Our Team

As Centre Principal, my role is to ‘steer the ship’, ensuring that the college’s mission - ‘to transform lives through learning’ is realised and not just a set of words! In order to do this, I regard it to be my job to create a learning environment that is safe, inclusive, vibrant, ambitious and brimming with opportunity so that all our students can thrive and succeed.

I am passionate about sixth-form education and have spent my entire career working with young people aged 16-19 and adult students. Whatever role I have been in - whether that be teacher, pastoral tutor, head of department, senior leader or Centre Principal - my ethics, drive and desire have been the same; I want to do the best job I can for those I am responsible for. As Centre Principal, that is all members of the ASFC community; staff and students. As such, I want ASFC to be a place where everyone feels valued and inspired to achieve their best.

My greatest sense of achievement comes each year when I see the impressive range of destinations our students progress into, whether this be Higher Education, degree apprenticeships or high-quality employment opportunities. I bubble with pride when former students return to us, as Alumni, and speak of the role ASFC has played in their success.

Away from work, I enjoy both professional and amateur theatre (I have been known to dabble a little in ‘Am-dram’ in my time!) and am kept busy by my cricketing son, my dancing daughter and our gorgeous and very energetic dog, Bob.

In my role as Vice Principal: Curriculum and Planning, I line manage the work of the MIS department and Exams departments, working very closely with our MIS Manager and our Exams Manager. I also line manage the Assistant Principal: Higher and Adult Education & Practitioner Research Lead and the Director of Curriculum and Progression, working with them as they lead their areas. I have overall responsibility for the college timetable, and consequently oversee the recruitment and retention of teaching staff based on projected numbers on courses. I am responsible for ensuring there is a fair allocation of accommodation and resources based on departmental numbers and specific course needs, working closely with Heads of Departments, discussing their requirements, requests and strategic plans for their areas. I lead on the Calendar planning for the year and a number of other cross college areas. I also have an eye on the shared spaces across the college site, working closely with the Head of Estates and his team, to make sure the environment is the best it can be for all students and staff.

I have worked in an 11-16 school where I taught Drama as my main subject, and some English and Sport and was Head of Year. I have been at Ashton for 14 years, teaching Drama and have been on the SLT for the past 12 years.

Out of work I love spending time with my family, cooking, listening to and seeing live music, film and theatre, and the torture of holding a season ticket at Aston Villa FC.

As Vice Principal Achievement and Quality, I take a strategic lead on teaching, learning and assessment as well as quality assurance and quality improvement within the sixth form. I oversee the performance management processes in the college and lead on continuous professional development. I have strategic responsibility for safeguarding and lead on the college's positive mental health and wellbeing agenda as well as working closely with colleagues responsible for student services. Moreover, I chair a number of cross-college groups including Quality Group, Support Managers Meeting and Staff Wellbeing Group, as well as deputising for the Centre Principal, as and when required.

I have been at ASFC now for 8 years, having previously held the position of Assistant Principal of Student Services here. Since I commenced teaching, I have always worked in post-16 education, having held a variety of posts across the sector in both sixth forms and general further education colleges.

In my spare time I love cooking and consuming what I create, and for that reason, I also enjoy swimming at least three times a week and walking our pet dog around the Ribble Valley, where I live.

As Assistant Principal for Higher and Adult Education and Practitioner Research, my core role is leading the college’s post-19 provision. This involves leading the marketing, admissions and support for post-19 as well as the curriculum, staffing and student experience. I am really proud that we are able to make a contribution to the skills needs of adults in Tameside and neighbouring boroughs with our programmes in health, education, care, and teacher training as well as GCSE evening classes for adults. I also have a number of sixth-form departments in my remit such as Art and English and enjoy working with colleagues in those areas. I work closely with the other Assistant Principal and members of the teaching and learning team on teacher professional development, ranging from support for early career teachers to cross-college professional development for all teachers.

I have worked at the college since 1997 and joined the senior leadership team in 2008. I have held a variety of roles and responsibilities over the years.

I am an eternal student myself. I hold a MA in Education, an MA certificate in Advanced Pedagogy and I am part way through a PhD which focuses on effective teacher development. In my spare time, I run research community events for other teachers engaged in research and an education podcast. I enjoy getting out into the hillsides with my dog and running his social media account! I live on a small holding which means I can also be found looking after my flock of sheep.

As Assistant Principal Learning and Achievement, I take the lead on teaching, learning and assessment across the college. I work closely on teacher CPD along with my colleague and Assistant Principal (Research lead) and closely with the Vice Principal (Achievement and Quality) on quality assurance and quality improvement. I line manage five curriculum / faculty areas as well as three non-curriculum teams and chair the teaching and learning team. I lead on T Levels and their implementation across college and teach on the A Level Politics course.

I have been at ASFC now for 22 years, having previously held the position of Head of Department and teacher from 2001. Since I started teaching, I have always worked in post-16 education apart from a brief spell as a supply teacher in secondary teaching when I first moved to the North West.

In my spare time I have a love of athletics and I am a keen runner. I am also a fully qualified coach in endurance running, Pole vault and Triple Jump and coach at my local club Leigh Harriers. I love cooking and walking (not at the same time) and spending time with my family.

As Director of Curriculum and progression, I have a passion for quality in education and oversee the subject areas of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computer Science, Maths, Sport and Public Services.

Alongside this my focus is on progression, overseeing The XL Academy and the Careers and Employability department. In particular, I want to drive the development of employability skills in students through being exposed to the world of work and employer encounters. I love to work with employers both locally and nationally in my quest for opportunities.

I joined ASFC in 2011 in the Business Department managing Business, Economics and Accounting. Prior to this, I have taught in secondary schools as well as managing employability in the Faculty of Business and Law at Liverpool John Moores University. I'm most proud of achieving an Executive MBA part-time whilst working full-time. In my spare time, I love to cook, keep fit and spend time with my family.

I have worked at Ashton Sixth Form College for 18 years, I first started out as a Public Services and Sport teacher and eventually moved on to become the Head of this department.

I am now the Director of Engagement and Achievement and I see my role as one that is key to a number of priorities at the college, particularly in the retention of students. I have cross-college responsibility for the student experience via enrichment and other enhancements. Alongside the Enrichment and Opportunities Officer, I wish to drive both student and staff enrichment feeding into the college's health and well-being strategy.

In addition to this, I also line manage a number of curriculum, pastoral and support areas in the college. I have overall management responsibility for the 3 Senior Tutor Managegrs and oversight of the tutorial system and associated themes, Inclusive Learning Manager and the outcomes of students with SEND needs, Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator, Business, Accounting and Economics and DTM. I am also a DSL and a member of the college’s Safeguarding Team. In my spare time I like to go on adventures in my campervan with my dogs Dolly and Jessy.