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Francesca Darke

Francesca Darke

Vice Principal- Academic

After studying English Language and linguistics at the University of York, I began my teaching career 20 years ago, moving from a Japanese state school to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and then to the blue collar workers of Berlin: three experiences that profoundly emphasised the importance of education for all.  

I then did my English PGCE at the University of Oxford and developed a keen interest in language and literacy development: particularly language and literacy impairments.  As a newly qualified teacher, I led whole-school support programmes for Year 12 students struggling to acquire basic, core skills, and concurrently completed a Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge in psychology and education. I specialised in dyslexia and investigated both its neurological and physiological manifestations as well as the practicalities of ameliorating those specific language difficulties in the mainstream, inclusive classroom.  

I have worked at Hethersett Academy for 13 years as a Senior Advisory Teacher for Dyslexia, an English Teacher, Head of English, Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning and now as Vice Principal Academic. I am especially interested in raising standards for the most disadvantaged and in providing equal access to education for every student.