Helen Martin

Helen Martin - Honorary Teaching Fellow

I am Executive Director of the Gateway Alliance. I joined Gateway in 2012, soon after it was set-up, and in 2015, was appointed Executive Director to lead on the strategic development of the company.

The Gateway Alliance is a not-for-profit, school company created and led by a group of dedicated primary schools and academies from across Warwickshire and Coventry. We are primary school specialists and work together to provide high quality, evidence-informed, professional development, training and support which enhances teaching and learning and supports the delivery of improved outcomes for children. We are currently supporting more than 200 primary schools from across Warwickshire and Coventry, and a growing number from further afield, through our professional learning activities and initial teacher training programmes.

I have been involved in leading Gateway’s School Direct ITT programmes, in partnership with the University of Warwick, since 2012. I am immensely proud of the programmes we have developed and the feedback we receive from both partnership schools and trainees is overwhelmingly positive. I am privileged to work with a team of committed and passionate mentors that ensure that all our trainees have the best possible teacher training experience and go on to flourish as early career teachers.

My background before joining Gateway spans both the private and public sector. I was the Regional Programme Lead for the Training and Development Agency (which later became part of the National College for School and College Leaders) and had responsibility for leading the West Midlands regional training centre supporting the work of the 14 Local Authorities across the region and working closely with the region’s HEIs.

Prior to this I worked in local government, undertaking roles in both HR and School Improvement; I was involved in a range of different agendas including teacher recruitment & retention, school workforce remodelling, trades union negotiation, CPD & workforce development. Initially I started my career in the private sector focusing on recruitment and workforce development for business and industry before finding my true passion for working in education and supporting teaching and learning.

Outside of work I am a busy mum with 2 school-age children and live with my husband and family in Sutton Coldfield. I have a BA (hons) degree in Fine Art and Art History and love all things art and design.