Shelley Desborough

Executive Head of the Trust’s West Village Partnership

Shelley Desborough has been working at The Cam Academy Trust for almost seven years, bringing a wealth of experience to primary school education. Shelley’s role for the past year includes driving improvement and innovation to three of the Trust’s primary schools: Offord Primary, Everton Heath and Gamlingay Village Primary – known as the West Village Partnership.

Where were you working before joining The Cam Academy Trust?

“I became Headteacher of a Cambridgeshire County Council local authority school called Gamlingay First School in 2015. Following a consultation process involving myself and the local governing body, we joined The Cam Academy Trust in April 2016, as the first primary phase school and subsequently became Gamlingay Village Primary.” 

What’s your favourite thing about the role?

“My favourite part about the role and the West Village Partnership is getting to work in collaboration with each other under one vision - to promote and inspire outstanding education across the three schools and achieve excellence for all. This working relationship has allowed me and my colleagues the opportunity to develop our careers and provide a greater sharing of resources and best practices, all whilst strengthening their subject knowledge and leadership. In turn, our pupils have access to a high-quality curriculum and learning environment whilst allowing them to achieve their full potential.”

What do you find useful or positive about being part of The Cam Academy Trust?  

“Since becoming part of The Cam Academy Trust, I’ve found the support network within the Trust to be excellent. It’s great to work in an environment where everyone is approachable, willing to offer assistance and always ensures that the best interests of the pupils and the staff is put first.”

How has working for The Cam Academy Trust provided you with opportunities (including training or CPD) or links you might otherwise not have made? 

“Over the seven years I’ve been a part of the Trust, I’ve been fortunate to have been provided with a range of career development opportunities. This includes supporting the development of training programmes for staff, being able to undertake my National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership, being given Secondary School Admissions Test support and getting to attend various conferences.  

“The Trust has also supported me to become a part of the Chartered College of Teaching, participate in collaborative approaches to school development and given me the chance to work with several schools, as well as within my own which is what gave me the experience and skills to take on my Executive Leadership role when the opportunity arose.”

 

Excellence For All