THE RHA TEAM OF ASSOCIATES
Biographies
EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE
rex@rexhallassociates.com
Rex Hall MBE has been the lead consultant for PfS since 1998. He has worked in education for over thirty years in different posts, a number of which have been at senior and project management level. He has been involved in the preparation, discussions and writing of many of the reports and policy documents relating to Study Support, OOSHL and related areas before establishing Rex Hall Associates as leaders in inspirational learning. He is a National Critical Friend for QiSS and is a consultant for the Study Support Quality Development Programme run by QiSS/CELSI. Rex founded the Tower Hamlets Summer University and piloted many new initiatives in this area of education. Rex is responsible for Communicating for Success, a partnership with British Telecom and The Football Foundation, and initiated the concept of Performing for Success, which will link with the arts, theatre and heritage sites.
Rex has also authored a number of books on the Soviet/Russian Space Programme.
LEAD ASSOCIATES
Lead Associate for communication (including publications and yearbook)
halina@rexhallassociates.com
Halina Gammie has been working with PfS as a Critical Friend since 1999 and is currently the Lead Associate for Communication. She has extensive experience of work at management/consultancy level in education supporting LAs’ achievement programmes and strategy/policy direction. Halina has contributed to much of the national research relating to study support. Halina co-wrote The Study Support Code of Practice (DfES 2004) and has been responsible for its integration into PfS work through setting up a national system for the recognition of Quality through QiSS for PfS. Halina contributed to the development of the Quality Standards for Extended Services (QES) and is co-writing the DCSF’s Extending Learning Opportunities: a framework for Self Evaluation in Study Support. Halina is a National Critical Friend for QiSS/CELSI, a regional co-ordinator and a consultant to the DCSF Study Support Quality Development Programme.
Lead Associate for critical friendship
alwyn@rexhallassociates.com
Alwyn Morgan has been an independent consultant for the past eleven years, specialising in those areas of work that impact on the education of children outside of the school day, i.e. study support, homework and the involvement of parents/carers in their children's education. He has been a Critical Friend for Playing for Success for the past eight years and the QiSS Study Support Quality Development programme for the past three years. He was commissioned to produce the contents for the DfES’ homework and home-school contract websites and family learning tasks for the BBC’s website. Alwyn co-authored with Rex Hall the DfES' Primary Code of Practice for Study Support. He also wrote the Out-of-School-Hours Code of Practice for the Welsh Assembly Government and edited a series of homework publications for a national publishing company.
Lead Associate for innovation and development
steve@rexhallassociates.com
Steve Smith is an independent consultant and has 37 years’ experience in education. He was, until retirement in September 2009, the PfS and QA in Study Support Manager for Education Leeds. He has nine years’ experience as a PfS centre manager, leading his centre through QiSS Emerged, Established, Advanced and revalidation of Advanced status. He is a National Critical Friend for QiSS/CELSI and has represented the DCSF, the British Council and the British Embassy in promoting PfS at national and international conferences. Steve has led on the writing of curriculum materials including Tackle Learning and Learning through Football. He was formerly a primary headteacher and advisory teacher. In October 2009 he was presented with the Stephen Lawrence Community Award for his services to race equality in Leeds schools.
Lead Associate for quality assurance
diane@rexhallassociates.com
Diane Wilson is Lead Associate for Quality across RHA. She also leads the QiSS South East Regional Network, providing support to local authorities in strategically embedding study support, part of the core offer of Extended Services to raise achievement and meet ECM outcomes. This role necessitates regular meetings with Government Office South East.
Diane provides English advisory support for secondary schools across a London authority and this includes supporting the embedding of Assessment for Learning and APP in English as part of National Strategy.
Diane was formerly joint Director of Quality in Study Support, a Secondary Deputy Headteacher and Curriculum Manager for English and Drama. She led the development of the Quality in Study Support recognition process. She has contributed to a range of publications and has written Masters’ level courses on Critical Friendship for Canterbury Christ Church University. Currently she is leading the writing of DCSF’s ‘Extending Learning Opportunities: a framework for Self Evaluation in Study Support’ which will replace the DfES ‘Study Support Code of Practice’ of which she was one of the principle writers.
Deputy Executive Associate
Lead Associate for professional development and training
marian@rexhallassociates.com
Marian Wood has worked in education for over 30 years as a teacher, adviser and consultant and has been involved in PfS since 1999. She was one of the initial team of three Critical Friends in the early stages of the initiative, contributing to a number of PfS publications and professional development - in particular key skills and mentor training. A former secondary school teacher she has extensive experience in study support both as a project manager and a Critical Friend on a number of DfES programmes. She has been successful in securing substantial funding for study support initiatives through NOF and SRB. Her recent experience has been as head of education in a private sector company where she has held a key role within the leadership team, developing the strategic orientation for the company, its ambitions and vision and advising senior officers within LAs on professional development strategy.
