ABOUT
At Cansfield, we believe that the heart of a great education lies in the people who make learning come alive every day.
Our staff is a community of passionate educators, skilled support workers, and caring leaders who are committed to helping every student reach their full potential.
Each member of our team brings unique talents, experience, and enthusiasm to our school. Together, we create a supportive and inspiring environment where students feel valued, challenged, and empowered to grow—both academically and personally.
Headteacher
I studied English Literature at university before training to become an English teacher with a PGCE at Edge Hill University. Teaching has always been a vocation for me, and I have been fortunate to spend much of my career here at Cansfield, a school and community that mean a great deal to me. Since first joining in 2000, I have held a variety of roles including Head of Faculty and Deputy Headteacher, and along the way I have completed several postgraduate qualifications such as the NASENCO Award, Leadership and Management MA courses, and the NPQH.
In 2020, I took on the role of Vice Principal in a large city centre school, which was an invaluable experience and gave me new perspectives on leadership and education. However, my heart remained at Cansfield, and I was delighted to return in 2023 as Director of Teaching and Learning before becoming Headteacher later that year.
Cansfield has always felt like home, and I am deeply proud of the warmth, ambition, and spirit that define our school. I believe passionately in working together as a community — staff, students, parents, and carers — to create the best possible opportunities for our young people. For me, education is about so much more than exam results; it is about helping students grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals who can shape their own futures and make a positive difference in the world.
It is a privilege to serve as Headteacher of Cansfield, and I am excited about the journey ahead as we continue to build on our strengths and support every student to achieve their very best.
Deputy Headteacher
As the Deputy Headteacher at Cansfield High School my role incorporates being the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Strategic Lead of Mental Health and Wellbeing. I am also a passionate History teacher and, in the past, have taught Geography, Life Studies and RE. To prepare me for this, I studied Historical Studies at Manchester University and then went onto to train to be a Secondary School Teacher at Liverpool Hope University. As part of my development whilst at Cansfield I have become a qualified SENDCO and postgraduate certificates in leadership and management.
I started working at Cansfield in 2016 after experience in other high schools in the North West and can honestly say that the experience we give our students at Cansfield is second to none. I am proud of the work we do here and of our students.
Head of Inclusion, SENDCo
Having studied Politics and American Political History at Keele University, I then completed a PGDip in Business Management and a PGCE in History & Citizenship in 2023 and I have been teaching History, Citizenship & PHSE since 2004. As part of my CPD at Cansfield I have also done an MA in Education and Inclusive Practice in 2022 and hold the NASENCo award.
My role here at Cansfield Head of Inclusion which means I lead the SEND provision within the mainstream school and I am the Head of Resourced Provision. I am also the school SENCo.
Assistant Headteacher
As Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour and Culture, I am passionate about creating a positive, respectful, and inclusive school environment where every pupil feels safe, valued, and motivated to succeed. I believe that strong relationships, clear expectations, and a nurturing culture are the foundations that allow children to thrive academically and socially.
My role is not only about promoting high standards of behaviour but also about celebrating positive choices, building resilience, and encouraging pupils to take pride in themselves and their school. I am committed to working closely with staff, pupils, and families to ensure our school remains a place where everyone can achieve their best and where kindness, respect, and ambition shine through in all that we do.
Assistant Headteacher
I have worked at the school for the past eight years and hold whole school responsibility for exams and assessment. I ensure that all examination systems are robust, well-organised, and effectively support students to perform at their best. I also lead on Year 11 progress and academic excellence, making sure that students are thoroughly prepared for their assessments while feeling supported and confident, enabling them to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Senior Assistant Headteacher
With over two decades of experience in the education sector, I am a highly experienced senior leader committed to fostering excellence in teaching and learning. I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and bring both academic expertise and practical leadership to Cansfield.
Throughout my career, I have held a range of leadership positions, contributing significantly to school improvement, staff development, and student achievement. I am driven by a belief in the transformative power of education, I enjoy working collaboratively with staff, students, and the wider school community to ensure every learner is supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
My overall responsibilities at Cansfield involve transitions, Year 7 academic excellence, assembly and form time curriculum and I work closely with the Inclusion Team.
