Tara started teaching in 1994. By her second year of teaching she was in charge of KS4 English. She started as Literacy Co-ordinator at Fir Vale School in 1999 and has been a leader at all levels, from being Head of English to mentoring NQTs and ITT students. She was recognised as an Inspirational Leader in 2009. She has led various initiatives, including behaviour for learning, classroom management, developing effective relationships with pupils, marking, literacy and encouraging reluctant readers!
Her experience of adopting a son twelve years ago led her to research attachment disorder and the importance of developing healthy and safe relationships in school. She used this to contribute to the school’s Healthy Minds project. In 2021, with reading a major priority for the school, Tara began her most recent role; teacher in charge of reading for lower-attaining pupils. 76% of her Y8 reading class made faster-than-chronological progress from September 2021 to January 2022. 62% made over 11 months of progress in just three months.
