Who We Are
Meet the HISP Teaching School Hub team.
Amanda Parry OBE
Director
Amanda is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the HISP MAT and Executive Headteacher of Portswood Primary School. She is also the Director of the HISP Learning Partnership which includes the HISP Teaching School Hubs, HISP Research School, the Solent Maths Hub, the Hampshire and Dorset Science Learning Partnership and the Hampshire SCITT Partnership. She is currently the Regional Delivery Partner for the DfE Trust and School Improvement Offer (SESL). As a system leader, Amanda has undertaken school improvement work across both primary and secondary schools.
David Higginbottom
Deputy Director
With 12 years teaching experience, as a Geography teacher in the secondary sector and with teaching experience in the primary sector, David is now the Deputy Director of HISP Teaching School Hub and the Primary Programme Lead for the Hampshire SCITT Partnership. He has been a Sixth Form Coordinator for Geography, a pastoral tutor, and an accredited Lead Practitioner. David has worked with trainee and early career teachers for much of his career, supporting and mentoring PGCE trainees, ECTs and facilitating training for School Direct and SCITT trainees. He has presented at numerous national teaching and learning conferences and has delivered evidence informed CPD to colleagues within multiple school settings.
James Schillemore
Early Career Framework Lead
James is the ECF Lead for HISP Teaching School Hub. James has 14 years of teaching experience in primary education. Alongside his role with HISP Teaching School Hub, he is also the Lead Mentor for Portsmouth SCITT. Prior to his current role, James has been a senior leader of education: most recently as phase leader and English subject lead at Stamshaw Junior School in Portsmouth. James is passionate about educational achievement for all and developing others to become outstanding teachers. James is also an education and curriculum writer. His writing experience includes designing training for NASBTT's Mentor Development Modules, print articles for education magazines and journals and presentations for the Institute of Government and Public Policy.
Kate Walker
Appropriate Body Services Lead
Kate is Appropriate Body Services Lead for the HISP Teaching School Hub. She has 11 years' experience teaching Secondary and Sixth Form learners. With eight years leading professional development frameworks for NQT/ Early Career Teachers, facilitating Initial Teacher Training routes and designing CPD programmes for aspirational teachers across all phases. Kate has a real passion for identifying talent, coaching best practice and nurturing success in others. Kate brings valuable knowledge and experience to assist the TSH Appropriate Body team, having also worked in HR Learning and Development prior to moving into the Education sector.
Emma Gerrard
Appropriate Body Coordinator
Emma is the Appropriate Body Coordinator for HISP Teaching School Hub. Holding a GNVQ Level 2 in Business Administration, Emma brings a wealth of administration experience to the role. In her previous role working for the NHS, Emma had oversight of the running of a busy Operating theatre, managing good communication between multiple professionals. On a personal level, Emma enjoys spending time with her family, especially her son. She loves camping trips and late-night beach walks with the dog.
Molly McBurnie
Programmes Coordinator
Molly is the Programmes Coordinator for HISP Teaching School Hub. She has worked in several consumer facing roles and alongside administration experience, brings experience of how to ensure customer satisfaction to the work of the team. In her spare time, Molly loves to spend time with her family, including her two young children and the family dog.
Candice Langley
Events & Communications Coordinator
Candice is the Events & Communications Coordinator for the HISP Learning Partnership, and her admin responsibilities extended across HISP Teaching School, HISP Research School and the Hampshire & Dorset Science Learning Partnership. With over 10 years of experience in event management, marketing, sales and working as an Executive Assistant, Candice supports HISP Teaching School with event management duties and she oversees the hubs marketing strategy. In her spare time Candice loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Katie Calver
Programmes Coordinator
Katie is the Programmes Coordinator for HISP Teaching School Hub. Katie has spent the last 22 years as a customer service manager within a retail setting. During this time, she has managed large teams of colleagues and gained a wealth of administrative and HR knowledge. Katie also holds a level 3 diploma in childcare and education.
In her spare time Katie loves to spend time with her young family and going on long walks with the dog.
Wendy Precious
Administration Assistant
Wendy is the Teaching School Hub Administration Assistant. Her role is to support the team within the Teaching School Hub. An Early Years Education graduate, Wendy has 20 years of experience within Early Years settings and 10 years as a manager.
On a personal level Wendy likes to spend time with her children, long walks with friends and taking part in various sports.
Naomi Vella
Finance & Executive Support Officer
Naomi is the Finance and Executive Support Officer for HISP Multi Academy Trust. She offers finance support to the Teaching School Hub as well as the HISP Learning Partnership as a whole, together with support to the Executive team.
Naomi's background was mainly in the banking sector, conducting all roles from Personal Banker to Branch Manager and then into training and development. Next came a change of direction and a property business focusing on professional HMO's.
Working now with HISP, Naomi has the challenge she wants, along with precious time to spend with her young son.
John Theobald
HR Officer
John is the Human Resources Officer, proudly supporting the HISP Learning Partnership team. He has over 20 years of generalist HR experience in the hospitality and healthcare industries. His qualifications include a postgraduate diploma in Personnel Management and a Masters degree in Occupational Psychology.