Fiona is an experienced educational leader with over 20 years of expertise in school improvement, inclusion and system leadership. As Headteacher of Ryhope Junior School, she has led sustained improvement, securing a strong culture of excellence, innovation and opportunity for all children. Her work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or need, can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. 

Alongside her headship, Fiona serves as an Associate SEND Advisor for Together for Children Sunderland, supporting schools across the city to strengthen inclusive practice, leadership capacity and evidence-informed improvement. She develops and delivers leadership coaching programmes for school leaders and has recently presented nationally on effective school improvement and inclusion. 

Fiona is a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of technology in education. She has led the installation and implementation of an immersive classroom at her school, creating innovative learning experiences that enhance engagement, accessibility and curriculum enrichment. Through collaboration with British Esports and Sunderland's local authority, she has also contributed to projects exploring the role of AI, digital innovation and EdTech in developing future-ready skills, strengthening inclusion and supporting system-wide educational transformation. Her work focuses on harnessing technology to improve outcomes, increase equity and prepare young people for an increasingly digital world.