Nicola Ashton Email & Phone Number

United Arab Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Delivering Higher Level Chemistry at International Baccalaureate has reshaped and driven forward my pedagogy and re-enlivened a passion for being in the classroom. My teaching practice has developed significantly and the integration of Theory of Knowledge, Nature of Science and International-mindedness occurs in lessons at every key stage and i have incorporated a relentless focus on critical thinking into lessons.In order to accelerate learning and metacognition and enhance ownership of staff CPD, I devised and led an innovative teaching and learning conference for both secondary and primary schools, facilitating the sharing of best practice amongst 150 colleagues. Organised in only four weeks, and on an unprecedented scale, 98% of staff reported that they had directly altered their teaching as a result of their attendance at the conference and felt it had positively impacted on their classroom delivery.

Motivating and supporting my team of nineteen staff including four trainees in developing in their own practice by raising standards and expectations through frequent face to face communication, developing clarity and transparency in systems and holding myself and others accountable and doing so quickly with a supportive and solution based approach. Built the capacity in the team, incentivised and mentored new leaders, provided leadership CPD to accelerate progress and to motivate the team and drive forward an ethos of learning in an extremely deprived area and in an environment where student and parental aspirations were low. ALPs two achieved across all our A level and triple science GCSE courses and ALPS three for GCSE science with a 6% increase in two sciences A*-C in 2016. Attained departmental OFSTED grade of good with outstanding leadership in 2014 and 2017.Implemented whole school revision strategy including a personalised revision timetable and resources for every learner, and both student and parent workshops on strategy and metacognition.

Organised and delivered a revision conference for year 11 detailing metacognition and revision strategy. The creation of a bespoke revision study skills guide and revision resource pack for each learner supported this.Designed a bespoke "learning passport" to target specific deficits in out learner skill base which ran through tutor time and was supported in curriculum lessons. Through student voice, there is evidence of measurable increase in learners’ awareness of the skills needed for learning and how to use them. Created and developed a weekly teaching and learning CPD magazine for staff, led collaborative network within the local community for sharing excellence.I introduced, co-ordinated and timetabled end-of-year exams for year 7 to 9. Undertook detailed analysis of results against aspirational targets, identified learners making less than expected progress and coordinated interventions, identified learners excelling and recognised this at a parental presentation and awards afternoon. Though I was the innovation and the impetus to get these campaigns started in order to raise standards, once the vision was clear, staff actively sought out and engaged in learning to learn and training opportunities to consolidate the identified metacognitive skills into their own curriculum areas.

Teacher of Science at KS3. At KS4 - Science, Additional Science and Chemistry GCSE, BTEC Science. At KS5 A level Chemistry.

Led a year group of 150 learners and team of seven tutors in a disadvantaged area of the midlands.Changed ethos and created a culture of resilience, student empowerment and mutual respect. Initiatives put into place included: recognition of outstanding contributions to learning and to achievement & academy values, increased transparency and communication with parents, challenging lack of effort but supporting lack of progress, problem-based activity sessions.Tracking progress and managing strategic intervention with Year 7 learners through initiatives including: accountability ownership through introduction of target setting using forensic data, effective individual advice and guidance (IAG) programmes created through CPD delivery, parental meetings for the most significant under achievers with specific targets set, rigorous tracking against aspirational targets and follow up interventions to bridge gaps.

Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Implemented focused strategies to raise achievement as assessment co-ordinator to the Practical Zone: Science, Mathematics, Technology and Physical Education.Leader of curriculum for chemistry, managed the curriculum - including reform, progress, achievement and examination entries at both KS4 and KS5. Proven track record of delivering consistently outstanding lessons through formal observations including OFSTED, and of outstanding progress with learners. Promoted STEM across the school and supported and delivered cross-curricular activities as part of the curriculum and as extra-curricular events. Examples include whole year group visits, collapsed timetable projects and national CREST awards participation.Scheduled and managed STEM inspiration days for learners and STEM inspiration CPD courses for staff. Impact was the embedding of a range of different pedagogies and activities in all four curriculum areas and a proven increase in transferable knowledge and skills.Planned and delivered frequent whole school training on a variety of aspects of teaching and learning. Created an approaches to learning rubric for reporting and outstanding lesson criteria. Delivered CPD sessions for the local authority.

Education, Pgce

Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Science * QTS Achieved 2007

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry, 2:1 - Upper Second Class

Biochemistry with medical biochemistry specialism. Dissertation researching WNT signalling pathways and specialist modules in oncogeneis.