I have over 45 years' experience in education in the UK: 30 years as a high school teacher of English & Drama, including as a Head of English and Assistant Principal, with responsibility for whole-school literacy; and 6 years with a Local Authority School Improvement Team.

Since 2011, I have developed a strong interest in school staff wellbeing and mental health. In 2017, I founded the Teach Well Alliance to support headteachers and their staff to develop a whole-school culture of staff wellbeing and mental health. I have an unshakeable belief that, if we don't look after our staff in schools, they will be unable to teach effectively and care for the children and young people.

I work closely with Suneta Bagri of Every Teacher Matters. Like me, Suneta believes wholeheartedly that staff need to be valued. We work closely together and offer a combined total of 65 years' experience: Suneta in primary education, including leading a number of schools, and myself in secondary education.