Andy Wilson

MA FCIPS

Director

Andy has worked in Local Government for some 30 years, specialising in Employee Relations and Schools HR issues, particularly Disciplinary and Performance Management. He headed a team of 30 professional HR Officers in Oldham Council and was the HR Professional Advisor to Dismissal Appeal Panels, including Schools. Andy was responsible for establishing a quarterly HR conference for all Oldham Schools, with packed agendas and attendances regularly in excess of 100 delegates. Andy is a Parent Governor at his local School.

He has previously served on several School Governing Bodies, including a variety of Faith Schools (Primary and Secondary), a special School as well as two F.E. Colleges and the University of Durham Council. He sat for 11 years on the Education Committee of Cleveland County Council and was a member of the Association of County Councils’ Education Committee. He was a member of the Schools Forum at Oldham Council, involved in inducting new Head Teachers, and a regular attender at both Secondary Heads’ and Primary Heads’ meetings. In addition to an Honours Degree in Politics and Modern History from Manchester University, Andy has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations and Employment Law from the Keele University, and a Diploma in Training Management.

Sophie Tothill

MSc MCIPS

Sophie Tothill graduated from Sheffield University with a BA Hons in Law and has recently completed an MSc in Human Resource Management, which she passed with Merit. She worked for 5 years as a Police Officer where she was involved in numerous School based investigations and formed strong relationships with the Schools in her community. During her time in Greater Manchester, Sophie set up and chaired the Association for Women in Policing. Strongly committed to the Equality and Diversity agenda, she frequently worked in partnership with the Police Federation and Unison. Sophie has also worked as a Divisional Change Manager and HR Consultant.

Specialising in Attendance, Sickness Reviews and Policy Development, Sophie’s work in a number of Oldham Schools has been instrumental in improving attendance levels, raising morale and providing a forward direction for staff policy and development. Sophie is a School Governor and volunteers as a Guide Leader in her spare time.

Dave Hewitt

MA

Until April 2011, Dave was Head of Schools’ HR for Lancashire County Council and responsible for providing a comprehensive HR consultancy to over 630 Schools and ancillary support services (approx. 25,000 employees). With a team of HR Consultants, he provided casework support to Head Teachers and Governing Bodies on a wide range of HR matters including discipline, grievance, capability, redundancy, child protection/safeguarding, pay and rewards, re-organisation, dignity at work, local disputes and other contractual issues. He also led on the Council’s employee relations, working with eight recognised Trades Unions on all Terms and Conditions of Service matters, the implementation of national agreements, model employment policies and procedures, and dispute resolution.

Dave is now an established freelance HR Consultant, providing support to a range of Schools and Academies in the North West. He holds an MA in Organisational Analysis and Behaviour.

Karen Puddephatt

MA

Karen has extensive experience in educational issues across various sectors and, as well as supporting the HR function of SHREC in an advisory capacity, is available for short, medium and long term support within Schools for initiatives and projects, and working with individual members of staff or groups, at all levels within both Primary and Secondary School organisations. She has considerable experience in delivering CPD. Her areas of expertise include leadership and management, assertive discipline, ‘learning to learn’ (brain based learning/accelerated learning), the ‘Investment in Excellence’ programme, raising attainment, boys’ underachievement, student councils, developing the gifted and talented, bid writing and staff and student motivation (especially preparation and motivation for GCSEs). She can also deliver Common Assessment Framework and Child Protection Training, as well as sessions in Creative Writing and Story Telling.

Julie Wood

CIOSH, OSHCR

Julie is qualified in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, with a proven track record. She has worked in the public sector for over 30 years in a diverse range of positions before moving into a dedicated Health and Safety role in 2000, initially as Lead Health and Safety Adviser for Children’s Services (including Schools) and then progressing to the corporate role of Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Oldham Council until April 2014.

Since leaving Oldham Council, Julie has become an established Health and Safety Consultant, registered on the HSE Occupational Safety and Health Consultants’ Register, (OSHCR). She now provides assistance and support to a wide range of Schools and Academies in the North West, including Bradford, Kirklees, Oldham, Trafford and Cheshire.

Julie is a chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (CIOSH), and was elected to serve on IOSH Greater Manchester Public Services Committee in 2005. This Committee supports health and safety across the North West Region. Having acted as Committee Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, she is currently Committee Treasurer.