Assistant Headteacher
I studied History at the University of Liverpool and graduated in 2004. In 2006, I qualified as a History Teacher and taught at the Deanery High School until 2012. At the start of the 2013 academic year, I became Head of History & Politics at Calderstones High School in Liverpool. In 2024, I was privileged to be appointed Assistant Headteacher at Cansfield High School with responsibility for Teaching and Learning. I am the lead for year 9 academic excellence, continuing professional development of all staff and our ITT programme.
I am immensely proud to work at our vibrant community school.
Assistant Headteacher
I achieved a First-Class Honours degree in Geography (BSc) before beginning my career in the engineering sector, working on large-scale infrastructure projects. Teaching was always my long-term ambition, and after completing my PGCE at University, I began my career at a school in Manchester, where I became Head of Geography. In 2023, I returned to my former school, Cansfield, as Head of Humanities and in September 2024 I was proudly appointed Assistant Headteacher. Whilst at Cansfield, I have also completed a Masters in Education, achieving a First and receiving the University’s Postgraduate Award. My day to day responsibilities include lead of year 10 for academic excellence and strategic lead of CEIAG.
My purpose and drive as a school leader are rooted in a deep sense of gratitude to Cansfield for shaping the person I am today. The support, encouragement, and inspiration I received from my teachers here played a central role in my journey, and it is both a privilege and an honour to now give back by ensuring every student benefits from the same high-quality education, rich opportunities, and aspirations to succeed. Above all, my commitment is to raise aspirations across our community so that every young person at Cansfield leaves equipped with the knowledge, confidence and character to thrive in the future.
Mrs H Cashman
Senior Assistant Headteacher / SENCO / Humanities Teacher
Mrs N Daniels
Headteacher / English Teacher
Mr K Derbyshire
Assistant Headteacher / Humanities Teacher
Mr S Dobinson
Assistant Headteacher / Humanities Teacher
Mr D Forshaw
Senior Assistant Headteacher / Humanities Teacher
Mrs K Melia
Assistant Headteacher / Computing Teacher
Mrs M Rothwell
Assistant Headteacher / Maths Teacher
Mr P Swain
Deputy Headteacher / Humanities Teacher
Mrs M Ainscough
Director of Alternative Provision
Mr M Burrows
Director of Numeracy
Mr C Mugan
Director of Enrichment
Mr E Siddall
Director of Evidence-Based Practice
Mrs M Westhead
Director of Reading and Literacy (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Mrs L Wright
Director of Data Analytics and Insight
Mrs M Armstrong
Creative Technician
Mr P Dickinson
Head of Faculty / Art and Photography Teacher
Mrs S Shaw
Creatives Teacher / 2nd in Faculty
Mrs S Stanton
Food Teacher
Mrs F Tinsley
Art Teacher
Miss H Walsh
Art Teacher
Mr K Dudley
Computing Teacher / Second in Faculty
Mrs K Melia
Computing Teacher / Assistant Headteacher
Miss A Rose
Music and Performance Teacher
Mrs K Wheeler
Head of Faculty / Music and Performance Teacher
Miss B Carney
English Teacher / 2nd in Faculty
Mrs N Daniels
English Teacher / Headteacher
Miss C Ogden
Associate Head of English / English Teacher
Mr C Smith
English Teacher
Miss S Stedman
Whole School Literacy Lead / English Teacher
Miss E Sturdy
English Teacher
Miss K Tierney
Head of Faculty / English Teacher
Mrs M Westhead
Director of Reading and Literacy / English Teacher (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Mr D Wilkes
English Teacher / CPD Support Lead
Mr L Withers
English Teacher
Mr M Blagbrough
Careers Advisor
Mr T Briggs
