Rachel Gillett

Rachel’s teaching career began after graduating with a BEd (Hons) degree from Newman College, then affiliated to the University of Birmingham. She joined BCU in September 2019 after teaching for 24 years in Shropshire, where she taught across the Early Years and Primary age phases.

Rachel held a variety of leadership roles including a Deputy Headship in Telford for 16 years. She also completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) through the National College for School Leadership and completed an Acting Headship during the secondment of the substantive Headteacher,

Rachel was a Mathematics Subject Leader, completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Specialist Primary Mathematics (MaST) with Edgehill University and Professional Development Leadership Accreditation through the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).

Rachel was a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) with specific expertise in social, emotional and mental health needs. She was the Future in Mind representative, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Designated Teacher for Children in Care and Stonewall Champion. She is passionate about ensuring all pupils have the right support at the right time.

Rachel was a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Mathematics and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities certified by the National College of School Leadership and appointed through the Severn Teaching Alliance. In this role she was deployed locally and regionally to address identified areas for improvement to bring about sustained change.

Rachel works with the National Maths Hubs network and is a member of a working partnership with other Initial Teacher Training providers to drive improvement in maths education and ensure that subject specific expertise and pedagogical knowledge is shared with teachers at the very start of their careers.