Rebecca Underwood

With 24 years of teaching and leadership experience across prestigious educational settings, I bring an unwavering passion for education and a deep commitment to organisational excellence. My drive to continuously improve educational experiences stems from a genuine love for the profession and the belief that there is always more to give in supporting both teachers and students, now more than ever.

I have an established record of building and leading high-performing teams, spearheading continuous improvement efforts and fostering an innovative, collaborative culture. My experience includes managing large-scale projects and professional development programmes, improving operational efficiency and increasing stakeholder satisfaction; always ensuring impact in the classroom.

Recognised for my strategic planning, execution and highly effective communication and marketing skills, I am dedicated to aligning initiatives with long-term organisational objectives. Furthermore, my emphasis on research and evaluation ensures that decisions are grounded in evidence, with outcomes rigorously assessed to drive continuous improvement.

With 24 glorious years of dedicated experience in early years and primary education, my journey has been driven by an unwavering passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a deep love for learning. My career has been a testament to my commitment to creating dynamic, engaging and impactful educational experiences that inspire both children and educators alike. The opportunity to contribute to PSTT’s mission excites me profoundly, as it aligns perfectly with my belief that every child deserves to experience the wonder of science and the joy of discovery from an early age. I am eager to bring my extensive experience, strategic leadership and heartfelt dedication to this role, ensuring that the next generation of primary science teachers is equipped to ignite curiosity and inspire excellence in every classroom across the UK. Throughout my extensive two-decade career, I have had the privilege of nurturing the minds and hearts of young learners across Bristol. 

In my current role as a Researcher for the National Institute of Teaching, I work at the meeting point between knowledge and practice — where evidence finds its way into classrooms and begins to shape real change. I support projects that explore how research can be translated into meaningful impact for teachers, leaders, and schools. Every report, summary, or piece of analysis I contribute to feels like a small step toward making education more thoughtful, more informed, and more human.

What I love most is the sense of purpose — the quiet but powerful idea that the work we do doesn’t stop at publication. It travels, influences, and inspires. It reminds me that research, when shared well, can light up the profession from within.

My previous role as SCITT Course Lead and School Improvement Lead for Teacher Development at Avanti Schools Trust has provided me with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the primary education landscape. This experience has allowed me to work closely with educational institutions, educators and policymakers, keeping me at the forefront of trends and developments in primary science education. In addition to proudly leading the SCITT, I was instrumental in drafting our original successful bid, positioning our Trust as one of only 10 across the UK to be selected as a new Teach First Delivery Partner. One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is recently achieving Fellowship with the Chartered College of Teaching. This prestigious recognition reflects my unwavering commitment to excellence in education and continuous professional development. My active engagement with the educational community through INSET talks, online webinars and contributions to publications such as the Chartered College and Ambition Institute further enriches my career. In addition to this achievement, I also successfully authored the application that secured Avanti's status as a Learning Partner with the Chartered College. These wonderful experiences, along with my vibrant educational online community engaging almost 80,000 early years and primary educators, underscore my dedication to sharing best practices and inspiring educators worldwide.

My leadership experience is extensive, from serving as Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in Bristol to supporting school improvement at the local authority level. I excel in strategic thinking, translating broad objectives into actionable plans that drive success. I am proud to have played a key role in implementing a Preschool strategy across our 12-school trust. This initiative is poised to transform communities by strengthening early childhood education, underscoring our commitment to the importance of the EYFS and aligning with our broader community priorities. My leadership style when conducting such robust initiatives is proactive and results-driven, with a focus on inspiring and leading teams to achieve excellence. I am deeply committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of my work, ensuring that these values are at the forefront of my approach to programme development, team management and stakeholder engagement. My commitment to Early Years Foundation Stage education runs deep, rooted in the belief that these formative years are crucial for laying the foundation for a child’s lifelong love of learning and exploration. I believe in the importance of engaging and inspiring children with science from an early age, nurturing their natural curiosity to empower them to explore, understand and ask questions about the world around them. I am currently writing a educational text entitled Journey into Wonder: A Practical Guide for Reception Teachers, where I particularly enjoyed writing the chapter on Understanding the World. This chapter explores the significance of fostering a child’s natural inquisitiveness and creativity; qualities essential not only for personal growth but also for thriving in any future career.

In addition to my work in primary and secondary education, I have extensive experience organising large-scale events, such as Trust conferences, TeachMeets and Professional Development seminars. These experiences have equipped me with the skills needed to manage complex logistics and engage a wide range of stakeholders. Building strong partnerships within the education sector has been another key aspect of my work, and these relationships have been instrumental in driving the success of various initiatives such as our highly successful Avanti Middle Leadership Programme and our Avanti Pathways Approach to CPD; a vision highly regarded by our 500+ staff. Our Avanti Inset days over the last 4 years have featured inspiring keynotes from experts including Peps Mccrea, Julien Grenier, Doug Lemov, Sir David Carter, Professor Becky Allan and Mary Myatt as well as also recognising the immense talent of Avanti staff across the Trust who also led worthwhile and inspiring CPD events throughout the year.

I bring forth an abundance of primary and leadership experience, a deep-seated passion for effective learning and teaching and an unwavering commitment to nurturing excellence in the classroom. From my humble beginnings as a truly passionate class teacher to my roles as writing moderator for Bristol City Council, PGCE and SCITT Course lead, Lead Associate, Co-Head Teacher and Keynote Speaker at educational events across the country, I have cultivated a profound understanding of the intricacies of education, particularly in the pivotal Early Years and Primary phase. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability and enthusiasm to lead and inspire others, whether through writing, teaching or organising high profile events.

I hold the NPQLTD (National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development) and I am currently completing the Chartered College of Teaching’s Certificate in Evidence-Informed Practice, both of which have deepened my understanding of how research and professional learning intertwine. These qualifications have given me a strong foundation in designing, leading, and evaluating teacher development, as well as in applying evidence thoughtfully to improve practice. They’ve sharpened my analytical skills, strengthened my confidence in translating research into action, and reinforced my belief that meaningful change in education begins with reflective, research-informed teaching.

I strongly believe in continuous learning! This drives my commitment to growth, reflection, and excellence in education.