Course Leader Biographies
Linda Atherton
Linda Atherton is Aspect Leader for Leadership, Management and Governance for EDS. Linda has developed an inspirational approach to science which blends an understanding of different learning styles with scientific knowledge. Her multi-sensory approach has been enhanced by the use of drama, art and ICT. She also interweaves subjects such as history and literacy into her work so as to develop an imaginative approach that challenges scientific thinking. Linda is committed to the idea of bringing learning alive. Her groundbreaking work on creative science has been recognised by The Wellcome Trust and the DfES. Linda is an enthusiastic facilitator with experience in the primary and secondary phases, and a wide and varied background of teaching and leading all areas of science in secondary schools. Linda enjoys working closely with teachers and teams to develop their skills and share strategies, methods and materials. She often works alongside pupils to provide situations that stimulate scientific enquiry. She has also coached leaders in schools and is a tutor in the National College for School Leadership 'Leading from the Middle' programme. Linda has an MA in Education Leadership and Management.
lindaatherton@warwickshire.gov.uk
Maggie Booth
Maggie Booth is an Adviser with considerable experience in schools and the local authority. She has recently been involved in a number of major national initiatives. As lead primary strategy adviser for mathematics, Maggie led a team of advisers who worked with schools in Warwickshire to raise standards. Maggie also led on the implementation of the Intensifying Support Programme (ISP) by working closely with colleagues in schools. Maggie's innovative work in the area of mathematics led to a collaboration with the QCA to develop exemplification materials and levelling in maths. Maggie is interested in promoting innovative approaches for engaging learners through interactive and purposeful experiences. Maggie enjoys working with a range of staff in schools to develop their confidence and potential through partnership and Continuing Professional Development. Maggie's approach has been described as 'inspirational' by many who work with her.
maggiebooth@warwickshire.gov.uk
Miles Tandy
Miles Tandy is Aspect Leader for Curriculum and Pedagogy. He is a highly experienced teacher, trainer, coach, workshop-leader, keynote speaker and storyteller. His exceptional skills and deep commitment to his work are combined with a sense of humour and fun, making him highly sought-after in Warwickshire and beyond. His work is noted for its combination of direct application in the classroom with clear, workable theory. Miles is joint designer and coordinator of the Warwickshire Futures leadership programme. He has been a regular keynote speaker, workshop provider and conference coordinator at leadership events locally and nationally. He has also worked as a researcher for the National College for School Leadership. Miles is a regular visiting tutor and researcher at the University of Warwick and an Associate Fellow of the Centre for Cross-Curricular Initiatives at South Bank University . He is also a Learning Advisor for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Learning Resources programme.
milestandy@warwickshire.gov.uk
Jo Howell
Jo Howell is a skilled creative educator and trainer. With extensive practical experience in the primary classroom, Jo is passionate about teaching and learning. As one of the only Advanced Skills Teachers for Creativity and Literacy in the country, Jo collaborated closely with the local authority's Arts Zone to develop effective creative teaching networks across Warwickshire. Jo is committed to supporting schools and classrooms to embed inspirational learning, which is productive and practical. She is especially interested in using drama and film to enhance children's writing skills.
Sue Herdman
Sue Herdman is Assistant Head of the Educational Development Service. Sue's profound interest in learning and in personal development has led to her providing training, advice and support in the areas of Learning to Learn, Thinking Skills, Creative Leadership and Leading and Managing Change. Sue has a lively and personal facilitation style and designs adult learning in ways that engage colleagues for greatest impact. She is deeply committed to developing her own skills and knowledge so that she can offer high quality support and advice to others. She has written three publications for Warwickshire teachers on 'Learning to Learn'. She has co-written and co-facilitated a highly successful 6 day programme for NCSL on Leading with and for Creativity. Her expertise in Thinking Skills has led to her working with a number of Local Authorities throughout the country. She is a visiting lecturer in Thinking Skills at the University of Warwick and an associate trainer for Tribal Education. Sue is in the process of becoming a practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming which, she believes, will enhance her effectiveness as a coach and facilitator. Innovations include working with RSC Learning and the University of Warwick to develop and facilitate programmes in Creative Leadership and Personal Effectiveness for Young People.
sueherdman@warwickshire.gov.uk
Elizabeth Mynott
Elizabeth Mynott is Adviser for Learning to Learn and is an accredited Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming. She is the Coordinator for the Returning to Teaching Programme designed to update the skills and knowledge of qualified teachers re-entering the teaching profession after a career break. Elizabeth is an enthusiastic and dynamic adviser with considerable practical experience in a diverse range of schools. As an Advanced Skills Teacher for Teaching and Learning, Elizabeth had extensive opportunities to support colleagues in developing their practice. Elizabeth is a lateral thinker who uses a coaching approach to empower others to drive self-improvement, self esteem and motivation. She supports effective classroom practice which engenders a creative, inclusive environment that focuses on the needs of individual children. Her recent work with schools includes thinking skills, understanding the neuro-science behind how children learn and positive behaviour management. Her refreshing approach is often described by participants as 'engaging and inspirational'.
