Catherine came to the service with thirty years of unbroken service in primary schools in a range of circumstances and localities, including disadvantaged communities.

She has seventeen years of experience in headship and provided school to school support within her local authority and further afield in her previous post. She lectured on the initial teacher training programme at Durham University and ran training in partnership with her local authority. She has an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education and a Masters Degree in Teaching and Learning.

Her particular interests include vision and curriculum design, children’s literature, learning environments and all things early years. She works closely with colleagues in the Education North Tyneside Team, including Governor Services, to provide a range of opportunities to develop school leadership at all levels. These include training opportunities, special projects and support networks for those new to headship and for more experienced headteachers.

She also supports senior leaders through the school development partner programme and teaches on the North Tyneside SCITT programme.