Mrs Gascoigne – Executive Headteacher

With over 20 years of experience in education, I have had the privilege of holding a wide range of roles including classroom teacher, subject leader, Early Years leader, Assistant Headteacher, and Deputy Headteacher. My journey has been rooted in a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to providing the highest standards of teaching and learning for every child.

I have supported the local authority as an Early Years moderator and contributed strategic insight as a governor within the Wrockwardine Wood Infant School and Oakengates Nursery Federation. In recent years, I have further strengthened my leadership through the completion of the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), a process which has developed my confidence, reflective practice, and strategic thinking.

Since 2017, I have played a key role in leading Oakengates Nursery School, working alongside the previous Executive Headteacher to drive school improvement and build a strong, collaborative team. In 2020, the nursery was graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in Leadership and Management and Behaviour and Attitudes, reflecting the high standards we uphold.

Throughout my leadership, I have been committed to developing high-quality teaching, designing a curriculum that is ambitious, progressive, and rooted in early years pedagogy. I am particularly proud of introducing the Curiosity Approach and leading the development of the Early Years art curriculum, drawing on research-based practice to ignite creativity and language development.

A strong advocate for professional development, I work closely with staff across the federation through mentoring, coaching, and training. This includes supporting Early Career Teachers and curriculum leaders to strengthen subject knowledge and practice. As a result, Oakengates Nursery School is recognised as a ‘Communication Friendly Setting’, with notable impact on children's language and communication outcomes.

As Designated Safeguarding Lead, I place children's safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. I lead on safeguarding training and provide supervision to other DSLs. I work closely with external partners to ensure families receive timely and effective support.

My role also encompasses operational leadership, including experience in financial planning and school improvement strategy. I have developed a deep understanding of the systems and structures that underpin successful school leadership, including governance, attendance, and curriculum planning from birth to age seven.

I am passionate about the power of a positive school culture – one that values each child as unique, nurtures social-emotional development, and inspires a love for learning. I am committed to building on the strengths of our federation, working in partnership with our dedicated team, families, and governors to ensure every child thrives.

It is a privilege to lead Wrockwardine Wood Infant School and Oakengates Nursery Federation – a community that embodies our shared vision of Love, Laugh, Learn.