CLAUDIA LOPEZ-PRIETO
Summary
Bilingual education leader with 20+ years of experience in primary, secondary, and community settings. Proven track record in leading borough-wide initiatives that improve outcomes for multilingual learners and vulnerable students. Expertise in strategic leadership, multi-agency collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on staff development and team building. Committed to educational equity and social justice, leveraging fluency in Spanish and English to enhance practice.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work history
Borough EAL Lead
Lambeth EAL Network
London
2024.09 - Current
- Coordinate borough-wide network of EAL leads across 71 schools, working with stakeholders across education and external services to improve provision for multilingual learners. Lead CPD on inclusive pedagogy, implement shared data strategies, and support evidence-based improvement across schools. Represent EAL practice in borough forums, influencing policy and resource decisions. Collaborate with external partners to strengthen support for mental health and wellbeing of EAL and migrant families.
Safeguarding Officer
Saint Gabriel’s College
London
2022.10 - Current
- Act as first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, leading multi-agency meetings and child protection planning. Deliver staff safeguarding training and improve reporting systems to strengthen response times. Provide targeted support for vulnerable, marginalised, and refugee students, embedding trauma-informed and culturally responsive safeguarding practice.
Head of Year 7 & Transition Lead
Saint Gabriel’s College
London
2022.09 - Current
- Lead pastoral and academic provision for Year 7, overseeing attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, and academic progress. Designed and delivered Year 6 transition programme, strengthening student confidence and family engagement through structured induction and parent engagement events. Collaborate with external services to support vulnerable learners. Embed wellbeing and mental health across all pastoral systems.
Private Tutor
Self-employed
London
2020.01 - Current
- Provide tailored English language tuition for adults preparing for A1 GESE and IELTS Life Skills examinations. Deliver highly personalised lessons using visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic approaches to meet diverse learner needs. Focus on functional English for everyday communication, employment, and social integration, supporting learners to build confidence, independence, and progression opportunities.
EAL Specialist Teacher
Saint Gabriel’s College
London
2015.09 - Current
- Designed and led KS3/KS4 EAL curriculum and whole-school EAL strategy aligned with national standards and Ofsted expectations. Delivered CPD on inclusive pedagogy and supported family engagement through structured workshops and communication strategies. Organised and supported ESOL provision for parents, improving access to language learning, confidence, and engagement with children’s education. Worked with SEND and pastoral teams to coordinate interventions and improve outcomes. Supported all EAL Year 11 students into post-16 placements. Promoted wellbeing as a core element of EAL provision.
Senior Leadership Team Member
Saint Gabriel’s College
London
2024.02 - 2025.12
- Contributed to whole-school strategic leadership and Ofsted inspection processes. Led EAL strategy development, authored whole-school EAL policy, and embedded inclusive practice into curriculum and school development planning. Delivered whole-staff CPD on unconscious bias and anti-racist practice, strengthening inclusive culture across the school.
Skills
- Strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement
- Safeguarding and pastoral leadership
- EAL curriculum development
- Community advocacy and engagement
- Family and cultural involvement
- Program and project management
- Coaching and staff development
- Wellbeing and mental health support
- Equity progression and aspirations
VOLUNTEERING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Citizens UK / Lambeth Citizens, 2015, Present, Active member involved in community organising, social justice campaigns, and civic engagement initiatives supporting education, migration, and youth voice.
- Citizens UK Leadership Team, London, Contributor to cross-community leadership initiatives, supporting collaboration between schools, families, and civic organisations.
- CLAUK (Supporter), 2026-02, Present, Supporting migrant rights advocacy and recognition campaigns, amplifying community voices and contributing to public awareness and equity initiatives.
- IMISCOE Conference – Migration Research Network, Regular participant engaging with research and policy discussions on migration, inclusion, and integration.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
- ESOL Teacher – Community Adult Learning (2014–2015) - Delivered ESOL provision for adults, improving language confidence, employment skills, and family engagement in education.
- EAL Assistant / Teacher – Davidson Primary School (2008–2015) - Supported multilingual learners across EYFS and KS2. Delivered targeted language support and strengthened home–school communication with migrant families.
- Early Years Assistant – Regina Coeli Primary School (2007–2008) - Supported early language development, phonics, and inclusion for EAL learners in early years settings.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- TEDx Speaker – Empowering students through cultural connection
- Finalist – Lambeth Civic Awards (2025 & 2026)
- UN Women Participant (2024–2026)
- Awarded recognition for work supporting mental health and migrant students
- Contributor to Latin American education recognition and advocacy initiatives
- Designed “Language Café Curriculum” for community language learning project
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
- IAA LEVEL 1 - (September 2026)
- Introduction to UK immigration law and becoming an immigration adviser
- Chartered College of Teaching MCCT
- Level 7 - Education Management and Leadership
- Level 6 - Teaching and Learning
- FAA Level 3 Award in principles of safeguarding and protecting children, young people or vulnerable adults
- Level 5 Diploma in Education & Training
- Senior mental health lead training
- FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF)
- UCL Institute of Education NPQML
- University of Houston:The Bilingual Brain
- CELTA
- Bachelor’s Degree Ethnic Minority Achievement Specialist
- Level 3 Teaching Assistant John Ruskin College:
- A-Level Spanish
- GCSEs (Incl. English & Maths)
Timeline
Borough EAL Lead
Lambeth EAL Network
2024.09 - Current
Senior Leadership Team Member
Saint Gabriel’s College
2024.02 - 2025.12
Safeguarding Officer
Saint Gabriel’s College
2022.10 - Current
Head of Year 7 & Transition Lead
Saint Gabriel’s College
2022.09 - Current
Private Tutor
Self-employed
2020.01 - Current
EAL Specialist Teacher
Saint Gabriel’s College
2015.09 - Current