elizabethmynott@warwickshire.gov.uk
Nick Cronin
Nick Cronin is Adviser for Humanities. He runs courses, workshops and whole school training sessions for both primary and secondary practitioners in Warwickshire and beyond. Projects have included, 'teaching history through story', 'working outside the classroom', 'using artefacts to promote talk', and 'Rich Geography'. Recently he has co-planned a series of sessions in historic houses that blend multi-sensory approaches from humanities and drama to make primary science a more memorable and enjoyable learning experience. Beyond the curriculum Nick has responsibility for coordinating EDS projects that focus on Continuing Professional Development with the wider school workforce. Middle level leadership is a particular area of expertise. He has been a facilitator on the NCSL 'Leading from the Middle' programme since it began in 2003. Nick has delivered workshops at national events, developed fieldwork programmes in association with the National Trust, and is the author of published materials to support the teaching of history at Key Stages 1 and 2. Nick leads on the EDS Leading Learning Networks.
nickcronin@warwickshire.gov.uk
Mick Waters
Mick Waters role at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is 'to develop a modern, world-class curriculum that will inspire and challenge all learners and prepare them for the future'. He finds it fascinating! Mick believes the curriculum should be treasured and valued and that it needs to be shaped to fit with children's lives. To make the curriculum work, people in schools need to set understandings of their children alongside the learning they should meet to create learning that is irresistible. Previously, Mick was Chief Education Officer for the City of Manchester. In a challenging education environment schools worked hard to break the cycle of urban deprivation, promoting a wide and rich curriculum and encouraging all learners to achieve as much as possible. Key agendas included the development of joint children's services, the 14-19 strategy, the employment and skills dimension and configuring all this around Building Schools for the Future. Before moving to Manchester, Mick worked in Birmingham Local Education Authority. He drove forward a school improvement agenda which saw increasing achievements and increasingly successful schools seeking new horizons in educational development. Previously Mick had experience of headship in two schools and of working in teacher training. He was also part of an Education Development Unit which worked on a contract basis with LEAs and other agencies across the UK and worldwide. The role of Director of Curriculum at QCA enables Mick to work with all partners to develop a world class curriculum that offers all young people the chance to enjoy success at school and in later adult life. This involves exploring what really matters in learning and supporting new developments, linked to the five outcomes for children. Mick believes in being close to teachers, children and schools, and is often to be found in the classroom working with children. He has written books on the curriculum, teaching and learning, and management, as well as making presentations at numerous national and international conferences. He is passionate about the role of education in improving life chances for pupils. He enjoys asking adults to look at learning through the eyes of a pupil.
Dr Joe Winston
Dr Joe Winston has a background in primary and middle school education and was a headteacher for three years before joining the staff at The University of Warwick. He was responsible for co-ordinating the Arts subjects in the BA(QTS) degree and is currently the co-ordinator of the MA in Drama and Theatre Education. He is joint editor of Research in Drama Education, widely recognised as the leading academic journal in its field. Well known nationally and internationally for his in-service work with teachers, he has published a wide range of books and articles both of an academic and professional nature. He has recently delivered key note speeches at the World Congress of Drama in Education held in Austria in March, 2005, and at the launch of National Drama's research project into drama and creativity in October 2005.
Jacqui O’Hanlon
Jacqui - Deputy Director of Learning - originally trained as an actor and has worked extensively in professional theatre. She is Head of Professional Development for the RSC’s Learning Department. She has worked with schools in challenging circumstances creating drama based projects aimed at raising self-esteem in both primary and secondary age students. Jacqui has also facilitated a wide ranging events and workshop programme for the RSC, working alongside the company in rehearsals in order to inform talks, discussions and workshops on all plays in the company repertoire. She is currently developing the RSC Learning Network, a new initiative that offers sustained relationship between schools in the primary and secondary sector and the RSC. She is also developing an MA accreditation programme for teachers attending our INSET courses and teachers involved in the Learning Network.
Mark Sharrott
Mark Sharrott is an adviser who specialises in developing information and communications technology, the role of the primary subject leader, recruitment and retention, coaching and education for sustainable development.
For twenty-three years Mark was a highly successful practitioner in primary schools in this country and abroad. Much of that time was spent leading large year groups at the upper end of the primary phase and in addition to this he has been very active in leading curriculum development in many subject areas including physical education, history, geography, science and ICT . He has always believed very strongly in the rounded education of the child and whilst striving to challenge pupils to achieve the highest standards, access to the wider curriculum was always deemed to be of paramount importance. He has worked as an adviser for the last few years and has been heavily involved in helping schools, teachers and pupils to develop their use of ICT both as a core subject, and as a tool for enriching the learning experience in other curriculum areas. He has also been very active in helping teachers to make the most of their role as a subject leader in the primary school. Further input has been directed towards the opportunities afforded to schools around the important issue of Education for Sustainable Development.