Miss Doherty

My journey at St Helen’s began as a child, and I always hoped that one day I would return to the school as a teacher. When I began my teaching career, the school made a significant investment in my professional development, providing me with a wide range of CPD opportunities that strengthened and developed my teaching practice across both KS1 and KS2.
Very early in my career, I was encouraged and supported to take on leadership responsibilities, initially becoming Music Subject Leader before progressing to leadership of the core subjects of Religious Education, English and Maths. These opportunities were instrumental in developing my confidence and leadership capacity. Through attending network meetings and specialist courses, I was able to deepen my subject knowledge and develop a broader understanding of effective school leadership. I was also trusted to lead CPD for colleagues and chair network meetings, providing valuable opportunities to share expertise, influence practice and further develop my leadership skills.
As my career progressed, I moved into senior leadership and became Assistant Headteacher, a role I held for many years. One of the most fulfilling aspects of this role was being given responsibility for designing and developing the school’s CPD offer for teachers. This enabled me to support the professional growth of colleagues while also deepening my own understanding of how effective professional development can positively influence teaching and learning across a school.
The school continued to invest in my development, supporting me to undertake an MA in Catholic School Leadership as well as the NPQH. These programmes were transformative in developing my strategic leadership skills, strengthening my understanding of Catholic education and equipping me with the knowledge, confidence and experience to progress to Deputy Headteacher and ultimately into Headship.
Since becoming Headteacher, my professional development has continued to evolve in response to the changing needs of education and the school community. This has included specialist coaching and an apprenticeship to become a Digital Champion. This development has enabled me to strategically lead the school’s digital vision, enhancing practice, developing policy and ensuring that emerging technologies, including AI, are considered thoughtfully and responsibly within our educational context.
The impact of this sustained investment in my CPD has been significant, both in shaping my own career and, more importantly, in improving the quality of education we provide for the children we serve. Each stage of professional development has built upon the previous one, equipping me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead effectively and maintain a clear commitment to the highest standards of education.
Perhaps most importantly, my experience of being invested in and nurtured professionally has shaped my own approach to leadership. I am committed to creating a culture in which professional growth is actively encouraged and supported for everyone. Just as St Helen’s invested in my development throughout my career, I want to ensure that our staff and children are given the opportunities, encouragement and support they need to flourish, grow in confidence and achieve their full potential.