Meet the Hub Team

Katie Dallender

Strategic Director of Teacher Training and Development

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I have been a teacher for over 15 years, teaching Religious Studies and leading a department. As a secondary school senior leader, I led staff development and CPD. I have facilitated both the ECF and NPQs, and supported early career teachers through mentoring and Appropriate Body Quality Assurance for a number of years.

I work across the Cranmer Education Trust and the partnership of schools to lead; support and quality assure all aspects of Continued Professional Development provided by the Teaching School Hub. I am passionate about ensuring teachers and leaders have access to evidence informed professional development that improves the quality of education, and life chances, for young people.

Chris Webb

Deputy Director of Teacher Training and Development

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Jo Conway

Appropriate Body Director

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My main role is to support all of our schools to ensure our Early Career Teachers receive their statutory entitlements.

Prior to January 2022, I had been a Headteacher in Oldham for nearly twenty years. I have experience of working across schools in Oldham and Greater Manchester as a specialist Leader in Education. One of my core principles is to always give back to the profession.

I have done this throughout my career. As a Specialist Leader in Education I have support Leaders at all levels across various schools in Greater Manchester.

I have worked with Aspirant Leaders and Mentored new Headteachers.

By supporting others at all levels whether they be at the start of their career or experienced leaders I gain as much myself from the experience as I believe I give to those I’m supporting.

I have facilitated training for Newly qualified Teachers and acted as an Induction Tutor and mentor for over 15 years. During this time, I have worked alongside Teachers and their mentors to help support them through the NQT process. I also have experience of working with ITT students and those as part of the School Direct programme and Teach First.

Ruth Simpson

ITT and ECF Lead

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All young people deserve the best education available, and I firmly believe that high quality teaching is central to achieving excellent results for all. I am passionate about high quality teaching and learning and know that collaboration and continuous CPD belongs at the heart of teacher development at all stages. As teachers, we are the best resource available and it our knowledge and expertise as well as our commitment to the futures of all young people that matters most.

During my career, as well as being an English teacher at all key stages, I have been both a Head of Year and a Head of Department, and most recently 2i/c in English helping to manage a core department as well as strategically improving outcomes at all key stages. I have extensive experience in mentoring trainee teachers and ECTs and have delivered the ITE curriculum for English for the last five years. I am committed to building supportive and collaborative relationships to help all teachers grow, develop and build confidence in becoming the best classroom practitioner possible to ensure excellent outcomes for all young people.