D of E Award Coordinator / Subject Lead in Humanities
Mr W Critchley
D of E Award Assistant Coordinator / Humanities Teacher
Mr C Mugan
Director of Enrichment / Humanities Teacher
Mr C Armstrong
History Teacher
Miss R Beagan
Subject Lead in Humanities / Humanities Teacher
Mr T Briggs
Subject Lead in Humanities / Humanities Teacher
Mrs H Cashman
Humanities Teacher / Senior Assistant Head / SENCO
Mr W Critchley
Humanities Teacher / Assistant D of E Co-Ordinator
Mr K Derbyshire
Humanities Teacher / Assistant Headteacher
Mr S Dobinson
Humanities Teacher / Assistant Headteacher
Mr J Gregory
Humanities Teacher
Mr C Mugan
Director of Enrichment / Humanities Teacher
Mr R Ooi
Geography Teacher
Mr A Smith
Humanities Teacher
Mr P Swain
History Teacher / Deputy Headteacher
Mrs R Ashton
French Lead / French Teacher
Mrs S Braithwaite
French Teacher
Miss S Leigh
Head of French (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Mrs P Charnock
Learning Coach / French
Mr E Siddall
French Teacher / Director of Evidence Based Practice
Mr M Burrows
Maths Teacher / Director of Numeracy
Miss H Devany
Maths Teacher / Primary Liaison Lead
Mrs M Osbourne
2nd in Faculty / Maths Teacher
Mrs M Rothwell
Maths Teacher / Assistant Headteacher
Miss H Stewart
Head of Faculty
Miss B Stoneley
Maths Teacher
Mrs S Williams
Senior Learning Coach / Maths Teacher
Miss D Wood
Maths Teacher / 2nd in Faculty
Mrs L Wright
Maths Teacher/ Director of Data Analytics and Insight
Mr S Bell
PE Teacher / Primary Liaison Lead
Mr J Glover
PE Teacher
Mrs S Lowe
2nd in Faculty / PE Teacher
Mr J Mayor
Head of PE / PE Teacher
Mrs L Allsop
Head of Faculty / Science Teacher
Miss R Irving
Science Teacher
Mr J McCombie
Science Technician
Mr J McKay
Science Teacher
Mrs A Percival
Science Teacher
Miss D Rothwell
Science Teacher / EAL Lead
Miss C Simpson
2nd in Faculty / Science Teacher
Mr M Sumpter
2nd in Faculty/Science Teacher
Miss K Atkinson
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs H Cashman
Senior Assistant Headteacher / SENCO / Humanities Teacher
Miss L Colgan
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs R Darbyshire
Seconded to the post of SENCO
Mrs K Ellis
Learning Support Assistant
Miss H Fairclough
Assistant SENCO
Mrs A Gladwin
Assistant SENCO (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Miss J Northmore
Senior Learning Support Assistant
Miss K Rigby
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs E Shaw
HLTA / Literacy and English
Miss L-M Shaw
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs Y Wilson
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs H Aspinall
HR Manager
Mr S Carletti
Site Supervisor
Mrs D Barton
Finance Manager
Mr M Davies
Site Supervisor
Mrs A Dobinson
Finance Officer
Mr P Dwyer
Network Manager
Mr M Fearnley
Site Supervisor
Ms N Hampson
Housekeeper / Cleaner
Miss M Johnston
Finance & Admin Assistant (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Mrs N Manning
Receptionist / Admin
Miss Z Milnes
Network Manager Apprentice
Mr J Picton
Facilities Manager / Clerk to Governors
Mrs A Pye
Finance & Admin Assistant
Mrs J Rafferty
Receptionist / Admin
Mrs K Smith
Office Manager / PA to the Headteacher
Mrs D Bonnett
Exams Officer
Ms N Fagan
MIS and Data Manager
Mrs M Rothwell
Assistant Headteacher
Mrs M Ainscough
Director of Alternative Provision
Mrs N Ashley
Head of Year
Mrs J Briscoe
Student Intervention Lead
Miss K Ferguson
Senior Pastoral Leader / Early Help Co-ordinator
Mrs C Foster
Safeguarding officer
Mr D Gaskell
Cover Supervisor
Mrs A Giannoni
Attendance Support
Mrs K James
Head of Year
Mrs K Owen
Head of Year
Mr A Power
Head of Year
Mrs K Rigby
Senior Attendance Lead / Family Engagement Lead
Miss P Sapherson-Lawrence
Head of Year
Ms C Westhorpe
Counsellor
