Barbara Roberts

My breadth of experience began as a primary teacher in 1973, but includes 2 years secondary teaching experience in modern languages. A secondment as advisory teacher for ICT across Northumberland schools followed management responsibilities at subject and phase leadership levels. I have led and managed two contrasting Church of England voluntary aided primary schools during the past 12 years as Headteacher.

I successfully completed training as an Ofsted Inspector with Westminster Education in November 2002, followed by recent retraining under the new section 5 framework requirements with Focus Education / Nord Anglia in September 2005. Commitment to Headship duties restricted my inspection practice but the experience was an invaluable asset improving my ability to be accurate within the evaluative and monitoring duties required by a successful Headteacher.

I have always wished to maintain an up to date understanding of emerging pedagogical trends and proven good practice in leadership and management. Hence I have completed a regular range of further in-service study and experience throughout my career. A thirst for knowledge, combined with the opportunity to network with colleagues and engage in professional dialogue has been the main trigger for these actions.

The desire to build upon my initial teaching qualifications began with an In-Service B. Ed. gained in 1978. This eventually led to the completion of an M.Ed degree (Special Educational Needs focus) in 1998. I found great stimulation from experiencing the reading and research while engaged in day-to-day educational practice.

As a practising leader and manager I found a range of nationally accredited courses to be similarly stimulating. My participation on the programme for Long Serving Headteachers through the National College for School Leaders in Nottingham, recommended further the experiences of training as a Consultant Leader and External Adviser for governors in Headteacher appraisal. I am currently pursuing School Improvement Partner training through the National College of School Leaders which concentrates on mentoring Headteachers and Governors on areas of school improvement.

I subsequently joined the Northern Regional Leadership Centre Strategy Board as a small schools and faith schools Headteacher-representative, where I remained until it disbanded at the end of 2005. The networking and experience of local and educational strategic planning provided further useful and interesting experiences.

Since resigning from my second Headship I have become self-employed by setting up an educational consultancy.

Recent Tasks and Projects

  • Independent provision of advice to managers in schools,
  • Promoting, supporting implementation in schools and further developing the cross-curricular assessment function of a commercial ICT software package,
  • Associative lecturing in curricular maths, science and SEN (university PGCE course)
  • Associative lecturing (FE College) BTEC / HNC in Advance Practice in Work with Children and Families - Leadership and Management Strands)

Within all these roles I continue to seek challenge and the opportunity to learn. I always appreciate opportunities to work with people - educationalists, teachers and trainees, pupils, parents, governors and inspectors. I would now hope to use this depth of experience to promote education even further and I am continually open to meet all future challenges. Many of my skills, knowledge and experiences are generic and I have a proven capacity to adapt to new circumstances.