ASSOCIATES
andrew@rexhallassociates.com
Andrew Bradshaw is currently a senior school improvement consultant with the Lincolnshire School Improvement Service/CfBT. Andrew joined CfBT in September 2008 and is the local authority representative for three centres, two of which form part of the PfS programme. Andrew also supports schools with curriculum innovation work and is active within the workforce development team. Andrew started his career as a trainee field studies officer with Westminster County Council. He then worked in primary education across Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, working for part of this local authority leading numeracy and literacy teacher. Andrew became a deputy head teacher in 2003 and a primary head teacher in 2006. The latter involved a brief period as a consultant head, supporting schools with curriculum innovation and development. Andrew is a qualified rugby coach, a keen runner and loves family life alongside his wife and their two young children.
Olympics, Pass It On and the Inspire Mark, young people's voice
anna@rexhallassociates.com
Anna Chapman is currently the Study Support Manager for the London Borough of Newham and is leading on the 2012 Olympic Games National Programme for PfS as a Rex Hall Associate. Anna taught Creative Arts in schools and youth centres before joining PfS as a Manager of the East London Gymnastics Club and West Ham United PfS centres. She now oversees PfS in Newham including an associate centre in the Stratford Shopping Centre and a pre- 2012 PfS centre for the Olympic Stadium. Anna is qualified as a QiSS/QES Critical Friend. She took West Ham United to Advanced status and continues to support others as well as chairing recognition meetings. Anna is an Extended Schools Remodelling Consultant, has set up accreditation schemes for volunteers and secured funding to extend projects including a study visit for 10 officers to learn about the 2000 Sydney Games education programmes in 2007. Anna is currently undertaking a professional doctorate at the University of East London.
Innovation and development
nancy@rexhallassociates.com
Nancy Cleary has worked in education including programme management and project management for over twelve years for two lottery distributors. She has been involved in the preparation, discussions and writing of many of the reports and policy documents relating to study support, school sports co-ordinators and extended schools on behalf of the New Opportunities Fund. She has facilitated the assessment and monitoring of education programmes for the Arts Council of England and the New Opportunities Fund. She is a PfS Critical Friend and a trustee of Tower Hamlets Summer University.
Double Club
scott@rexhallassociates.com
Scott Cohen has managed Arsenal in the Community’s education and football project, The Arsenal Double Club, since 2002. From September 2006, Scott has also led on the DCSF Key Stage 3 Curriculum Pilot for Literacy and Numeracy Double Clubs. By 2009, over 30 football and other sports clubs have become involved in this project through their PfS centres. Scott trained as a Physical Education and Mathematics teacher at Warwick University and then taught for over ten years in secondary schools in Sussex and Surrey. He became Head Of Year and then Assistant Head teacher. As a mathematics teacher, Scott worked with many struggling students and his other senior roles have given him a greater understanding of the needs of underachieving and challenging pupils. The Arsenal Double Club is primarily designed for similar students, although new modules such as French, German, Spanish and Geography have been taught across whole year groups. Alongside his RHA work, Scott continues to work part time for Arsenal Football Club, where he line manages the DCSF National Languages Double Club project.
Professional development
deb@rexhallassociates.com
Deborah Duncan has a background in primary and middle school education and is a qualified educational guidance worker who has also worked in adult education. Following work on guidance and educational programmes in South Norfolk and a secondment to Norfolk and Waveney TEC, in 1999 Deborah became study support development officer with responsibility for Norwich City FC’s PfS centre and the development of study support across Norfolk. From 2003-2006 Deborah was responsible for the development of extended schools and was a member of the PfS National Advisory Group representing rural LAs. She is a National Critical Friend and Eastern region co-ordinator for the QiSS SSQDP programme. In addition Deborah runs a supply teacher agency.
keith@rexhallassociates.com
Keith Grainger is currently Head of Study Support and PfS for Norfolk Children's
Services and is responsible for the development and growth of PfS, UFA,
CU and Summer Challenge projects within the county. He has successfully
completed ten years of PfS in Norfolk having guided the Norwich City Football Club Study Centre through from Emerged to Advanced QiSS recognition. Prior to PfS he worked as a primary teacher in North Yorkshire and for a number of local authorities in leisure management. He is a national Critical Friend and has supported Norfolk schools, PfS centres and museums through the QiSS recognition process.
lois@rexhallassociates.com
Lois Gyves is a qualified teacher who worked in primary schools in Manchester prior to joining PfS in 1998 as the manager of Manchester City FC’s PfS centre. Lois is currently the Playing for Success Manchester manager, with responsibility for three centres and promotes study support activities as part of Excellence in Cities Manchester and the LA extended services provision. Lois is a National Critical Friend and as a PfS Critical Friend has supported PfS centres and LAs to establish new centres and gain Quality in Study Support (QiSS) recognition.
