Mrs Tomlinson's Stories

Shabnam Cadwallander

Shab is an experienced headteacher who is now a lecturer in Primary Ed (Race & Education) at Leeds Beckett University and an Educational Consultant with DewDrop Education.

Tess Barker

Tess was born in New York City and lived there until she was 2. She now lives in Fulham, London.

Shaun McInerney

Education Consultant and Senior Project Coordinator Changemaker education   at Ashoka UK and co-lead Team at the Impact Trust. He is also a very good friend of Mrs Tomlinson.

Noah Whitfield

Noah is 5 and a brilliant learner and story teller. He loves wildlife and likes using his binoculars to go bird watching with his grandad. Noah's uncle works at Barrowford Primary School.

Charlotte-May Tomlinson

May attended Barrowford Primary School and went on to be Head Girl at All Saints High and then a Head of School at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School. She is applying to university at the moment and Mary Shelley is one of her favourite authors and role models.

May is Mrs Tomlinson's daughter!

John Rees

John Rees is an experienced teacher, trainer and consultant with more than 25 years educational leadership experience.  John is passionately committed to improving the achievement and life chances of children and young people, through the professional development of individuals and organizations.
He is a very good friend of Mrs Tomlinson.

Lord Jim Knight

Lord Knight of Weymouth is a Labour Life peer who has sat under this title in the Lords since 23 June 2010. His full title is The Rt Hon. the Lord Knight of Weymouth, and his given name is James Philip Knight. Prior to joining the Lords, he sat in the Commons as an MP, and was first elected in 2001. Lord Jim was a Minister of State for Schools. More importantly, he is a friend of Mrs Tomlinson!

MC Tully

Marie Clare is the CEO of Columba 1400 Leadership Academies.  Marie Clare is also Chair of the charity SiMBA who provide vital support to bereaved parents affected by the loss of a baby at any stage during pregnancy by creating memories, trees of tranquillity, family rooms and support groups. She also served on The Promise Partnership Advisory Group which is an investment of £4m from Scottish Government intended to deliver change in line with Scotland’s commitment to creating capacity in the ‘care system‘ to #KeepThePromise and provide holistic family support.

She is a friend of Mrs Tomlinson

Mike Armiger

Mike works within many areas but particularly; young people affected by trauma and emotional distress, care experienced children, suicide prevention and sport. He is a former Head of educational provisions specifically for young people affected by trauma, care experienced children and children with SEND and mental health needs. He also works with universities on models and approaches to student wellbeing.  Mike also advises on creation of specialist care & education provisions, trains nationally and internationally and is the author of the Regulation framework- A whole school system and support planning framework for young people affected by trauma. Mike also works within mental health services and trains health professionals in suicide prevention/mitigation including response & assessment tools, supported the creation of www.stayingsafe.net .

He is a very good friend of Mrs Tomlinson but definitely NOT her Welsh twin!

Sally Ann Hart

My name is Sally Ann Hart worked with Northamptonshire County Council as a specialist teacher for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Sally-Ann now offers training and mentoring via the Protective Behaviours Training Partnership.

Pita Oates

Pita is the County Lead for Alternative Provision & Elective Home Education for Lancashire County Council and is passionate about equity for young people.

Pita is a friend of Mrs Tomlinson.

Anita Ghidotti-Gibson

Anita is the CEO of Pendle Education Trust. Colne Primet Academy and West Craven High Technology College, where many of our pupils move on to, are part of Pendle Education Trust.

Anita is also a friend of Mrs Tomlinson.

Julie Daulby

Jules Daulby specialises in inclusion and literacy. She has worked in education for 25 years and regularly speaks and writes on SEN issues. She has also appeared on Sky TV and given evidence to the Education Select Committee on preventing exclusions through inclusive practice.

She is a friend of Mrs Tomlinson.

Narinder Gill

 Narinder Gill has worked for over 2 decades in the educational field, successfully leading three schools as a head teacher. Her last school was the subject of her recent publication ‘Creating Change in Urban Settings’ which charts the journey and impact of curriculum and leadership development during challenging times. Narinder is a Strategic Director for the Curriculum Foundation. Since 2015 Narinder has been working on the development of the Curriculum in South Sudan. Narinder is a development coach for Ambition Institute supporting the Future Leaders programme and a School Improvement Advisor for Elevate Multi-academy Trust.

Coco 

Coco is 9 and lives in London. She is an amazing reader and an honorary member of Barrowford community and a role model for Mrs Tomlinson. 

Emily Burnett

Emily is from Cardiff, Wales and on 1st December 2019 was the winner of the 2019 BAFTA Children's TV awards for Best performer for her role as 'Charlie' in the CBBC Drama The Dumping Ground. She recently completed filming in the regular role of 'Jas' in the CBBC Comedy Series 'So Awkward'

Lena Carter

Lena has been teaching and working in education since 1992. She trained in England and taught Drama and Modern Languages in Cambridgeshire, London and Cumbria before moving to Scotland. Early in her career, she also trained in Dramatherapy and Counselling Skills and this training gave her very useful insights into the emotional needs of children and young people, as well as nurturing practices. She is the Head of Teaching and Learning in a secondary school. She writes and speaks extensively on a range of issues related to values, inclusion and equity and is an advocate for challenging stigma around mental health. She does so from the perspective of a professional human and draws on her own lived experience to help others. You can read her blog here: https://lenabellina.wordpress.com/

Lena is also a friend of Mrs Tomlinson.