I am an experienced teacher and Faculty leader, with positive experiences in three different schools.  I am a highly organised solutions-focussed leader with excellent communication and influencing skills. I can be relied upon to deliver results in challenging projects. I am passionate about developing others and am an experienced trainer, coach and mentor.

Teaching Experience

September 08 – present      MFL Faculty Leader

Westfield Community College

Watford, Herts.

Current Faculty projects:

• Redeveloping Faculty structures and processes, eg. assessment procedures, schemes of work, resource sharing
• Reviewing Key Stage 4 qualifications for Languages
• Creating new planning systems for high quality personalised learning

September 06 – July 08      Head of Languages

City of Ely Community College, Cambridgeshire

Faculty Experience:

• Responsible for a team of 4 other teachers and 2 language assistants
• Strong focus on improving standards of teaching and learning (we moved from satisfactory to good with outstanding features in 2 years)
• Mentoring NQT and student teachers
• Experience of complex HR issues
• Leading significant projects on improving homework, engagement in Languages and boosting uptake at KS4 (100% increase in French in 2 years)
• Leading successful departmental improvement in teachers’ use of ICT

Whole school experience:

• Leading Edge Co-ordinator
• Responsible for leading a full Key Stage 3 review and planning a pilot for improving attainment.
• Leading work in school on progress monitoring systems at departmental level
• Responsible for review and update of school marking policy 06-07
• Leading HODs meetings and Middle Management training sessions

September 04 – July 06        Teacher of French

Northgate High School, Suffolk

• Teacher of French at KS3, 4 and 5. Form tutor
• Involved in delivery of the Suffolk Gifted and Talented Linguists project
• Led on Assessment for Learning in the department, including providing resources and CPD.

Education

Professional Qualifications

• Leadership Pathways (NCSL) completed October 2007
• Leading from the Middle (NCSL) completed July 2006
• INLPTA Diploma in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Evolution Training, completed 2005
• Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (UCLES), ILC Paris completed 2002

Professional Development
I have an extensive professional development record including learning with SSAT, RATL, Fast Track and Leading Edge. I have been trained as a professional development trainer by Alite and have provided training sessions for Fast Track, Cambridge Assessment and school INSET.

Non-Teaching Experience

Personal Interests
I enjoy singing, cooking for friends and family, cinema and travel. I am an IT enthusiast and enjoy sharing good practice, resources and Web2.0 tools with my global learning network of teachers and educational technologists. I run my own blog at mrslwalker.com and write for several other publications.