Joanne Andrews
Winterbourne Bassett,Wiltshire
Summary
A highly skilled education professional with extensive expertise in curriculum development, safeguarding policies, and school improvement planning. Demonstrates advanced proficiency in educational policy understanding, strategic visioning, and inclusive education knowledge to drive impactful school development strategies. Adept at staff management, recruitment, and motivation while fostering collaborative networking and building a positive school culture. Possesses strong leadership capabilities alongside resilience under pressure and crisis handling experience. Committed to enhancing child development through innovative teaching methods and adherence to Ofsted standards.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
31
31
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Headteacher
Blue Kite Academy Trust
Swindon, Wiltshire
01.2024 - 12.2025
- Oversaw teaching and wellbeing of 370 students.
- Encouraged parental involvement in school functions, strengthening community ties.
- Developed a culture of continuous learning for staff development.
- Organised teacher training workshops to improve teaching methodologies.
- Established high expectations for staff, fostering a professional teaching environment.
- Devised strategic plans that resulted in improved student achievement levels.
- Reviewed and updated school policies to maintain compliance with education regulations.
- Managed school budget efficiently, ensuring optimal use of resources.
- Created a safe learning environment, prioritising student safety and comfort.
- Fostered positive relationships with parents through regular communication and meetings.
- Implemented new curriculum guidelines for better academic performance.
Headteacher
Pembrokeshire County Council
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
09.2018 - 08.2023
- Maintained programme operating within budget levels, maximising resource utilisation whilst minimising costs.
- Analysed programme trends to identify areas of improvement and recommended corrective actions.
- Recruited and hired qualified staff to build successful education team.
- Oversaw facilities and grounds maintenance, balancing budget and schedules against professional expectations and safety.
- Strengthened community engagement strategies to boost programme outreach.
- Enforced fair and equitable disciplinary code to protect students and staff.
- Accommodated additional 25 students with high level Special Educational Needs (SEN) in a Learning Resource Centre and ensured full integration into school life.
- Oversaw teaching and wellbeing of 420 students - this included Nursery classes. Additionally to this, was responsible for Flying Start Centre for 2 year olds.
- Implemented new curriculum for better academic performance.
- Led school-wide initiatives, promoting inclusive and diverse learning environment.
- Coordinated successful school events, enhancing student engagement and participation.
Headteacher
Hampshire County Council
Saint Mary Bourne, Hampshire
02.2017 - 08.2018
- Developed a culture of continuous learning for staff development.
- Collaborated with local community organisations for student enrichment programmes.
- Encouraged parental involvement in school functions, strengthening community ties.
- Fostered positive relationships with parents through regular communication and meetings.
- Reviewed and updated school policies to maintain compliance with education regulations.
- Managed school budget efficiently, ensuring optimal use of resources.
- Oversaw teaching and wellbeing of 210 students.
- Modernised instructional plans and educational approaches to enhance student learning.
Headteacher
Wellington College Academy Trust
Tidworth, Wiltshire
04.2014 - 08.2016
- Planned for and opened a brand new 2 form entry primary and nursery school.
- Recruited and hired qualified staff to build successful education team.
- Oversaw facilities and grounds maintenance, balancing budget and schedules against professional expectations and safety.
- Elevated school profile to bring in better staff, students and partnerships.
- Worked with military and civilian boards to improve partnerships.
- Led and motivated teaching and support staff to continuously improve knowledge and abilities for optimum student education and support.
- Determined and implemented a skills based curriculum, ensuring adequate resources were consistently readily available to students and teachers.
- Developed a culture of continuous learning for staff development.
- Linked with other schools within the Trust.
- Encouraged parental involvement in school functions, strengthening community ties.
- Promoted student wellbeing by introducing mental health support services in the school, including play therapist.
- Increased staff morale through recognition programs and positive feedback sessions.
- Devised strategic plans that resulted in improved student achievement levels.
- Created a safe learning environment, prioritising student safety and comfort.
Headteacher
Wiltshire Council
Durrington, Wiltshire
09.2004 - 03.2014
- Spearheaded community fundraisers and cultivated partnerships to increase revenue - including through grant funding.
- Modernised instructional plans and educational approaches to enhance student learning.
- Kept institution financially sound by tracking expenses and maintaining detailed records.
