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Our Staff

Our greatest asset at the Isle of Wight Education Federation is our fantastic team of dedicated, experienced and caring staff. They are highly motivated and passionate about what they do. All staff share a collective goal of providing the best possible educational experience for our students. 

With a staff team of over 300 individuals, we are one of the larger employers on the Island and we are committed to supporting and developing our staff. Whether you join us as an experienced senior leader, a newly qualified teacher or even an apprentice, you will receive all of the support you need to flourish in your career. 

The staff members below have kindly shared their experiences so far. 

Miss N Bracegirdle – Federation Faculty Lead: Technology

I joined the IWEF as Federation Leader for Technology in September 2019 after teaching in schools in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Working in a fast paced environment across three sites is never dull but working with such talented, knowledgeable and passionate staff  and students is my favourite part of the role. The ethos of the IWEF is clear from the moment you step inside any of the buildings, ASPIRE and ACHIEVE. Every member of staff wants the very best for our students and the local community. 

I have been empowered to make changes and developments that have seen huge investment in the technology curriculum, from state of the art equipment through to inspirational school trips. I have always felt heard and valued, and this is evident in the support and encouragement I have received whilst undertaking my Masters in Educational Leadership. 

Mr J Briscoe – Teacher of Chinese & Film Studies

As a teacher of 17 years, the past ten of which have been at Carisbrooke, I’ve never been more fortunate to teach subjects that I love than I am right now.

Having lived in China for many years I introduced the Chinese GCSE to the language department at Carisbrooke College back in 2015 and am immensely proud of both how popular and successful it has been. Having studied Film at university, I now also teach everything from Hitchcock to Tarantino in A Level Film Studies at the VI Form.  

Enthusing students in the classroom is vital, however I also believe that travel can be one of the best forms of education a person can have. I’m never happier than when I’m hunting for Ashoka pillars in India or climbing active volcanoes in Indonesia and I most recently led a trip to China where students used their language skills on a daily basis. Later this year I will be taking a group of 30 students from across the Isle of Wight Education Federation community to Vietnam for an in-depth exploration of some of the key locations of the 1955-1975 conflict. 

Working within the IWEF community offers many opportunities, and is likely the only place in the world where I could be teaching the Chinese language one day, analysing Chinese films the next and going to China the day after.

Mr P Cronin – Teacher of Media & Film Studies

I have been teaching at Medina and the Island VI Form for seventeen years now, having come into teaching after a long career in the hospitality industry. My route into teaching came through coaching the Medina rugby team on a voluntary basis to start with. I took on a role as an LSA and then moved onto being a cover supervisor. After completing my initial teacher training I was successful in gaining the role of Teacher of English at Medina.

I have been immensely fortunate in being guided and supported by some amazing colleagues in the department and the wider federation and I put a lot of my own progression down to their unwavering and dedicated support. Having taught English at Medina for ten years I was given the opportunity to pursue one of my real passions and teach film and media at A level. We have been able to grow the department from a handful of students at the beginning to over ninety students taking the two subjects across years 12 and 13.

I have had the opportunity to lead international trips for students and have taken around one hundred students to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida over the past five years where they have worked alongside film and media professionals.

Miss K Elkin – Cover Supervisor

I joined in 2017 as a Learning Support Assistant before becoming a Cover Supervisor in 2020 and also being given the opportunity to teach Drama. I am currently studying at the Open University to complete my Sports and Fitness degree, with the view to become a PE/Dance Teacher.

After being a student at Medina College, it was a privilege to come back and share both my knowledge and experience in such a positive and enthusiastic environment.

Throughout my years working for the federation, I have had the pleasure of being involved in numerous school show performances and Dance Live, working with the fantastic students from across all three IWEF sites. The talent of our students is outstanding.

I have been supported and encouraged throughout my time here and am excited to see where my teaching career will take me.

Ms D Hickman – Human Resources Officer

I have always described working for IWEF as being part of a huge jigsaw puzzle; throw your piece into the box and sooner or later your piece will slot into the perfect place. This is certainly my experience.  

Having returned to the Island after originally being brought up here, I was appointed to the role of Administration Assistant in 2009. I taught PE part-time for a while, was then asked to manage Cover for Medina College, moved into the post of HR Officer for Medina College in 2011 and am now HR Officer for the Federation.

I enjoy working as part of the small HR team, which has a positive impact on the larger workforce, and also the teaching and learning of all of our students, at Carisbrooke, Medina and the Island VI Form.

Mr M Peake – Federation Lead for Behaviour and Safety

I have been part of the IWEF community for 14 years.  I started as a teacher of Physical Education and progressed on to become Head of Physical Education, Head of Faculty for the Physical and Creative area and now hold the position of Federated Lead for Behaviour and Safety as part of the senior leadership team and also the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Carisbrooke College site. I have been supported and encouraged throughout my time here to develop and grow in my career. 

Teaching has always been a passion of mine, but I also really enjoy ensuring students have opportunities outside of the classroom and this very much focuses on students taking part in extra-curricular opportunities to further develop their talents.  

Mrs S Tait – Family Liaison Officer

I first joined the federation in 2013, as a Student Support Officer at Medina College. I then spent 3 years as an Assistant Head of Year and started my current role of Family Liaison Officer across Carisbrooke College, Medina College and the Island VI form in October 2021. I absolutely love my role, and having the opportunity to support students and families from across the whole federation.

I have always felt extremely fortunate to be part of the IWEF community, to not only support our students and families, but to be supported myself as an employee and colleague.

Over the years I have been lucky enough to see thousands of children come through the federation and onto further education and then adulthood. Bumping into ex-students and being told of the impact you had on their life is priceless and is one of the many reasons that I love what I do, and why I love the federation, as we always work together for the best outcomes for children.

If you would like to arrange an informal chat about potential opportunities at the Isle of Wight Education Federation, please email HR@iwef.org.uk or call us on 01983 526523.