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St Margaret Ward
Catholic Academy
St Margaret Ward
Catholic Academy
I became Head of the Sixth form in 2013 and am very proud of the inclusive community that the dedicated members of the Sixth Form team have built. With a focus on academic excellence within a supportive but challenging environment, we build lasting relationships with our students; many are part of our thriving alumni community and maintain their links with the Sixth Form, often joining us to support careers days and other events and we always love to hear how our former students are doing.
New entrants at Sixth Form quickly and naturally assimilate into whole school life. Whether students move from our Year 11, or enter as new Sixth Formers, they are part of a community that has a strong academic ethic and a commitment to developing both the super-curricular activities that universities favour and the soft skills valued by employers.
The Sixth Form offers an independent approach to studies and encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning, under the guidance of a dedicated pastoral tutor team working with academic staff. All students take part in regular appraisal meetings with their personal tutor to monitor their progress and to maximise their potential.
My role is to oversee that the systems we have in place to support students run effectively, from academic monitoring, attendance, university applications, the independent learning and pastoral programme, to running events and trips to develop a broader understanding of post 18 opportunities. My role constantly evolves and no day is like the next!
Outside of my Sixth Form role, I also teach Geography which I absolutely love; it really is the best subject in the world!
I love the outdoors and enjoy walking but am always open to try new activities such as white water rafting and paragliding. I also love to paint to relax and fancy myself as the next Van Gogh (I’m definitely not!) and I read – a LOT! and am always ready to discuss books with colleagues , students … or anyone who will engage with me.
I am immensely proud of our Sixth Form students and feel privileged to work with such amazing young people.
Hi I’m Mr Proctor and I am a Y12 Fidei tutor, History A-Level teacher and 6th form mentoring lead.
Being a former Trinity Sixth Form student myself and ultimately graduating with a BA Honours in History from Keele University, I have a desire to assist and help students with their studies, career choices, apprenticeships and university selections amongst other things.
In Stoke-on-Trent, we need our young people to thrive and succeed to make the future prosperous. I have an ambition to help them achieve this.
I’m Miss Hosey the Sixth Form student support worker here at St Margaret ward and teacher of Health and Social Care. I have been in post since September 2013 and have the privilege of supporting students who embark on their academic journey. Every day is unique but my job involves tracking students’ attendance, bursary administration, liaising with the partner Trinity schools and offering support/advice to the year 12/13 cohort.
I am usually the first port of call with any student issues for example work worries, timetabling queries, bursary queries etc. I meet my counterparts from the partner schools to monitor students’ progress and ensure positive student wellbeing. In my spare time I enjoy horse riding, swimming and going on family walks.
I’m an A-Level Psychology teacher with a passion for exploring how the mind and behaviour work. With a First Class degree in Psychology and Counselling and a Distinction in my Master’s in Education and Management, I bring both academic knowledge and practical insight to my teaching.
My aim is to make psychology exciting and accessible, showing how it connects to everyday life and future careers. Whether it’s understanding what motivates people, discussing big debates like nature vs. nurture, or learning how to evaluate research, I love helping students discover the power of psychology.
I’m also a Fidei tutor, and I enjoy working with Year 12 students on essential life and academic skills like financial independence and revision strategies. We start each morning with prayer and often collaborate on engaging projects like student presentations. One of my favourites was a group-led discussion on men’s mental health, which sparked thoughtful conversations.
I believe in supporting students to think critically, develop their own ideas, and gain confidence in their abilities. Psychology isn’t just about studying—it’s about understanding the world and making a difference in it.
When I’m not teaching, I love escaping into the worlds of sci-fi, dystopian and fantasy fiction. There’s nothing better than discovering a great story and getting lost in its imagination and depth.
My name is Mrs Rushton and I am a Year 12 Fidei Tutor at St Margaret Ward Sixth Form. I teach the A Level Mathematics course to Years 12 and 13, as well as supporting students who are resitting their GCSE Mathematics.
I have been teaching at St Margaret Ward since 2018, but have been here much longer as I was a student here myself.
I now work with many of the amazing staff who supported me and am proud to be part of the Sixth Form Team.
Hello, I’ve been teaching history and politics at ‘A ‘level for over twenty years and am very experienced at supporting and guiding students to achieve. My degree is in history and political science subjects which both help shape individuals and the future. The study of both history and politics teaches people how to question, research and challenge. Not many state schools offer government and politics at A level but I’m proud to say that we do.
I have a strong commitment to our students and our Sixth Form and have been a Sixth Form Fidei Tutor for a number of years, helping students both pastorally and academically. In my spare time I read around history and politics, have restored classic cars and motorcycles and love nothing more than disappearing in my campervan when the weather obliges.
