Joanne Ferry
Durham
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with expertise in curriculum development and school improvement. Specialises in English leadership and phonics curriculum for primary education. Skilled in staff mentoring, professional development, and safeguarding as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Focused on enhancing pupil wellbeing through pastoral care, mental health support, and community engagement.
Overview
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Year 3 Teacher and History & Geography Coordinator
Durham High School
- Delivered high-quality teaching and learning in Key Stage 2, leading History and Geography to enhance student engagement and understanding.
- Lead the strategic development of History and Geography curricula across the primary phase
- Ensure progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary across year groups
- Promote enquiry-led learning and meaningful connections between classroom learning and the wider world
- Design enriching learning experiences that foster curiosity, critical thinking and global awareness
- Contributed to high standards of teaching and learning, resulting in improved pupil achievement and engagement across year groups.
- Supported colleagues in curriculum leadership and subject development, fostering collaborative practices that improved teaching quality.
- Work collaboratively with pupils, parents and colleagues to support academic progress and well-being
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements
Primary Teacher | Assistant Head | Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Newcastle School for Boys
- Served as Assistant Head, supporting the strategic leadership and daily operation of the school
- Acted as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), promoting a strong culture of safeguarding and pupil welfare
- Held a range of teaching and leadership positions within a successful independent school, contributing to educational leadership, safeguarding, curriculum innovation and school improvement.
- Led English and Religious Education across the primary phase
- Designed and implemented new English and RE curricula to strengthen progression and improve outcomes
- Developed and introduced a phonics curriculum that contributed to significantly improved Key Stage 1 phonics screening results
- Mentored colleagues and supported professional development
- Led and supported school improvement initiatives focused on curriculum development, teaching and learning and pupil wellbeing
- Completed Mental Health First Aid training and championed wellbeing initiatives across the school
- Worked closely with families and external agencies to support pupils' academic, social and emotional development
- Taught across the primary age range, developing extensive expertise in progression and transition between key stages
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements
Education Officer
Laing Art Gallery
- Developed and delivered educational programmes that connected schools, families and community groups with the gallery's collections and exhibitions.
- Designed and delivered curriculum-linked workshops and educational resources
- Led school visits, gallery tours and outreach activities
- Developed partnerships with schools, teachers and community organisations
- Promoted inclusive access to arts and cultural learning
- Supported public engagement with exhibitions and collections
- Contributed to audience development and educational outreach initiatives
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements
Museum Assistant
Beamish Museum
- Worked as part of the living history team, engaging visitors through historical interpretation while supporting educational programmes and collections management.
- Engaged visitors through immersive learning experiences
- Worked with school groups and educational visits
- Delivered historical interpretation in period costume
- Supported heritage education and public engagement initiatives
- Undertook collections cataloguing and archive documentation
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements
Museum Assistant
Segedunum Roman Fort
- Conducted guided tours for visitors and school groups
- Delivered educational activities linked to Roman history and archaeology
- Promoted visitor understanding of Roman Britain and Hadrian's Wall
- Supported visitor engagement and educational programmes at a major Roman heritage site.
- Supported museum events and visitor engagement initiatives
- Assisted with retail operations and customer service
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements
Library Assistant
Durham University Library
- Assisted students, staff and researchers with enquiries and resource access
- Managed loans, returns and reservations
- Organised and maintained library collections to ensure accessibility and user satisfaction
- Supported cataloguing and information management activities
- Fostered a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students and staff
- Supported the operation of a busy academic library while studying at Durham University.
- Defined key responsibilities and highlighted notable achievements
Education
PGCE - Primary Education
Durham University
2005.10 - 2006.06
MA - Museum Studies
Durham University
2001.09 - 2003.06
BA (Hons) - Ancient History and Archaeology
Durham University
1997.09 - 2001.06
Skills
- History Leadership
- Literacy Leadership
- Teaching and Learning
- Phonics Curriculum Development
- Educational Leadership
- School Improvement
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Collaborative Teaching
- Mental Health First Aid
- Pastoral Care
- Staff mentoring
- Child protection
- DDSL
- Staff Mentoring and Professional Development
- Independent Education
- English Leadership
- Educational visits
- Community engagement
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Mental Health First Aid
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Training
- Educational Leadership Development
- Curriculum Leadership
- Continuing Professional Development in Teaching and Learning
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
- Educational Leadership
- Curriculum Development
- Safeguarding
- Wellbeing
- School Improvement
- Heritage Learning
- Museum Education
- History
- Archaeology
- Educational Outreach
- Lifelong Learning
Timeline
PGCE - Primary Education
Durham University
2005.10 - 2006.06
MA - Museum Studies
Durham University
2001.09 - 2003.06
BA (Hons) - Ancient History and Archaeology
Durham University
1997.09 - 2001.06
Library Assistant
Durham University Library
Museum Assistant
Segedunum Roman Fort
Museum Assistant
Beamish Museum
Education Officer
Laing Art Gallery
Primary Teacher | Assistant Head | Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Newcastle School for Boys
Year 3 Teacher and History & Geography Coordinator
Durham High School