Leadership Case Studies
Need some inspiration, or wondering how other parents have fitted CPD into their schedules? We hope these stories of real mums and dads balancing their family commitments with their leadership development and aspirations give you the tips and direction you need. Just click on their lovely faces to read their stories in full.
Have a similar story? Help inspire other MaternityTeachers and PaternityTeachers by sharing it with the MTPT community. We’d love to hear from you!
Career Changes
Assistant Head of Teaching and Learning and CPD, Tracey-Ann Peynado (@ann4tracey), describes how three maternity leaves provided her with the opportunity to reflect on her career, develop her subject, pedagogical and leadership knowledge in order to prepare for new career opportunities.
Juggling Childcare
Head Teacher, Angie Browne (@nourishedschool), shares her top tips for finding and managing childcare as a school leader and coping with the feeling of always being late!
Being Decisive and Brave
Dawn Stow (@stowdawn), secondary English teacher, Head of Year and mother of two has just secured her first Associate Seat on her school’s SLT. Here, she describes how she used volunteering and observations to take control and complete strategic CPD whilst on maternity leave, to support her ambitions of becoming a senior leader.
The Big Decision
Former Director of English, James Ashmore (@ashmore_edu), SLE, education consultant and father of three talks about how taking shared parental leave benefitted the careers of both him and his wife, and improved the wellbeing of his whole family.
A Shift in Mindset
Sondos Bowker (@MrsB_NE), Head of English and mother of twins explains how reframing her understanding of CPD allowed her to feel professionally fulfilled on maternity leave, and take valuable wellbeing lessons back to school when she returned.
We Need to Learn, Try and Change the Rules
Interim Headteacher, and mum of one, Farihah Alam (@farihahalam), shares how taking on challenges during her maternity leave gave her the courage to step up to headship when she returned to school.
Don’t Be Afraid
Assistant Head and mother of one, Jennifer Webb (@funkypedagogy), shares the beliefs and experiences that have allowed her to balance senior leadership, writing a book, and parenting her toddler.
A Personal Choice
Mum of two and part time Head Teacher, Kanchana Gamage (@kanchanagamage) shares how she secured her first headship whilst on maternity leave with her first son, and her second whilst 8 months pregnant with her second! She shares pearls of wisdom around balancing motherhood and headship.
Studying for an EdD
Sarah Mullin (@MrsSarahMullin), school leader and 2018 Education Awards Nominee for Teacher of the Year explains how she used three maternity leaves to aid her career progression and build up towards a Doctorate in Education.
Exploring Ambitions
Mother of two and English teacher, Frances Ashton (@FKAEnglish) is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her second daughter. An Associate Senior Leader for T&L at her school, she outlines how she plans to use the coming months to continue developing her leadership skills.
Stepping In and Stepping Out
Assistant Head, English Teacher and North West London Advocate for The MTPT Project, Madeleine Fresko-Brown (@m_x_f) tells the story of stepping into her first leadership role when 8 months pregnancy. When she became pregnant a second time, she was delighted by the full support of her school as she continued her personal and professional journey as school leader and mother to two girls.
A Time to Say ‘Yes’!
Nikki Cunningham-Smith (@_MrsC_S) is an Assistant Head at a PRU in Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Advocate for The MTPT Project. She tells the story of how the time and head space offered by maternity leave gave her the opportunity to embrace new professional opportunities.
Space to See Things Clearly
Tess Tweeddale (@MrsTsixthform), our Hertfordshire Regional Representative, Deputy Head of Sixth Form, and mother to first baby girl, used her maternity leave to gain a promotion and improve her KS5 subject and administrative knowledge.
Every School is Different
Part time Lead Practitioner and Maths blogger, Jo Morgan (@mathsjem) is mother to two girls. She explains how discovering Twitter on transformed her second maternity leave and empowered her to move to a school with a more family friendly culture to balance her passion for teaching and the time she wanted to dedicate to her family. Check out some fabulous Maths resources on her award-winning blog.
My Choices
Claire Nicholls (@bristol_teacher), our South West representative, SENCo, and mother to first baby boy, explains how she used her maternity leave to develop her leadership skills.