Innovation and development
sean@rexhallassociates.com
Sean Kane is currently the centre manager at Nottingham Forest FC’s study support centre and is the study support development manager for the city of Nottingham. He has taken his centre through the QiSS process to Advanced level and has been the driving force behind the development of four other study support centres within Nottingham, two of which also have full PfS status and funding. He is a qualified teacher and a National Critical Friend and has worked on a wide variety of educational projects during the last twenty years.
Mentoring and critical friendship
mandy@rexhallassociates.com
Mandy Kelly is an experienced and qualified teacher who worked as a curriculum and pastoral leader in mainstream secondary schools until 1999. Following a secondment working with local communities on out-of-hours learning initiatives, she set up and managed Birmingham City FC’s Playing for Success centre; in this role she developed three further PfS centres in the city, with a shared vision and purpose, over three years. She is a National Critical Friend and has been involved in QiSS recognition meetings at all levels. She currently works part time as a CF to PfS centres and as a teacher and adviser on alternative learning projects in the Midlands.
Critical friendship
kevin@rexhallassociates.com
Kevin McCooke is an independent education consultant following 20 years working in education with primary and secondary schools, Further Education, in a number of colleges, and an out of school hours study centre.
As an Associate for Rex Hall Associates Kevin has responsibility for supporting 16 centres, and responsibility for the Arsenal Double Club and Critical Friendship.
This is in addition to working in a number of roles for specialist UK education organisations including:
• Learning & Skills Improvement Service
• Learning & Skills Network
• National College of School Leadership
• Nord Anglia
• Specialist Schools & Academies Trust
• Tribal
In addition to the above Kevin has carried out a number of senior management roles on an interim basis. Kevin combines his work with being a father to 3 children. Sadly he also collects movie memorabilia from James Bond, Harry Potter and Star Wars. Kevin is based in London.
Quality assurance
joanne@rexhallassociates.com
Joanne Moore worked for Sandwell MBC from 1999 - 2007 where she was responsible for an extensive study support programme and the development of quality standards for study support and extended schools based on The Study Support Code of Practice and Quality Development Framework for Extended Services. She contributed to the development of both of these key documents and is a member of the writing team for the new revised framework: Extending Learning Opportunities: a framework for Self Evaluation in Study Support. Joanne is currently a full time member of the core QiSS team at Canterbury Christ Church University and is a national Critical Friend. She has contributed to the PfS yearbook on quality assurance and is a member of the DCSF Study Support Quality Development Programme (QDP) team with regional responsibility for the North West Government Office Region. Joanne is leading on aspects of QiSS work with the Children's University and the Summer University.
Centre manager's handbook, induction and quality assurance, young people's voice
chris@rexhallassociates.com
Chris Myant has been involved in Playing for Success since 1998. Following twenty years of primary teaching in inner London schools she became the centre manager at Crystal Palace FC. She has worked in a strategic role with Croydon LA on study support and is a National Critical Friend working for both Playing for Success and QiSS/CELSI. She has been involved in the organisation of conferences and CPD events, including the induction programme for PfS managers and the writing of The Centre Managers’ Handbook.
john@rexhallassociates.com
John O’Boyle is currently employed as Adviser for Behaviour and Attendance as part of the School Improvement Service in Middlesbrough. Having taught previously as a head of department, he was seconded as advisory teacher of history to Cheshire in 2002. John joined Middlesbrough Council as a teaching and learning consultant in 2004 before moving to his current post in January 2007. During his time as an adviser, John has worked with teachers across all subject specialisms in introducing innovative ways of developing teaching and supporting learning. He has specific expertise in supporting PfS from a local authority perspective and liaising with PfS staff to ensure that programmes are closely integrated with the delivery of the mainstream curriculum. In addition John has experience of working with QCA to write schemes of work, producing materials for the national strategy on the teaching of ‘Thinking Skills’ and to support work on GCSE booster programmes.
Professional development
jeanette@rexhallassociates.com
Jeanette Palmer is a former head of English and head of year at secondary level. She became a PfS centre manager at Batley Bulldogs in 2001 and in 2005 became a strategic manager for PfS Kirklees, leading on QiSS and SSQDP for the LA, managing four centres. Batley Bulldogs PfS Centre achieved Advanced QiSS in 2007. Jeanette is a National Critical Friend and a PfS Critical Friend.
