Vicky Shearn
Vicky has been successfully engaged with education for more than 30 years as a teacher, senior leader, local authority adviser and consultant, specialising in the secondary sector.
As a senior leader in schools she was responsible at various times for the development of the curriculum, behaviour management policies and processes, teaching and learning, newly qualified teachers and managing staff teams. All activities were effectively focused on raising achievement and ensuring that young people were fully prepared to move on to further or higher education or into employment. Vicky’s achievements led her to be recruited on 2 occasions as an extra deputy head in schools in special measures.
As a local authority adviser and consultant Vicky has been responsible for ensuring that staff in local schools and colleges have up to date knowledge and understanding of new initiatives and of educational pedagogy. She has also been responsible for developing the 14-19 curriculum offer so that it is suited to the full range of abilities and aptitudes of young people. Vicky has a clear understanding of how analysing data can be used to monitor and evaluate progress and thereby plan appropriately for the future. As part of a team she has undertaken many pre-Ofsted reviews in schools, the youth service and in adult education; co writing appropriate development plans leading to improvement. Most recently she led on the pre-inspection of a new work based learning provider which effectively prepared the provider to take action prior to inspection to address areas of weakness. This provider was later deemed outstanding in the subsequent Ofsted inspection.
Vicky has developed a very good understanding of what is meant by effective practice and how to break down barriers to learning. She strongly believes that rigour and clarity of purpose are vital in education, and that all stakeholders, including young people, should take a high level of responsibility in that process and that it is only then that a first class education will become accessible to all. Vicky is able to mix a strong educational philosophy with a practical, individual approach. Her expertise is valued by individuals she has mentored and the organisations she has supported.