Mary Bennett

Membership Grade: Fellow Member
Length of IfL Membership: 1 Year 7 Months
Current Position: Head of Learning
Reserved Seat: Disability

It has been my good fortune and privilege to be employed in the Education and Training sector for over 25 years. During that time I have worked both as a Teacher and a Trainer in Further Education Colleges, Mainstream Schools, Work Based Training and for the past five years, at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford, where I am currently the Head of Learning.

The RNC is the country’s largest specialist FE college for students with a visual impairment, as well as students with a range of other learning disabilities and difficulties. The College also employs a considerable proportion of staff with a disability,including visual impairment.

My passion for education, training and teaching has taken me from class room teacher to senior manager, and for the past 7 years I have specialised in Skills for Life, recognising that without the essential skills of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT students rarely can reach their potential in their chosen vocational areas. In 2007 I was a finalist in the national Star awards category“Outstanding Contribution to Skills for Life” which being nominated by my colleagues was very special recognition for the work done by us all.

I believe IfL has much to contribute in the field of Professional Development and Standards to ensure its membership are recognised for the work they do and that there is parity between the school and college sectors. Working in a specialist college has particularly shown me how important good networks and links within all aspects of education and training are, to ensure the sharing and standardising of good practice for the benefit of students and staff alike.

Currently there is no national forum for Teachers with disabilities to network and have their say. If elected I would seek to rectify this. As an experienced ‘teacher of teachers’, I would also like to see the adoption of national teaching standards for teaching students with a visual impairment and other disabilities and learning difficulties. As more students with disabilities are integrated into mainstream FE, ACL and work based learning it becomes essential that teachers and trainers are supported in their own professional development to cope effectively with the demands this puts upon them on a daily basis.

If elected, I would seek to serve the IfL’s membership in a positive and inclusive way. When asked what I do for a living, I reply“I’m a teacher”. I am proud to belong to this profession and seek to promote the highest standards within it. IfL is a broad church and it will be a challenge to ensure all sectors are given their rightful place within it. Working in a small, rural FE college I am very aware of this. However, I consider broadening the council is an essential part of IfL’s strategic growth and development over the coming years if it is to become the national voice of us all

Thank you, if you have, for reading this far!