Valerie Dunsford

Valerie graduated from Manchester University with a degree in French and PGCE in modern languages. Valerie has worked in both the maintained and independent sectors for over 30 years and was Headteacher at the independent Sheffield High School until retiring in 2018.

Areas of professional expertise include strategic planning, leadership development and the delivery of school improvement. Added to this, Valerie has also been a schools inspector for 15 years in the UK and abroad.

Having worked in both education sectors, Valerie is a passionate supporter of partnerships across the two with the aim of learning from best practice and improving outcomes for all children, regardless of background.

At Sheffield High School, Valerie works with 14 primary schools in the Sheffield South East Learning Partnership and on several programmes with secondary schools in Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley to achieve this sharing best practice to continually improve teaching and learning.

Valerie is also a member of the DfE’s Independent/State School Partnership Committee, meeting termly to continually break down barriers between the sectors and to provide a structure for funding and co-operation.