Young people's voice
janet@rexhallassociates.com
Janet Rhodes has been a PfS centre manager since 2001, joining the National Critical Friend team in 2005. She is currently managing two PfS centres in Bolton, one of which has recently achieved Advanced QiSS status. Janet supports the QiSS process through chairing and peer reading at recognition meetings and has been involved in the development of publications including Tackle Learning as well as hosting the centre managers’ national conference for professional development. She was formerly a history teacher with a range of middle and senior management responsibilities.
Marketing, website and PR
jo@rexhallassociates.com
Jo Robson is a National Critical Friend for PfS & QiSS. Jo is a qualified teacher who worked in primary and special schools in East London, coordinating the curriculum and leading on behaviour management strategies. Jo established and managed two PfS centres and was first appointed to PfS in April 1998. Jo has worked for QiSS, with London Challenge Schools, on collaborative projects and on research in ways to best demonstrate the impact of study support. For two years Jo worked for a local authority as a coordinator of learning outside the classroom and managed the Children’s University activities and European Interreg projects before deciding to focus on PfS and RHA. Jo now has a responsibility for coordinating the marketing, promotion and publicity of PfS nationally and supports 13 centres.
Jo combines work with being a mother to three young children.
anne@rexhallassociates.com
Anne Timothy has worked in childcare, community development and third sector organisations. Between 2000-2008 she worked in a local authority, becoming a strategy manager as part of its school improvement service. She has supported and advised over 200 schools and numerous local authorities and has worked in a number of regional roles contributing to writing national policy documents both as a writer and as an advisor.
Anne has considerable experience in managing people and has exceptional leadership skills around strategic planning and translating theory and concepts into practice.
Anne has taught economics, law and business studies. She has facilitated local, regional and national conferences by delivering presentations and workshops. In her role as the QiSS regional coordinator for the NE and Y&H she currently advises 27 local authorities on their strategy around study support and collaborative approaches to extended services.
Anne is a member of the Chartered Management Institute and currently runs her own consultancy business – AT Consultants for Change Ltd.
Partnership development with clubs, administration and the national conference the National Conference
allison@rexhallassociates.com
Allison Tripney is a National Critical Friend for PfS. She has worked in education for over ten years and is currently Education Development Manager at West Bromwich Albion Football Club. A qualified English and psychology teacher, Allison has been head of English at a secondary school, PfS centre manager at WBA FC and a strategy manager for the extended schools team in Sandwell. She has contributed to the organisation of the PfS national conference over the last two years.
martin@rexhallassociates.com
Martin Turnbull is Centre Manager at Swindon Town FC and Managing Director of the charity STFC Study Centre. The centre is an accredited Apple Education Regional Training Centre and we work with DACTA as a Lego Robotics Centre. Martin established PfS South West (21 study centres) as a regional charity who are now partnered with the Learning Institute and Exeter University.
Previously Martin was a self employed education consultant, managing an education project in the Designer Outlet Village in Swindon, he lectured at Oxford Brookes University, helped run a summer school in Tower Hamlets and contributed to several education publications. Prior to this work he was an education adviser for Wiltshire CC with responsibility for geography/environmental education, managed the Construction Industry Training Board contract and worked as an Ofsted Inspector. Martin has ten years of secondary teaching experience.
ICT consultant and webmaster
imran@rexhallassociates.com
Imran Malik is currently the PfS centre manager of Watford Learning Centre - WFC and also the ICT Coordinator for PfS Hertfordshire County Council. Previous work included work as an IT technician, Operations Manager and ICT project manager for Hitchin LearnIT. Imran has worked in the IT industry for 18 years as a programmer, systems analyst and project manager. Imran joined RHA as an ICT consultant in 2006 providing advice and technical support and managing the PfS website/ RHA website, graphic design and email systems.
RHA ADMINISTRATION
tracey@rexhallassociates.com
Administration Manager
Tracey Jones joined Rex Hall Associates on 1st April 2008 to set up the administration base in the West Midlands. Tracey has worked within a school environment for the last 12 years in various administration/support staff roles. She also worked for The Football Association before joining RHA.
Administrative Assistant
karen@rexhallassociates.com
Karen Detheridge joined the RHA team in April 2009 and she is based in the RHA office. Karen has worked for Bass Brewers Ltd on sponsorship and brands marketing, she also has support/admin experience within Human Resources and IT. Most recently she contributed a wide variety of work to support and develop her family business and to bring up her two children
December 2009