Experience

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  Philharmonia Orchestra

  • London, England, United Kingdom

  • Director of Learning and Engagement

    • Jan 2022 - Present
    • London, England, United Kingdom

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  Humanists UK

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Director of Community Services

    • Apr 2016 - Jan 2022
    • London, United Kingdom

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  Mencap

  • Business Development Manager

    • Oct 2014 - Apr 2016

    The leading national charity that represents the voice of learning disability.Responsibilities• Leads on national product development in the specific areas of early years, education, and health• Strategic responsibility for product development with a seat on two strategic steering groups• Leads a team of project managers and sustainability managers• Has oversight and direct responsibility for high value projects totaling in excess of £2M• Chairs the cross business group, an action-orientated forum for pan-organisational development, requiring excellent influencing skills and the ability to obtain buy-in from multiple stakeholders• Collaborates closely with policy team on formation of policy for early years and education.Achievements• Designed and initiated the national early years products, supporting organisational policy and fundraising for various projects• Written articles for publications including Nasen’s ‘Special’ and the magazine for PACEY• Spoken at various high profile events, including the Westminster Policy Forum, Nasen Conference• Significant involvement in organizing and delivering the Mencap annual conference, with specific responsibility for the panel discussions and high profile speakers.

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  Digital Radish

  • Education Communication Manager

    • Jul 2014 - Oct 2014

    Working in a forward thinking digital marketing company as an education expert. Responsible for shaping and delivering communications strategy to educational establishments.

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  Burlington Danes Academy School (Ark Academies)

  • Director: Performing Arts

    • Jan 2010 - Aug 2014

    One of the most successful academies in the U.K., increasing GCSE results from 50% (2009) to 77% (2013).Responsibilities• Leading a team of 16 professionals: setting the overall strategic direction of the faculty as well as individual workloads, identifying continued professional development needs, as well as mentoring and coaching staff through their careers. • Developing and analysing multiple data sources on staff and student performance in order to deliver better whole school results; ability to reinterpret and present the data in accessible formats.• Initiating and leading performing arts showcase events, including concerts, musicals and large scale charity events.• Leading external stakeholder management, with specific responsibility for Governor teacher communications and the Parent Teacher Association. • Strategic lead for curriculum setting, ensuring that the goals of the faculty align with the broader school and academy network objectives. • Managing a budget of £120,000 per year, ensuring value for money.Achievements• Drove strategic development to increase faculty’s offer from 3 courses to 8. • Took music from a base of 0% A* - C to a high of over 60% and drama from 47% to 75%. Achieved a 100% pass rate for practical exams. • Diversified the type of courses offered to students and more than doubled the number. • Grew the Parent Teacher Association from inception to over 60 members in less than one year; initiated a parents’ forum for the benefit of both the school and parents.• Introduced yearly West End quality musicals, delivered over multiple nights, as well as highly successful winter and summer concerts.• Forged strong links with the wider academy system, leading to the faculty’s involvement in the logistical delivery of network events and the annual ARK gala at the Barbican.

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  Friern Barnet School

  • Deputy Director Performing Arts

    • Jan 2008 - Dec 2009

    Responsibilities• Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams across the arts faculty, with a focus on raising exam results and developing whole school showcase events, such as prize giving.• Management of 14 staff, ensuring the consistent achievement of key outcomes.• Introduced and managed an arts based Saturday School.Achievements• Increased results across the faculty by an average of 10%, ensuring standards met the national average despite the challenging environment. • Produced and directed the first musical in the school’s history; now embedded. • Increased the quality of production and audience experience for whole school events.• Pioneered the establishment of a highly successful Saturday School, which had a membership of over 60 young people

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  Highgate Wood School

  • Head of Music

    • Sep 2003 - Jan 2008

    Responsibilities• Led a team of 12 staff, with responsibility for A-level and GCSE music. • Musical director for all school musicals and concerts.Achievements• Employed as Music Teacher but quickly promoted to Head of Music• Introduced performance criteria that resulted in grades exceeding 90%. • Negotiated sole responsibility for A-level music from a consortium of schools, providing greater autonomy and dedicated funding.