Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) are outstanding middle and senior leaders who have the skills and experience to support individuals or teams in other schools. SLEs have at least two years' experience in a particular field of expertise and a track record of school improvement.
In addition to their role in providing school-to-school support SLEs are involved in many aspects of the teaching school work including:
- Designing and delivering effective CPD
- Leading subject development across the Alliance
- Initial Teacher Training
- Leading research projects
WCTSA SLEs
Bridget Culver, Uffculme School
Bridget is an experienced Head of Mathematics of a high attaining department at Uffculme School. She began her teaching career in 2000 and was Head of Year for four years before becoming Head of Department in 2006. Bridget has led a variety of successful strategies and initiatives within Uffculme School's Maths department and has then run PD sessions for local schools. She is a Maths PD Lead and currently runs a National Collaborative project on 'mathematical reasoning' with the Jurassic Maths Hub and NCETM.
Jo Dentith, Uffculme Primary School
Jo has been the Headteacher of Uffculme Primary School since 2014. Prior to this she was Deputy Head & SENDCo at Rydon Primary School for five years where she also achieved the National Award for SEN Coordination. Jo has taught within Devon for fifteen years and with a specialism in Early Years Education (MEd). Jo is a school based mentor for our School Direct Training programme.
Claire Hayman,Uffculme Primary School
Claire is Asssitant Headteacher at Uffculme Primary School, where she is also the Key Stage 2 Lead and English Coordinator. Claire is a staff govenor and has been teaching at Uffculme Primary for 10 years. She is passionate about teaching and providing an outstanding education for children of all abilities and backgrounds. Claire has delivered some of our Key Stage Writing Moderation workshops.
Fiona Jeffrey, Castle Primary School
Fiona is a Deputy Headteacher with responsibilities around curriculum design, mathematics, assessment, NQT support, development of middle leaders and CPD. She was seconded to Castle School to support improved learning for the children in 2013. She has been teaching in Primary Education for 30 years, starting her teaching career in East London and has been based in Devon for 27 years. She worked as an adviser for Maths within Devon under the umbrella of the Primary National Strategies for 9 years. She has a history of delivering high quality bespoke CPD programmes as well as NQT training and supporting action research.
Tom Johns, Kingsmead School
Tom is passionate about teaching and learning and has taught all three sciences at Kingsmead School since 2009. In 2012 he was appointed ‘Leader of Achievement’ for KS3, responsible for highlighting, monitoring and tracking under performing students and making sure interventions are in place to support them. On top of this role he has interest in ‘data and assessment’ in life beyond levels and during primary-secondary transition. At Kingsmead Tom mentors Science ITT students and is also Somerset Science Network Leader,organising the very successful Science Somerset S4S days. He has also delivered network meetings for STEM learning and bespoke STEM triple science support.
Simon Lane, Uffculme School
Simon has worked in education since 2002. He has been Head of Year for the past 7 years and also has experience of working as an assistant subject leader in PE, Lead Practitioner and as a Teacher Coach. Simon's examination results have been nationally recognised in the Good Schools Guide. Simon has led a number of successful initiatives within the PE department and across the school. Simon has worked as a teacher coach within Uffculme School and in other schools.
Nick Lecharpentier, Blundell's School
Nick has been the Head of MFL at Blundell’s since 2014 and prior to that worked at Huish Episcopi, during which time he held the position of Head of French and Teaching and Learning mentor. He has over ten years’ experience of supporting trainee and newly qualified teachers as well as those with more experience. Nick is passionate about teaching and learning, running regular topical sessions in this field for Blundell’s staff as a coordinator of the teaching and learning committee.
Jim Moncur, Huish Episcopi Academy
Jim began his teaching career in Manchester in 2001. Since then he has taught in international schools in Thailand, where he coordinated the implementation of the school's GCSE programme, and Bahrain, where he was Head of Year 11. Since returning to the UK he has worked as Head of the Culture and Creativity Faculty at Stanchester Academy and in his current role as Head of Geography at Huish Episcopi. In both settings he has led on a variety of successful strategies and initiatives.
Amy O'Gorman, Holway Park Primary School
Amy has led Early Years at Holway Park Primary School for 5 years, with 10 years of teaching experience in the Early Years. Prior to this Amy taught supply across the primary phase. In her current role at Holway, Amy provides support as an ITT and NQT mentor. She leads workshops focused on engaging parents in understanding key curriculum areas and plans the transition programme from pre-school to school.
Fergal O'Rourke, The Taunton Academy
Fergal has recently been appointed as an SLE within the Alliance. He is currently the Head of Mathematics and IT at The Taunton Academy, where he has been teaching since 2012. His previous roles include Numeracy Coordinator and Head of Year 8, as well as teaching PE and Maths.
Mike Rowley, Uffculme School
Mike has been the Head of Science at Uffculme School since September 2006. He has worked worked across a number of different schools in different contexts as a Head of Physics and leading a large Science department in New Zealand. With this range of experiences he has a clear understanding of outstanding leadership practice in Science and how to maximise the effectiveness of a department.
Martin Thompson, Uffculme School
Martin has worked at Uffculme School since 2012 in a variety of roles, most recently as a Head of Year since 2015. He has also worked as Head of Personal Development (PSHE) and Head of KS4 Religious Studies.During his time at Uffculme Martin has been involved in mentoring and supporting trainee teachers and NQTs, as well as frequently being used as an exemplar for outstanding teaching for visitors to the school. In 2013 Martin led Uffculme's work in becoming one of Stonewall's first 'Schools Champions', recognising and celebrating the school's work on LGTB+ inclusion.