Natalie Fowler
Wixams,Bedford
Summary
Accomplished early childhood education professional with extensive expertise in child-centred leadership and inclusive education advocacy. Demonstrates a strong understanding of the EYFS framework and excels in building trust relationships and parental engagement. Proven track record in staff management, recruitment, and mentoring, alongside effective policy writing and budget handling. Committed to fostering multicultural understanding and supporting special educational needs through empathetic communication and resilience under pressure. Career goal: to continue advancing inclusive education practices while ensuring compliance with safeguarding regulations and health and safety standards.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Headteacher
Knowles Nursery School, Milton Keynes Council
Milton Keynes, Bucks
2015.09 - Current
- Strategic leadership and management of the nursery school in partnership with the governing body.
- Managing the nursery school budget of between £550,000 and £600,000
- Managing all aspects of staffing, including HR, recruitment, for a team of 12 staff, 6 governors and 104 children.
- Professional development lead for staff
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Special Education Needs Coordinator (32% of the current cohort has an additional need)
- Working collaboratively with governors, the local authority and external agencies
- Supporting parents: delivering courses, information sessions and signposting to other agencies and charities
- Policy writing and implementation
- Writing performance improvement plans with clear targets to develop the work and success of the nursery school.
- Performance management of staff
- Ensuring all statutory inspections are completed
- Accountable for children's progress, attainment and well being
- Mental Health lead and Protective Behaviours champion
- Accountability for health and safety within the Nursery School
- Enhanced school reputation by implementing innovative educational strategies.
- Developing inclusive (ASC and other complex disabilities) and trauma-informed practice within the nursery school
Assistant headteacher
River Bank Primary School
Luton, Bedfordshire
2013.09 - 2015.08
- Strategic development of establishing a brand new school
- Reception and Year 1 lead.
- Class teacher
- DSL
- Strategic leadership and collaboration with the headteacher and governors
- Phonics lead
- CPD lead
- Assessment and curriculum development
development of the learning environment indoors and out, with budget responsibility - Line manager
- Deputising for the Headteacher three days a week
Breastfeeding Buddy
Bedfordshire NHS
Bedford, Central Bedfordshire
2013.02 - 2015.04
- Volunteer role supporting mothers in the community at the local breastfeeding brasserie
- Coaching and mentoring new mums
- Active listening skills to support and develop their confidence and skills
- Being approachable, knowledgeable, and appropriately trained
- Working in an ethical, non-judgemental way, confidentiality
Assistant headteacher
Foxdell Infant School, Luton Borough Council
Luton, Bedfordshire
2006.09 - 2013.08
- Early Years Foundation Stage, ICT, E-safety and phonics lead
- Performance management of Early Years staff and ICT technician
- Budget holder
- Data analysis
- Writing action plans and elements of the school evaluation form
- Staff mentor
- Class teacher
- Supporting the recruitment of staff
- Coaching for staff to support them in further developing themselves
- Staff governor
- Nursery teacher 1 day per week
Early Years Leader
Cheynes Infant School, Luton Borough Council
Luton, Bedfordshire
2001.09 - 2006.08
- Class teacher
- EYFS manager – managed 6 staff and 90 children
- Data analysis
- Writing action plans
- Budget planning
- ICT coordinator
- Supporting with writing the SEF for the early years elements
Education
National Award for SEN Coordination - Special Educational Needs
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield 2021.10 - 2023.08
Master of Arts - Early Childhood & Education (Integrated Working with Families and Children)
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield 2015.01 - 2015.07
Master of Arts - Primary Coaching and Mentoring
University of Bedfordshire
Luton 2006.07 - 2007.06
Master of Arts - Professional Studies in Education - Leadership in the Early Years
University of Luton
Luton 2003.01 - 2003.06
Bachelor of Arts - BA Hons in Primary Education with QTS
University College Northampton
Northampton, Northamptonshire 1998.09 - 2001.07
A-Levels -
Burleigh Community College
Loughborough, Leicestershire 1996.09 - 1998.07
GCSEs -
Burleigh Community College
Loughborough, Leicestershire 1994.09 - 1996.07
Skills
- Building effective relationships through empathy, patience and my own lived experience
- School marketing
- Early Years expertise
- Visionary leadership
- Performance evaluation
- Staff recruitment, management, coaching and mentoring
- Policy writing
- Effective communication skills with a range of stakeholders
- Budget handling
- Resilience under pressure
- Inclusive education practices, support and advocacy
- Clean full driving licence
- British Sign Language Level 1
- Protective Behaviours Level 3
- Trauma and Attachment Awareness Practice
- Attention Autism Level 1
Affiliations
- In my spare time I like to drum, walk, lift weights at the gym, attend music concerts and travel to new places.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
National Award for SEN Coordination - Special Educational Needs
University of Hertfordshire
2021.10 - 2023.08
Headteacher
Knowles Nursery School, Milton Keynes Council
2015.09 - Current
Master of Arts - Early Childhood & Education (Integrated Working with Families and Children)
University of Hertfordshire
2015.01 - 2015.07
Assistant headteacher
River Bank Primary School
2013.09 - 2015.08
Breastfeeding Buddy
Bedfordshire NHS
2013.02 - 2015.04
Assistant headteacher
Foxdell Infant School, Luton Borough Council
2006.09 - 2013.08
Master of Arts - Primary Coaching and Mentoring
University of Bedfordshire
2006.07 - 2007.06
Master of Arts - Professional Studies in Education - Leadership in the Early Years
University of Luton
2003.01 - 2003.06
Early Years Leader
Cheynes Infant School, Luton Borough Council
2001.09 - 2006.08
Bachelor of Arts - BA Hons in Primary Education with QTS
University College Northampton
1998.09 - 2001.07
A-Levels -
Burleigh Community College
1996.09 - 1998.07
GCSEs -
Burleigh Community College
1994.09 - 1996.07