Dr Lynda Dalkin

My teaching background began in UK secondary education, teaching ages 11-18. Having completed a Bachelor of Education degree in 1984 I spent 20 years teaching in Newcastle upon Tyne as a teacher of Design Technology and Art/Textiles. I held multiple school leadership roles for 18 of these 20 years beginning as Assistant Head of House then as Head of Technology creating a new team encompassing subjects of Information Technology, Design Technology, Art and Business Studies. From this position I was appointed as Assistant Head Teacher then Deputy Head Teacher of a Technology College in Newcastle. Strategic projects that I worked on during this time include the Specialist Schools Programme, University of the First Age, and Education Action Zones.

I concluded my career in Newcastle as Director of a Small Education Action Zone which included five primary schools and one secondary school. During this period of time, I achieved a Master of Education (MEd) degree and was one of the first cohort to study and achieve the National Professional Qualification of Headteachers (NPQH).

While engaged in this leadership position at Newcastle I was invited to join Oxford University, Balliol College as a Fellow where I engaged in research to support young people from challenging social circumstances to join Oxbridge Universities.
Leaving Newcastle, but not the north-east, I became Head Teacher of a secondary school in Cumbria for ten years. I am proud to have been involved in the development of the Local Delivery Platform working in partnerships with social care, health and police.

Retiring from headship but not from education, I spent a year seconded to the school improvement division of Cumbria Education Authority. Continuing independently, I spent a further four years as an Education Consultant primarily involved as a critical mentor for headteachers and senior leadership teams supporting also to embed Coaching and Mentoring programmes in schools.

Finally returning to Northumberland where I live, I joined University of Sunderland to complete a much-neglected doctorate, successfully attaining a Professional Doctorate (ProfD) with a focus on leadership and identify formation.

I have been most fortunate to have spent every day of my career involved in a profession I have loved. I am privileged now to work with PGCE trainees with an opportunity of sharing this love of education and the many experiences I have enjoyed.