The Teaching and Learning Team (TLT) comprise of two Lead Practitioners and three Advanced Lead Teachers and work alongside the Assistant Headteacher in charge of Teaching and Learning to support all staff in raising academic standards both within the classroom and beyond.
The TLT meet regularly to plan inset sessions and discuss new initiatives, conduct learning walks to spot good practice and ensure it is shared across the staff body and develop bespoke programmes to aid teachers with their pedagogy.
They often work alongside colleagues in the Professional Learning Area (PLA), assisting with effective lesson planning and developing best practice with the assessment of student work.
A very strong coaching culture exists in the school and the Teaching and Learning Team lead the way in this aspect of school life, using the latest technology including SWIVL to encourage reflection, discussion and improved practice.
One of the Lead Practitioners leads a reading group which meets regularly to discuss latest cutting edge practice and each half term a teaching and learning newsletter is published, highlighting pedagogical news from within and beyond the school.
Meet the Team
Ms Knowles
Assistant Headteacher
Stephanie has over 20 years teaching experience. She has worked at Bushey Meads in a variety of leadership roles for a number of years. She started her career as a teacher of English at an 11 – 16 school in Barrow-in-Furness. After working for some years in schools around the Stoke-on-Trent area, she joined the BMS staff, taking up the teaching of A level law. The various leadership positions that she has held at BM include Head of Year, Head of Faculty and Advanced Senior Leader. She currently is in charge of teaching and learning, leadership development and the curriculum.
Ms. Bowe
Lead Practitioner: English & Whole School Literacy
Danielle has over two decades of experience of successfully teaching English at KS3, 4 and 5 in two inner London comprehensives. She has genuine passion for teaching and being in the classroom and her enhanced role of Lead Practitioner within the Bushey St James Trust allows her to do that, along with whole school development with the literacy strand. She has worked with other local schools and disseminates good practice, sharing and developing resources – currently taking a leading role in the development and implementation of the new GCSE changes in the English curriculum through the creation of resources and schemes of learning as well as support and training of staff.
Ms. Hoskins
Lead Practitioner
Kate has over twenty years experience teaching in several schools in Hertfordshire. She started her career as an Art teacher and now teaches four subjects up to A-Level: Art, Graphics, Photography and Media. When Kate joined Bushey Meads she was promoted to Deputy Head of Sixth Form, a post she held for over ten years. During this time she led a team of tutors, and was responsible for the academic and pastoral well being of the sixth form students. Kate is a passionate Art teacher and believes that every student should be given the ability to express themselves and be guided. She encourages students and other staff members to achieve their best standard without fear of failure as it can lead to self discovery and personal well-being.
Ms. Pattni
Advanced Lead Teacher
Niralee is in her fifth year of teaching and since joining BMS as an NQT, she has most recently been appointed to Advanced Lead Teacher and Head of Elm house. She teaches Design & Technology across KS3, 4 and 5 in a range of disciplines, including resistant materials, food and nutrition and specialises in textiles. During her time at Bushey Meads, Niralee has fulfilled the role of KS3 leader for D&T, working with the faculty to ensure positive and meaningful learning opportunities and experiences throughout Year 7-9. She has also worked as Second in Faculty and is currently working as part of the Teaching and Learning team to help deliver staff training across the school. She has previously presented ideas and strategies at BMS inset days and also to NQT’s across the Herts & Bucks consortium, on topics such as stretch and challenge and marking and feedback. She is passionate about D&T and believes that students can foster the same enthusiasm when they are presented with exciting opportunities.
Mr. Lyley
Advanced Lead Teacher
Adam is in his seventh year of teaching; primarily in history across key stages 3, 4 and 5, however has also taught A Level politics for three years. He was appointed Head of History in 2018, with an ongoing aim to ‘put history on the map’ within his school context. Adam has regularly delivered staff training across the school and trust on behaviour for learning, engagement and encouraging independent learners. His department are committed to providing enriching opportunities for young people studying the past, in the hope that they appreciate the world we live in today.
Mr. Harris
Advanced Lead Teacher
Jonathan started his teaching career at Bushey Meads as an NQT as a KS2 & KS3 PE Teacher. He has worked closely across the trust supporting the development of the primary curriculum as well as building strong relationships with students across the trust. Jonathan has a passion for the implementation of technology within his lessons, whether this is practical or theoretical lessons in order to enhance the lessons for students, provide high levels of engagement and progress for all students. In his role as a Advanced Lead Teacher, he is excited to share his ideas and methods of how to implement technology into the classroom to effective support progress.
Ms. Bruner
Advanced Lead Teacher
Courtney has recently joined Bushey Meads School as an Advanced Lead Teacher and leader within our Learning Support Department. She is an experienced primary teacher, specialising in KS2. Before joining Bushey Meads, Courtney held the post of Assistant Headteacher at an all-through school in London where she developed curriculum, policies and school culture with a focus on inclusivity and wellbeing; delivered training and assemblies; provided pastoral support for students; and mentored and supported a large team of staff, including NQTs and PGCE students. Courtney is passionate about educational research and developing school culture and curriculum purposefully designed for students at every stage of their educational journey. She is committed to further developing our adaptive curriculums in maths and science to ensure that every student at Bushey Meads School has the opportunity to achieve at every level.
Mr. Johnson
Advanced Lead Teacher
Gary joined Bushey Meads in 2018 and has worked across the trust teaching English and developing curriculum content for vulnerable students. He is an ambassador for creating lively and engaging lessons that ultimately give students the knowledge and skills they need to be successful young people. His ultimate aim is to empower students, teachers and learning assistants to teach with ambition and to challenge students through creative pedagogical methods. He possesses extensive experience of building relevant curriculum links between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 4 to support the creation of broad and balanced schemes that champion all students and their varying levels of need. In his recent professional undertakings within Learning Support, Gary has acquired a robust understanding of what makes students with SEND progress and how interventions can promote participation and achievement for all students.
Mr. Godfrey
Advanced Lead Teacher
David is an experienced maths specialist with over 15 years experience teaching locally with an industry background both as a manager and trainer. He has a passion for learning and a belief that, with help and support, any child can achieve progress in mathematics. David enjoys teaching techniques that encourage thinking outside the box and likes to make lessons both engaging and memorable, he has a strong belief in a positive mindset and encourages a “can-do” culture in the classroom. He is an experienced coach and mentor to new staff and is happy to share good practice both within the maths faculty and across the school.