Victoria Allen
School Partnership Facilitator

Profile

Biography

I joined the Department of Education at the University of York as a School Partnership Facilitator in January 2020. My role spans the design, delivery and quality assurance of the PGCE programme, including mentoring, teaching on the Schools, Community and Society (SCS) programme, and contributing to the selection of Beginning Teachers.

I work closely with partner schools to support the development of placements, mentors and Beginning Teachers, ensuring a high-quality and coherent training experience. I take a bespoke approach to placement matching, supporting Beginning Teachers to develop across a range of contexts while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships across the partnership.

A key aspect of my work is the design and delivery of mentor training and professional development. I have been involved in developing a comprehensive suite of training resources, supporting mentors across the partnership and contributing to a more consistent and research-informed mentoring experience.

I am committed to a collaborative approach, “Empowering Excellence Together”, and to building strong, sustainable partnerships that support the development and retention of the next generation of teachers.

Career

I have over 20 years’ experience teaching in secondary schools across the 11–18 age range, including Geography, PSHE and Religious Studies, in both North Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire. During this time, I held a range of curriculum and pastoral leadership roles, including Head of Geography and Head of Year, developing both subject provision and student support systems.

Prior to joining the university, I was a Lead Practitioner of Teaching and Learning. In this role, I worked closely with new and developing teachers in an advisory and coaching capacity, observing practice and providing targeted strategies to support high-quality teaching. I also contributed to the design, delivery and quality assurance of whole-school CPD, supporting colleagues across departments to develop their practice.

While I continue to value the impact of classroom teaching, I am particularly motivated by the opportunity to support the development of Beginning Teachers. It is a privilege to contribute to the growth of practitioners who will go on to make meaningful contributions to their pupils, their communities and the wider profession.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and travelling, as well as spending time with family and friends. I have three children and a dog, all of whom keep life busy and fulfilling, while also ensuring I get out for regular walks and time in nature, something I value as a way to pause and recharge. I also enjoy live music and take any opportunity to experience it.