Mark Barker
Sheffield,South Yorkshire
Summary
A highly experienced and values-driven senior leader with over 15 years of leadership experience. A sustained record of delivering rapid and transformational improvement across multiple secondary schools. Skilled in establishing calm, purposeful cultures underpinned by high expectations, relational practice, and strong operational systems. Proven expertise in behaviour, attendance, inclusion, curriculum, and whole-school strategic development. Committed to ensuring that every young person receives an ambitious, equitable, and life-changing education. My philosophy of leadership is to promote these values throughout the organisation: trust at all levels, healthy debate, high levels of buy in, openness and shared accountability, a clear focus on results. I am widely read, approachable and very ambitious for success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Director of Behaviour and Attitudes (Secondment)
INOVA Academy Trust
Sheffield
09.2024 - 12.2025
- Deployed by Trust to enhance leadership capacity and drive improvements at a second Trust School.
- Achieved Ofsted Good rating at this school (May 2025) for 'rapidly improving' status and positive relationships.
- Led cultural transformation, building consistency and higher expectations in learning environment.
- Simultaneously retained Senior Leadership responsibilities at Forge Valley School.
- Developed comprehensive behaviour, attendance, and inclusion systems across Trust.
- Aligned staffing structures and policies to support trust-wide initiatives.
- Contributed to strategic planning at trust level under new CEO.
- Implemented operational changes for improved efficiency.
Senior Assistant Headteacher
Forge Valley School
Sheffield
09.2014 - 12.2025
- Deputised for Headteacher, ensuring continuity in leadership without (For clarity, the structure doesn't have a Deputy Head).
- Worked as part of the Senior Team to move the School from Inadequate to Good in all areas.
- Strategically led Behaviour, Attendance, Inclusion, and Pastoral staffing initiatives.
- Directed previous areas such as Pupil Premium, Curriculum development, Assessment, and Teaching & Learning.
- Held trust-wide responsibility for Attendance Strategy, collaborating with local government inclusion teams.
- Oversaw recruitment across pastoral sectors and coordinated safeguarding efforts via the Inclusion Panel.
- Introduced A-Star Attendance and Sol Tracker to enhance workload efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
- Contributed significantly to improving school performance from inadequate to good across all areas.
Assistant Principal – Science and STEM
Shirebrook Academy
Mansfield
01.2012 - 08.2014
- Directed Science Department and implemented school-wide STEM strategy.
- Improved Science performance from the bottom 25% to the top 25% Nationally
- Contributed to transition from Ofsted Good to Outstanding rating.
- Oversaw curriculum, assessment, outcomes, and staff development in Science.
- Developed comprehensive training programmes for educators, elevating teaching standards.
- Innovated teaching methodologies to enhance school curriculum.
- Managed recruitment process to secure highly qualified educators.
Closing the Gap Coordinator; Head of Science; Teaching Head of Year 10
Newbold Community School
Chesterfield
09.2004 - 12.2011
- Identified areas of improvement through rigorous assessment procedures resulting in raised attainment levels.
- Led Pupil Premium / raising attainment strategy
- Managed the Science faculty across KS3–5.
- Delivered pastoral leadership for Year 10.
- Implemented new learning strategies, promoting academic improvement across all year groups.
- Enhanced departmental performance by implementing innovative teaching methods.
- Created a positive learning environment promoting respect and inclusivity amongst students.
- Facilitated professional development opportunities for staff encouraging continuous learning and growth.
Teacher of English (EFL)
Euroschool Idiomas
Murcia, Spain
07.2002 - 08.2004
- Taught English across a range of learner groups.
- Returned to the UK to commence PGCE training.
Education
MSc - Sport and Exercise Science
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield 01.2000 - 01.2002
BSc - Sport and Exercise Science (2:1)
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield 01.1997 - 01.2000
A-Levels - Biology (C), Sport (C), Business Studies (D)
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Darlington 01.1995 - 01.1997
GCSEs - Maths (C), English Language (C), English Literature (D), Science (CC), Geography (C), French (D), D&T (C), PE (A)
Branksome Comprehensive School
Darlington 01.1990 - 01.1995
Skills
- Implemented Step Lap into CPD
- Inclusion systems development
- Attendance strategy oversight Strong data literacy and use of analytics tools (A-Star Attendance, Sol Tracker)
- Cultural transformation
- Curriculum innovation
- Staff recruitment
- Stakeholder engagement
- Mentoring and coaching
- Pastoral leadership
- Behavioural transformation
- Strategic planning
- Cultural leadership
- Spanish – KS3 (Fluent speaker)
- Science – Biology (GCSE), Chemistry and Physics (KS3)
Certification
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Awarded 2004-09-01
- DfE Number: 03/38507
- NPQH, Best Practice Network (Completed 2020)
- MSc and BSc
- Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship, National College (Ongoing)
- PGCE, University of Sheffield (2003–2004)
- Fluent Spanish Speaker (KS3 Teaching Ability)
Professional Training (Recent)
- Safer Recruitment – Scott Glover Training (2023-10)
- Advanced Safeguarding Refresher – Sheffield LA (2021-01 & 2023-11)
- Promoting Wellbeing & Keeping Children Safe – Sheffield LA (2019-11)
- Emergency First Aid at Work – Sheffield LA (2021-06)
- NPQH – Best Practice Network (2020)
- Level 7 Senior Leadership Apprenticeship – National College (Ongoing)
Referees
- John, Watson, Head of School, jwatson@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk, 0114 234 8805, Forge Valley School, Wood Lane, Sheffield, S6 5HG, May be contacted prior to interview.
- Andrew, Williams, Chief Inclusion Officer, awilliams@inovamat.org, 07825 266395, INOVA MAT, Pennine 5, Tenter Street, Sheffield, S1 4BY, May be contacted prior to interview.
Languages
Spanish
Fluent
English
Native
Timeline
Director of Behaviour and Attitudes (Secondment)
INOVA Academy Trust
09.2024 - 12.2025
Senior Assistant Headteacher
Forge Valley School
09.2014 - 12.2025
Assistant Principal – Science and STEM
Shirebrook Academy
01.2012 - 08.2014
Closing the Gap Coordinator; Head of Science; Teaching Head of Year 10
Newbold Community School
09.2004 - 12.2011
Teacher of English (EFL)
Euroschool Idiomas
07.2002 - 08.2004
MSc - Sport and Exercise Science
Sheffield Hallam University
01.2000 - 01.2002
BSc - Sport and Exercise Science (2:1)
Sheffield Hallam University
01.1997 - 01.2000
A-Levels - Biology (C), Sport (C), Business Studies (D)
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
01.1995 - 01.1997
GCSEs - Maths (C), English Language (C), English Literature (D), Science (CC), Geography (C), French (D), D&T (C), PE (A)
Branksome Comprehensive School
01.1990 - 01.1995