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.  

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 excited to take on my new role as Assistant Principal at The Cornerstone Academy and to help improve outcomes for our students. I have a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and 10 years of teaching experience. I began my career at The Cornerstone as a trainee teacher and have since progressed to Head of Mathematics, giving me the privilege of working with this fantastic community throughout my career.

Having spent my entire career at The Cornerstone, I have seen the difference that high expectations and strong relationships can make to students’ success. I want every student to believe in what they are capable of and have the confidence to achieve their ambitions. In my new role, I am particularly looking forward to working with the Year 11 team and supporting students through this important stage of their education.

I am proud to have grown professionally alongside The Cornerstone Academy and to now have the opportunity to contribute to the wider leadership of the school. I am looking forward to working with staff and students to build on the progress we have already made and to play my part in the continued success of the school.

In my spare time, I love playing the guitar and attending music festivals. I also enjoy board games, card games and painting models. I’m also a big cat lover!

I am about to start my 15th year of teaching, my 7th at TCA having previously worked in Wiltshire.  I completed my BA(Hons) Design (Fashion Textiles) with the University of Plymouth before taking some time out to travel around Australia.  On my return I completed my PGCE in Design and Technology at Goldsmiths College in London.  

 I have spent the majority of my teaching career as a Head of department for Design & Technology and Art.  I have also been part of the Teaching and learning teams at the schools I have worked in, completing my NPQ in Leading teacher development.  My new role at TCA is to work alongside the teachers and students of the 'open subjects', these are the subjects that fall outside of English, Maths, Science and the Humanities.  I am so excited to help teachers nurture not only the student's academic abilities but also the creativity, leadership and workplace skills taught through these open subjects that are vital to support our students to be successful into further education and the work place.

 When not teaching you can probably find me pottering around my allotment or creating something (hopefully) wonderful from a glut of something grown - my current favourite is my tomato & chilli jam!

I am proud to be part of The Cornerstone Academy community, having joined the school in September 2024. At TCA, I lead the support and development of trainee teachers, Early Career Teachers and colleagues who are new to the school. I am also responsible for literacy across the academy, helping to ensure that all students develop the reading, writing and communication skills they need to succeed both in school and beyond.

I qualified as a teacher in 2010 after completing a Bachelor's degree in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. Since then, I have led Religious Studies in a large comprehensive school and worked for two educational charities focused on tackling educational inequality. Throughout my career, I have supported trainee teachers, Early Career Teachers and school leaders, and I am passionate about developing effective teaching and improving outcomes for young people.

Literacy is a particular passion of mine because it is the foundation for success across the curriculum and in later life. I believe that strong literacy skills empower students to become confident learners and communicators.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children; we love visiting the theatre and travelling together to explore new places and cultures.

I am delighted to be taking on this new role as Associate Assistant Principal at The Cornerstone Academy focusing on transition of students, not only from Primary School, but also within the academy. I completed my BSc (Hons) in Geography from Bournemouth University and an MA (Ed) from the University of Winchester. Most recently, I completed the National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture, further strengthening my commitment to creating positive and inclusive learning environments.

Having completed my NQT year at The Cornerstone Academy, I have thoroughly enjoyed progressing through a variety of roles, including Head of Year, and more recently leading the reintroduction of Business Studies as part of our GCSE curriculum offer. Throughout my time at Cornerstone, I have seen first-hand the importance of community and ensuring that every student has a strong sense of belonging. In my new role, I look forward to building on this foundation, ensuring students continue to make excellent progress and are fully prepared for the next stages of their education and future careers. I am passionate about supporting an inclusive environment where every student feels valued, supported, and able to succeed. I strongly believe that students achieve their best when they feel a sense of belonging and know that they are understood as individuals, which can start from their transition to secondary education. I strive to ensure that all young people feel supported throughout every stage of their school journey enabling them to develop confidence, resilience, and a positive outlook for their future.

I am incredibly proud to be part of the Cornerstone community and to see our students thrive, grow in confidence, and demonstrate the potential they so greatly deserve.

When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy attending spin classes, exploring homeware shops, and spending time with family and friends. I also have a long-standing love of miniature dachshunds and would love to have one of my own in the future.