Originally from an engineering background I changed careers to become a Business and IT teacher many years ago! I have taught at SMW since 2013 and have somehow been pastorally led by Mrs Rhodes every year since then!
I first became a 6th form tutor in 2016 and I have specialised in Y13 in terms of future destinations i.e. university applications and apprenticeships. The Y13s spend 30 minutes with me every morning during which I offer my support in their applications giving the advice and support to ensure that they succeed in their personal statements and interviews. Then they all get supported with not only student finance and university life, living away from home but with revision techniques and being there as a person generally interested in their success.
I am constantly scouring for information to support students (to the point of being obsessive!) and these are always posted to students to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to embrace everything that is on offer to support their futures.
I also teach Business at L3 for which we have a success rate that consistently puts us in the top 20% of the country for results. Our past students have gone on to amazing destinations including Oxford, Durham etc to study subjects such as Law, English Literature, Economics, as well as gaining prestigious degree apprenticeships with world leading accounting firms.
I am very proud of the support that we offer to our 6th formers and from my personal experience I can attest that what we offer in the 6th form is above and beyond what other colleges provide.
I teach English and am a Year 13 Fidei Tutor. As such, I support students with their personal statements and UCAS applications as well as teaching the re-sit classes for those who still need to gain their English GCSE (particularly those students joining us from overseas, for whom English is not their first language). I hold a first class honours degree in English Language and Medieval Literature and won the Colin Stork Prize in Linguistics for my final dissertation.
I have lived, studied, worked and taught in a variety of diverse locations, from various UK cities to Eswatini (where I attended the United World College of Southern Africa to complete my sixth form studies), Tanzania (ten months teaching in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro) and Rwanda, also travelling extensively throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Following university, I spent four years as a VSO secondary school teacher in post-Genocide Rwanda before founding the Streets Ahead Children’s Centre Association for street kids in rural eastern Rwanda, with my husband in 2003. We ran the project ourselves until 2007, before handing over to local staff when our eldest son was diagnosed with complex special needs which necessitated a return to England.
Returning to teaching, I have now worked at SMW for fifteen years. In 2019, I won both the Hedgehog Poetry Press competition for my collection of poems: The Pins that Pierce Her and the Sentinel Poetry Book Competition for: Class, dismissed.
My name is Miss Mirza. Born and brought up in France, and underwent education in the French school system until I turned 15. After which I permanently moved to the UK and continued my education in Yr 9. Since being a child, I always had a fascination with England, its language and culture, which meant I was always very keen and passionate during my English MFL lessons in France. I believe in destiny and callings in life, and I strongly believe fate pulled me here, as everything happens for a reason and nothing is a coincidence.
Since then, I’ve established a life for myself in a new country. I have 3 A* in Art, French and IT, a Fine Art degree and a Postgrad (PGCE) in French. My interests and hobbies are quite diverse, from fashion, martial arts, spirituality, and travelling to binge watching a Korean drama on Netflix. Working at SMWCA feels like being part of a warm and loving community of individuals. Teaching French not only keeps me connected to my roots and identity, but it also means I can broaden young minds and hearts towards living an enriching life filled with language, culture and potentially new opportunities that this career path leads to. I hope to keep on inspiring people around me!
I am currently in my 8th year at SMW. I teach A Level Sociology and Level 3 Health and Social Care. I have also taught geography, history and RE through my time here. I joined the 6th form team as a tutor in my second year and now support the 6th form in the role of Assistant Head. In my role I organise the 6th form Fidei curriculum as well as the English-Speaking Board qualification and alumni events. I also provide support in the day to day running of the 6th form.
I am known by many in school as the resident American. In my spare time I love to travel with my son and husband exploring new countries and cultures. I am passionate about education. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
I am a Year 13 Fidei Tutor and a member of the English Department. I have taught English, as well as Media Studies and History, in various secondary schools around Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire for over 20 years. In my role as a Year 13 Tutor, I offer support and guidance to students and help to facilitate the writing of impactful CVs and personal statements to give students the best opportunities in their continuing academic and vocational journeys.
Born in Manchester, I grew up in Chorley, Lancashire, lived for 10 years in Hanley and now live with my wife and teenage twins (one of each!) in Leek, Staffordshire. From this location, I enjoy rambling around the magnificent Roaches and the rest of the Peak District which, having little interest in sport or exercise for its own sake, is mainly how I stay active. I am a voracious reader and writer. My poetry has appeared in various journals including Stand Magazine and The Dark Horse and in 2018 I was shortlisted for the TLS Mick Imlah Poetry Prize. I may, at some point, be publishing a book (watch this space!)
