Meet Catherine Clarke

Assistant Headteacher, Winifred Holtby School Technology College

Catherine Clarke is now assistant headteacher at Winifred Holtby School Technology College, in charge of learning and innovation. Part of her role has included leading a successful maths strategy.

But just five years ago, she was a supply teacher. Catherine had returned to teaching as a stop-gap after spending some time in the business world as a sales manager. “I came as a supply teacher just to tide me over, then took on a contract for the term and here I am. The school just grew on me.”

Not that she has been letting the grass grow under her feet. She has focused her ambitions on moving ahead in her career.

“I have had fantastic opportunities to progress,” says Catherine. She has been on a number of courses, designed for teachers in “middle management” and is now studying for an MA in leadership and learning and is also following the Tomorrow’s Heads course run by the National College. “I have been supported to an incredible degree by the school and have had fabulous mentoring and coaching. I couldn’t have got where I am today without that support.”

Catherine adds that Hull has created an environment where professional development is seen as important in schools right across the city. “It’s a very supportive atmosphere.”

The development of Winifred Holtby as part of the £400 million Building Schools for the Future programme is also an exciting prospect, she says.

“We have been involved in planning the new school from very early on – so we are very excited about the new building.”

As a Hull girl, Catherine is pleased to live in the city again – though the views from her window are not quite what she was used to in her former life as a property sales manager in the Canaries. “People have this idea that Hull is very isolated but it’s very accessible. You can easily get to London, Manchester, York or Liverpool. It’s close to airports and we often use the ferry here to go to Europe and visit friends and family. It’s been really right for me to teach in Hull.”