Meet the Hub Team
Katie Dallender
Director of Partnerships and Teaching School Hub
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.
Ruth Simpson
Deputy Director of East Manchester Teaching School Hub
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.
Jo Conway
Appropriate Body Director
I am currently the Interim Director of the East Manchester Appropriate Body. 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 supported 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.
Louise Astbury
National Professional Qualification Delivery Lead
I am delighted to be working as a partner with East Manchester Teaching School Hub to co-ordinate and deliver the NPQ programmes. I have worked alongside colleagues from the hub for many years and our work represents a true partnership. My current roles as Director of Professional Development for The Pinnacle Learning Trust and Director of Pinnacle Learning Research School take me into all educational phases to work with teachers and leaders on developing their practice. I am passionate about using evidence-based approaches to support professional growth opportunities for school leaders.
Rebekah Robinson
Projects & Relationships Manager
I’m the Projects & Relationships Manager for East Manchester Teaching School Hub, responsible for building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, ensuring stand-out customer service and the smooth running of operations. Having spent the majority of my career in sales before moving to education, I’m committed to partnership and loyalty. Using a personalised, dependable and responsive approach to connect with Headteachers/ schools to support them with the Early Career Framework, Appropriate Body service, NPQ and CPD services.
Debbie Devlin
Operations Coordinator
Rachel Dean
Administration Assistant
I am one of the Teaching School Hub Administration Assistants responsible for providing administrative support to the Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Profession Qualification (NPQ) programmes. Communicating effectively with participants and partners alike, whilst providing admin support for the Teaching School Hub Leadership Team.
After attending university and completing a teaching degree, I have gained over 8 years education and sales experience across a wide variety of industries and schools.
Kate Jones
Finance Officer
East Manchester Teaching School Hub is proud to be part of the Cranmer Education Trust
Cranmer Education Trust is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. Company registration number: 07687709. Registered Office: Cranmer Education Trust, c/o The Blue Coat School, Egerton Street, Oldham OL1 3SQ