Claire Stafford

CURRICULUM & LEADERSHIP FOR CHILDREN EXPERT

“Children are always my ‘Why’. In my role as Curriculum Lead, every decision I make starts and ends with them. I’m passionate about school improvement and aim to develop leaders at all levels so that they can be at their best, both individually and as part of their school team, leading to ambitious entitlements and the best possible outcomes for all learners.”

Claire has been an Associate Headteacher with Transform since 2017. She has over 17 years teaching experience, with 12 years in Senior Leadership roles, including two Deputy Headships and a Co-Headship. She is an experienced SENCO, an OLEVI outstanding Facilitator and has worked as an SLE, supporting schools with Key Stage 1 Teaching and Learning and whole school assessment strategy.

As Trust Curriculum Lead, she has designed and led on an Applied -wide Curriculum CPD and support, including our Primary Curriculum Specialist Programme, in addition to being a key member of the planning team for a Curriculum Conference attended by over 700 people. This involved developing relationships on a national scale to book keynote speakers and organising and planning workshops for all teaching staff across the Trust. Claire herself has also presented at a number of conferences and has provided training materials for Myatt and Co.

Claire’s strength lies in School Improvement: supporting leaders at all levels in schools, thinking and planning strategically and acting as a critical friend. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of ‘doing with, not doing to’ and particularly enjoys identifying systemic issues and working with leadership teams to address them. She has led on Early Years development, which included leading networks and peer reviews and supported with the facilitation of the Reading SSIF Project, bringing expertise around the teaching of Phonics and Early Reading. Claire has also been a lead facilitator for Partnership Projects on Pupil Premium Strategy and Subject Leadership.

Claire has developed and led our Leadership for Children Programme for Years 5 and 6, which includes the development of our Let’s Talk Leadership Programme for adults, empowering staff to develop Children’s Leadership, Oracy and Global Citizenship in their own schools. She has spoken at our inspiring @MyBest Talks, is an experienced School Direct and ECT Mentor, a Challenge Partners Reviewer, a Fellow of the Chartered College for Teaching, a FED Expert supporting leaders across all school phases and holds the NPQH qualification.