Kate Hurley

Kate has spent more than 20 years’ experience in education, both in the state, independent and international sectors. Kate is a former Assistant Headteacher in a rural independent prep school in Devon and is now a freelance education consultant, inspector and digital learning designer.

As an inspector, Kate believes in rigorous evidence gathering to make informed and balanced judgements. Using a collegial approach that supports robust triangulation of evidence for a fair outcome, Kate sees the process as celebrating pupil outcomes and achievements as well as indicating areas of development to refine a school’s improvement focus.

A former DSL and SENCO, Kate is passionate about good practice in safeguarding and pastoral care, adaptive teaching and individualised learning. She holds a keen interest in equality, diversity, and inclusion and its active implementation in a school context. With extensive experience of operational and compliance management, she is also well versed in health and safety responsibilities and premises management. With roots in the early years, Forest School, and the performing arts, Kate believes strongly in the value of experiential and outdoor learning, innovative curriculum design and enrichment opportunities that engage learners to maximise pupil wellbeing and support ongoing achievement.

As a teacher panellist for the DfE’s Teacher Regulation Agency, Kate has strong evaluation skills and always demonstrates impartiality and open thinking. She volunteers within several community organisations to support them with their digital and social media profiles.