1. CHERYL STEELE
A forward-thinking, innovative and highly engaging Deputy Headteacher with proven experience in
leading teams, strategic plans and quality standards to maximise the potential of young people in
diverse specialist education.
First Class BA Honours Primary Education (Science & Art)
Experienced Deputy Headteacher (Special Needs Education)
Email: cheryl.swain10@ntlworld.com Mobile: 07811 104835
Professional Achievements & Key Strengths
Leadership: A Deputy Headteacher who makes a real difference with resilience and rises to challenges in
complex learning environments by defining strategic plans, developing innovative approaches, implementing
frameworks, optimising resources and achieving high quality outcomes.
Driving Change: Understanding future educational needs and creating a clear vision in terms of adapting
strategies to carefully manage budgets and deliver training initiatives for motivating and supporting staff.
Partnership Engagement: Influencing and negotiating opportunities and developing stronger partnerships to
facilitate better 'joined-up thinking' - i.e. working closely with local and national businesses to create job
opportunities for young people.
Exemplary Standards: A proven track record of improving OFSTED standards in teaching and leadership
positions by understanding requirements and expectations for delivering high quality provision.
Career Achievements
Deputy Headteacher – Rosehill School (Nottingham City Council) September 2013 – PRESENT
Specialist Maintained School for Learners with Autism (Ages 4-19)
Leadership: Led and further developed outstanding practice in all areas across the school and against inspection
criteria. Maintaining sound communication and positive working relationships with the Senior Leadership Team
and whole school community has developed the Quality of Teaching and Learning, strengthened the curriculum
and ensured better outcomes under tight budget constraints (130 staff; 100 pupils; £2.6million budget).
Strategic Agenda: Successful deputised leadership of the school ensuring the quality of education remains
outstanding across all areas and school development objectives are monitored regularly by key team members.
Successful recruitment, selection and recruitment of teaching staff. Promoting the school ethos and ensuring
excellent relationships and leadership of Safeguarding accountability systems. Relentlessly encouraging ground-
breaking developments in the curriculum by pioneering new initiatives.
Management Skills: Development and implementation of effective new systems to ensure efficiency of
operations across key inspection areas. Developing staff expertise and generating sustainable training
opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of the quality of teaching and learning. Developed
independent research and delivered specialist training within and beyond the school (e.g. Autism, Safeguarding).
Teaching & Learning: A clearly defined approach to curriculum development (4-19) and pupil outcomes have
attracted significant interest of large businesses and National organisations (employment).
Other Achievements: Developing improvement planning strategies that are in line with evolving national policy
(School Inspection, SEND reforms and Autism Strategy) that have shaped the future of educational provision and
maximised the best possible outcomes for young people.
Acting Interim Headteacher - Rosehill School (Nottingham City Council) January 2015 – April 2015
Specialist Maintained School for Learners with Autism (Ages 4-19)
Leadership & Direction: During a short period of time, made a real difference by providing essential leadership
to strengthen capabilities in key areas and manage performance. Led a visionary work related learning
programme for finding Post-16 pupils with severe learning difficulties work placement opportunities (grew from
0% to 25% with plans to get 75% of 18-19 olds placements).
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2. Educational Health/ Care and Person Centred Plans: Headed initiatives to promote 'joined-up' thinking and to
help maximise potential and find internship and employment roles.
OFSTED Frameworks & Safeguarding: Led the introduction of new national and local plans, focusing on the
quality of teaching, learning and wellbeing of pupils by conducting audits and putting in place required policies,
procedures and controls.
Acting Head/ Post-14 Dept. Head - Rosehill School (Nottingham City Council) September 2012
– September 2013 Specialist Maintained School for Learners with Autism (Ages 4-19)
Senior Leadership: Provided line management for Lead Staff and Post-14 Education Teams - included
establishing the Post-14 Education Department (new build) to expand core provision, increasing the number of
accredited courses and establishing links with key partners, achieving ‘outstanding’ inspection March 2013.
Personalised Programmes: Led the introduction of individual student plans with the purpose of giving older
pupils more choice and control through greater education curriculum, work placement, personal development
and training opportunities.
Teaching Achievements
Class Teacher - Rosehill School (Nottingham City Council) September 2003 – September 2012
Specialist Maintained School for Learners with Autism (Ages 4-19)
Education, Professional and Vocational Training
University Education
1999 - 2003: BA Honours Primary Education (First-Class Honours) – Nottingham Trent University
Science and Art (Specialism); Research into Creative and Scientific Approaches
Professional Training
2014 - 2016: National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (Pass) - National College for Teaching
and Learning. Essential & Elective Modules: Closing the Gap, Succeeding in Senior Leadership, Effective Whole
School Management and School Self-Evaluation
2010 – 2011: Leading from the Middle (Pass) - National College for Teaching and Learning
2009 – 2010: Accredited National PSHE CPD Programme (Pass) - Roehampton University
2003 – 2004: Certificate in Understanding Autism (Pass) - National Open College Network
1998 – 1999: Certificate in Pre-School Alliance (Pass) – Nottingham College
Current Professional Development & Training (2015 – 2016)
• Assessment and Accreditation: Special Schools Professional Learning Community (Presenting to
National SEN Leaders of Education)
• Autism Education Trust - Progression Framework / School Curriculum
• Reading Moderation, Reading Interventions and Sensory Approaches (Leading Autism Schools
Network)
• Preventing Bullying Level 2, Prevent Duty (Nottinghamshire Police) & FGM (Home Office)
• Designated Safeguarding Lead Trained Trainer, Safer Recruitment & Data Protection
• Team Teach Training
• Developing School Based Health Checks
• Person Centred Planning Facilitator
• Neuro Diversity Project Development (BBC) & Life Without Levels (National SEN Think-Tank)
• Thinking, Feeling and Mood Management: Reducing risk, restraint and restriction (Bernard Allen)
• B Squared - Assessment Across the Curriculum
Additional Information
Professional Membership: Non-Executive Directors Online Network (Teaching and Education Division)
Professional Membership: The Consultant Hub
Microsoft Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Other: Full clean UK Driving Licence
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