Rachael Pryor

Associate Trainer, Consultant

Rachael is a Bristol based practioner who has been a Classroom teacher, SENDco, Teacher Coach, Inclusion Lead, and Headteacher.

Rachael also has nine years experience as a Virtual School Headteacher (VSH) for Children in Care. She has led on initiatives for inclusion across her local area such Relationship Based Behaviour policies, Belonging Strategy, Attendance, Alternative Learning and Safeguarding.

Currently a Doctoral Student, Rachael is studying Transition from Primary to Secondary School from the perspective of Children in Care.

Drawing on her 30 years experience in education and Master's study of coaching to improve outcomes, she supports leaders to develop sustainable ways of working with their teams to have a positive impact on both wellbeing and outcomes.

Show Rachael's experience and qualifications


Dates Description
2022 - Present Programme Lead and Coach for Virtual School Headteachers (VSH) New to Role
2022 - 2023 Visiting / Associate Lecturer in Education University of the West of England (UWE)
2020 - 2023 NAVSH (National Association of Virtual School Headteachers) Trustee and Research Lead
2019 - 2022 Head of Service - Inclusive City and Virtual School Headteacher, Bristol City Council
2014 - 2019 Headteacher - The HOPE, Bristol’s Virtual School for Children in Care
2014 - 2014 Interim Virtual School Headteacher - The HOPE, Bristol’s Virtual School for Children in Care
2007 - 2014 Headteacher - Filton Avenue Junior School, Bristol
2005 - 2007 Deputy Headteacher - St Matthias and Dr Bells Church of England Primary School, Fishponds
2004 - 2005 Teacher Coach - Bristol Local Authority
2002 - 2004 Assistant Head and SENCO – Embleton Primary School
1996 - 2002 Class Teacher and SENCo – Hillfields Junior / Primary School
1992 - 1996 Class Teacher - Manor Court Primary School, Chard, Somerset
Qualification Organisation Date
Doctor of Education, 'Perspectives from children in care on primary to secondary transition, a case study' University of The West of England 2024
Primary Executive Headteacher Programme Certificate 2013
NPQH Headship Qualification 2006
Master of Education with Distinction - Pathway of SEN, Inclusion, coaching and School leadership University of Bristol 2004
Bachelor of Education (Qualified Teacher Status) 2:1 Hons Brighton Polytechnic, Early Years of Education 1992
Title Publisher Date
Perspectives on transition from primary to secondary school from children in care and their corporate parents Doctorate thesis - UWE Bristol Research Repository 2024
Disciplinary behaviour management strategies in schools and their impact on student psychosocial outcomes: A systematic review NIHR Open Res 2024
Improving the effectiveness of virtual schools University of Exeter 2023

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