Rob Sharpe

I was born nearly 40 years ago in Birmingham to parents who were part of the well-documented 1950s migrants from Jamaica.  I was brought up in the district of Handsworth and my parents still live there. I attended Great Barr Comprehensive School (one of the largest schools in the UK).  Prior to starting my degree, I worked as a Billing Assistant in the offices of Severn Trent Water Authority for nearly one year.  This was during my 'year out' after A'levels.  It was always my intention to enter the teaching profession but I wanted to have a bit of 'life experience' before continuing with my education.  I then went onto Crewe & Alsager College of H.E (now Manchester Metropolitan University) where I gained a BEd 2i degree.  During vacation periods while studying for my degree, I used to return to Birmingham and engage in part-time employment.  I had a variety of jobs which included an administrative post at Severn Trent Water Authority, working in the laundry at Dudley Road Hospital and working for Birmingham Recreation and Services department ( I collected litter in a park!).  These were all great ways to find out about how others earned their living. My first teaching post was at Coppenhall County High School, in September 1987.  I contributed to the planning and implementation of Suffolk Co-ordinated Science, Equal Opportunities, Technology Across the Curriculum and Records of Achievement. I helped to raise money for local charities with pupils and through local sponsorship, I helped to improve the local environment by enlisting the help of year 10/11 students to construct an 'Adventure Playground' for use by children at a feeder Primary school I continued my education by studying for an Advanced Diploma in Education.

In September 1990, I taught at Moorside High School where I was Head of Biology & Key Stage 3 Science/Professional Development Co-ordinator and TVEI Manager for Learning Styles. Along with another middle manager, I acted as Professional Tutor for all Associate Teachers from Keele University who had placements at the school and I was responsible for mentoring Science Associate Teachers and for all professional development that took place in school (including all arrangements for staff training days), mentoring and assisting NQTs and new staff to the school, as well as organising Middle Management Training and Accreditation. I was an active member of an Equal Opportunities working party and I contributed to the formulation of a Policy Statement on Equal Opportunities, together with other members of staff, Governors, and students from years eleven to thirteen. I also worked with a team of staff within a consortium of schools to deliver Inset regarding teaching and learning styles in Science.

I helped to organise four Coastal Ecology field courses to Borth, Dyfed, with other Heads of Biology in Staffordshire for students undertaking A' Level Biology.  As a Sixth Form tutor, I was involved in planning and running Sixth Form 'Initiatives Days' that involved over 200 students from the Sixth Forms of three Moorland schools- Moorside, Cheadle and Blythe Bridge High Schools.  Once again, my own education was continued in that I successfully completed my Master's degree in Education.

In January 1995, I was Head of Science Faculty and Co-ordinator for Biology at Blythe Bridge High School.

I was a Sixth Form tutor for a short period of time and was responsible for a tutor group from Year 7 through to my time of departure.  I introduced a number of initiatives aimed at raising standards in Science.  I led the monitoring, evaluation and review of schemes of work in response to the Dearing recommendations. I went through an OFSTED inspection in 1995.  I secured additional funding for the Science Faculty by fostering close links with Keele University and by arranging for a lecturer from the university to teach science to a year 7 class on a fortnightly basis.  I was a member of a working group who were involved in the revision of a Policy Statement on Sex Education in association with PSHE staff, Health education staff from an external agency, Governors and Senior Management. 

In September 1998, I was Assistant Headteacher/Head of Sixth Form at Wadebridge School. I was a member of the senior leadership team and I also lead a team of 8 form tutors.  I also acted as line manager for a number of departments.  I taught Science at Key Stage 4, Biology, Sports Studies and PE at Key Stage 5 and PSHE in Year 11(working with a local police officer and the Brook Advisory service from Newquay).  I was involved in ‘Partner School’ development with the University of Exeter in Widening Participation- an initiative to widen participation at post-16/university level aimed at students from Year 9 upwards The school was inspected by OFSTED in 2001 and the Sixth Form was regarded in high esteem.  I took part in a video produced for the TTA in collaboration with the then Cornwall and Devon Careers Ltd and the College of St.Mark & St.John entitled “Teaching- the most important job in the world.”

In April 2003, I moved  to my current post- Deputy Headteacher at Penair School, a 1200 11-16 mixed comprehensive school and I am thoroughly enjoying my time here.  In part, it was as a result of my last promotion that I was nominated for the 'Windrush award 2003 for Education'.  I am the only black Deputy Headteacher of a Secondary School in Cornwall which has 31 Secondary Schools in total. While at Penair School, I successfully completed my NPQH.