Rachel Mays

Rachel Mays

I have been lucky enough to spend my career working with children; there is nothing more exciting and rewarding than helping learners develop into confident, mature, independent adults. I have held a number of different leadership roles in four large community schools, as well as carrying out both regional and national work in school improvement.

At Whitley Bay High School, I was Deputy Headteacher and Head of School when the school was judged outstanding in every measure by Ofsted. I led the bids for Specialist School and Teaching School status which were strategic drivers on the route to outstanding.

As Head of the Teaching School I was involved in training new entrants to the profession, as well as leadership development programmes. I also worked extensively supporting the leaders and governors of schools in challenging circumstances.

Following my retirement, I took on a regional role for All North Teaching Schools which has given me opportunities to work with National Leaders of Education involved in the DfE’s One Vision initiative and other raising achievement projects across the North East.

Having been a member of the AIB at Duke’s Academy since 2019, I was delighted to join the Trust Board and use my knowledge and experience of the educational world for the benefit of students, staff and parents across our family of schools.