- Oversaw facilities and grounds maintenance, balancing budget and schedules against professional expectations and safety.
- Improved school Ofsted rating from Satisfactory to Good through inspiring leadership and innovative outdoor learning curriculum implementation.
- Achieved an Outstanding SIAMs inspection.
- Determined and implemented Forest School curriculum and guidelines, ensuring adequate resources and safety consistently for students and teachers.
- Aided improvements in Key Stage One results through motivational leadership.
- Aided educational and emotional development in students by creating positive learning environments through developing Nurture provision.
- Built outstanding relationships with staff, student and parents.
- Oversaw teaching and wellbeing of 180 students.
Education
NPQH - Education
National College for School Leadership
National 09.2001 - 12.2003
Bachelor of Education - Primary Education
Nene College
University of Leicester 09.1991 - 07.1995
BTEC - Forest School Leadership
Bridgwater College
Bridgwater, Somerset 01.2012 - 06.2012
A-Levels - Drama
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1989 - 07.1991
A-Levels - English Literature
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1989 - 07.1991
A-Levels - Sociology
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1989 - 07.1991
GCSEs - Maths
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1984 - 07.1989
GCSEs - English Literature
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1984 - 07.1989
GCSEs - English Language
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1984 - 07.1989
GCSEs - Science
Upper Avon School
Durrington, Wiltshire 09.1984 - 07.1989
Skills
- Educational policy understanding
- Experience with inspection procedures
- Interpersonal communication
- Assessment coordination
- Time-Table creation
- Financial budgeting
- Inclusive education knowledge
- Parent-Teacher liaison
- Safeguarding regulations knowledge
- Advanced organising
- Teaching excellence
- Resilience and perseverance
- Special educational needs awareness
- Experience with behavioural policies
- Collaborative networking
- School culture building
- Educational planning
- Knowledge of ofsted standards
- Strategic visioning
- School policy development
- School development strategies
- Staff motivation
- Staff management
- Crisis handling
- Child development knowledge
- Improvement planning
- Curriculum Development
- Recruitment and hiring
- SEN expertise
- Leadership expertise
- Project management experience
- Classroom management
- Online teaching platforms
- Staff recruitment
- Report-writing
- CPR training
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Data analysis tools
- School improvement planning
- Resilience under pressure
- Education policy legislation
- Safeguarding policies knowledge
Affiliations
- Reading
- Exercise
- Travel
- Meeting friends
Languages
British Sign Language
Beginner
Welsh
Beginner
Accomplishments
With over 20 years Headship experience in 5 different schools I have achieved a lot in the field of education.
In my 2nd Headship I opened a brand new school. This experience from the planning stage, right up until school opening gave me a unique insight into different aspects of education - not just regarding the children, staff and curriculum.
Whilst a Headteacher in Wales during the pandemic, my Learning Resource Base children began working with a Pet Therapy charity - the first of its kind in Wales. The curriculum I planned for these children was unique to their additional needs and very focused on skills for life. The charity work these children did, along with the Charity Founders, won a National Award and made it onto This Morning tv!
During my teaching career I was a Cascade Tutor for the new Foundation Stage and EYFS introduction. I led training for child minders, nursery staff and early years teachers across Hampshire.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Headteacher
Blue Kite Academy Trust
01.2024 - 12.2025
Headteacher
Pembrokeshire County Council
09.2018 - 08.2023
Headteacher
Hampshire County Council
02.2017 - 08.2018
Headteacher
Wellington College Academy Trust
04.2014 - 08.2016
BTEC - Forest School Leadership
Bridgwater College
01.2012 - 06.2012
Headteacher
Wiltshire Council
09.2004 - 03.2014
NPQH - Education
National College for School Leadership
09.2001 - 12.2003
Bachelor of Education - Primary Education
Nene College
09.1991 - 07.1995
A-Levels - Drama
Upper Avon School
09.1989 - 07.1991
A-Levels - English Literature
Upper Avon School
09.1989 - 07.1991
A-Levels - Sociology
Upper Avon School
09.1989 - 07.1991
GCSEs - Maths
Upper Avon School
09.1984 - 07.1989
GCSEs - English Literature
Upper Avon School
09.1984 - 07.1989
GCSEs - English Language
Upper Avon School
09.1984 - 07.1989
GCSEs - Science
Upper Avon School
09.1984 - 07.1989