I entered the teaching profession in 1990, motivated by a desire to promote equality of opportunity for the most disadvantaged children. I taught in areas of social deprivation in Bristol and South Wales, before becoming Headteacher of a junior school in South Gloucestershire and then a primary school in Cardiff. After a career break, I returned to teaching in 2017, becoming Assistant Head at SGS Pegasus in April 2020 before taking over as interim Headteacher in September 2021.
Away from school, I have four children, two grandchildren and a passion for birds and wildlife. Having lived most of my life on either side of the Severn, I am a life-long supporter of both Wales and Bristol City.
Louise Davies is our new Headteacher. She has previously worked as part of the leadership teams in large and highly successful South Gloucestershire and Bristol secondary schools. She brings a wealth of key stage 4 and 5 leadership experience to the role and is passionate about the value of vocational education. A modern languages teacher by training, she has a Master’s degree in Film.
In her spare time she is a trustee of an addiction recovery charity and before joining the teaching profession, worked in voluntary sector management and was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve.
I am honoured and delighted to be the new Headteacher of The Forest High School.
We are now almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges it has caused young people and the pressures it has placed on schools show no signs of easing any time soon. Our students’ safety and wellbeing will always be my overwhelming priority. But I am determined that the challenges and pressures of the pandemic do not stop your children getting the best teaching, the best support and the best opportunities.
I have been a teacher for more than twenty years and Headteacher of two successful secondary schools, both of which I helped become popular with local families and inclusive of all students.
I live in Cardiff with my husband, our two adopted children and our dog. My family are very important to me and inspire me every day. I am really looking forward to getting to know you all and working with you to make this the best school it can possibly be.