expeditions, including to Nepal, Iceland and Kosovo, as well as successfully running the Duke of Edinburgh Award. I am about to embark on my biggest adventure yet – becoming a mum! I am looking forward to returning to TCA after maternity leave and developing Student Experience further. 

I am thrilled to have been a part of The Cornerstone Academy community for the past three years, first as Head of Science and now as Assistant Principal. With a BSc (Hons) in Education (Science) and eleven years of teaching experience, I am deeply committed to building a supportive and challenging environment for all students.

I firmly believe that every child has the potential to achieve, and I am dedicated to doing all I can to make that a reality. I work closely with the Year 11 team to ensure that our students receive the guidance and support they need during this crucial stage of their education. I take immense pride in being part of a school that upholds high expectations for its students, both academically and personally. The journey we are on together is incredibly exciting, and I am eager to contribute to our collective success.

Outside of school, I am a dad to two children, and I love spending time with my family at the beach or sailing! 

I am pleased to embark on my sixth year at The Cornerstone Academy. I have seen the school improve and grow exponentially in my time here and I am confident we will continue in the same manner.

After receiving my BSc (hons) in Sports Coaching, I trained to teach at the Mountbatten School, before joining United Learning at Glenmoor and Winton. I started my journey at The Cornerstone Academy as Head of PE, before becoming Head of Year. I have thoroughly enjoyed this role; it has been a privilege to watch the students in my year group grow up into fantastic people.

My favourite thing about being part of the TCA team is being part of a staff body who are always willing to go above and beyond for their students.  

I am delighted to have been at The Cornerstone Academy since becoming a teacher six years ago. Two years ago, I created The Grammar Stream, which is going from strength to strength.

After receiving a BA (hons) in English with Sociology at St Mary’s University College, I continued to The University of Southampton and gained a Master’s in English. Part way through a PhD in English, also at Southampton, I discovered that I preferred to teach secondary students, so I withdrew to complete a PGCE at Bath Spa.

I am passionate that a high-quality education should be accessible for all, and I believe that we should wear our intelligence and learning with pride.

Outside school, I am a mum to three adult children, two of whom have special educational needs, and I am an avid reader.