I have worked full-time in Secondary Education whilst completing my EdD research at UCL.
I hold a Doctor in Education Teacher Professional Learning, which was awarded in May 2025. My thesis was entitled ‘Developing an ecological analytical framework for the exploration of teachers’ lived experiences of professional development and professional learning in five UK secondary schools.’
I am passionate classroom practitioner in Secondary Religious Studies looking to develop teacher CPD and professional learning.
Get in touch to find out if I can help you understand your culture for professional learning.
Hello! I’m Kathryn Taylor – I work full time in secondary education, but am developing a wider professional portfolio to enable me to contribute to debates and thinking in the field of teacher CPD and implementation science. I offer leaders a look in the mirror that can form an authentic foundation to build a culture conducive to professional learning.
As a consultant who is still teaching, I am better able to understand the reality of school life. I’m also an experienced ITTCo and professional mentor with a grammar school and Best Practice Network, as well as trustee/governance experience. I love to geek out about professional learning, organisational cultures and implementation science, and I would be excited to hear from you.
I was awarded my EdD by the IoE at UCL in May 2025. My research explores the relationships between school cultures and professional learning. I have developed a survey instrument based on my phenomenographic analysis of the language use in the literature around the cultural dimensions that correlate to sustained teacher professional development. As well as my analytical framework and instrument development, I interviewed leaders in schools where teachers undertook the survey and developed five case studies, and then undertook a cross case analysis. My data analysis suggests a correlation between structured opportunities for collaboration and coaching, and teacher research engagement and positive perceptions of their schools’ culture for professional learning.
I am a passionate classroom practitioner in Secondary Religious Studies, with consistently strong student outcomes at KS3, GCSE and A Level (‘overwhelmingly positive’ student and parent departmental review). I harnesses in-depth knowledge of education and evidence base for effective learning to synthesise research on behalf of diverse audiences. I improves the life chances of young people via promotion of research informed practice in schools while embedding cultures of continuous improvement.
My teaching highlights are complemented by previous experience leading and empowering large and complex teams; sensitively navigated ambiguity while empathetically managing difficult conversations. I take a systems/ecological approach to building awareness of philosophical, organisational, political, social, managerial, interpersonal, and technical dimensions of schools and educational institutions as a Doctor in Education (EdD).
Key Achievements
Skilled researcher using mixed methodologies.
Experienced Professional coach and mentor.
Experienced Initial Teacher Training Coordinator.
NPQ facilitator and assessor.
Journal author (Impact magazine).
Conference speaker (researchEd Cheshire 2023 and 2024, Milton Keynes 2024, BERA annual conference 2023 and CanvasCon 2018).
Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Advocate for cutting edge technology used to promote positive student outcomes and workload reducing benefits for teachers.
Supporter students with complex needs, building positive relationships and promoting their success, championed adaptations and interventions, such as enlarged print resources, printing on coloured paper, providing digital resources or wearing a hearing loop device.
Passionate about embedding holistic approaches to student development in preparation for 21st century life including preparing students for university through support with UCAS applications, personal statements, and references.
Provides coaching to students in preparation for interviews to those applying for Russell Group institutions.
Effective collaborator with school leaders, faculty, and administrators in nurturing and driving outstanding educational experiences aimed at encouraging and challenging students from all backgrounds.
Applies learning strategies, student-centred pedagogies and passion for teaching to inspire students by harnessing their skills and interests through creative and innovative lessons.
Designs and delivers CPD for all new and experienced teachers.
Works with agility to overcome barriers caused by COVID-19 restrictions, including provision of additional tailored support to students.
Oversees strategy development and financial controls as School Governor and Trustee.
Manages curriculum planning, design and delivery; oversees performance tracking to address student needs.
Delivers personalised and accurate performance feedback from a range of data sources.
Festival of Education
Navigating The 2025 Festival of Education, hosted at Wellington College on July 3-4, brought together over 85 organisations and numerous speakers to explore various facets of education. The event featured a mix of thought-provoking talks, practical workshops and panel discussions, all aimed at inspiring and engaging educators. A key theme of the festival was “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”.
This is an annual event that provides professional development for educators. In 2025, it included over 300 sessions, showcasing a wide range of content from classroom practice to policy and innovation. Over 5,500 attendees, with a majority coming from state-funded schools and FE colleges, participated in the event. The festival also featured a vibrant marketplace where exhibitors, united by their passion for education, could connect with attendees. life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
Things I like…
Planning with Sweach
Save on ‘long hand’ planning and keep organised with this fabulous digital planner: https://sweach.co.uk/. I find this app invaluable for managing my planning. The AI feature can even plan the core structure of your lessons, which is great if you need inspiration to get you started. I started using Sweach alongside my paper planner for about a month before realising that my paper planner was pretty much redundant. I won’t look back, this is a game-changer! Welcome to a world of limitless possibilities, where the journey is as exhilarating as the destination, and as we navigate the intricate tapestry of existence, we are constantly presented with choices, each a potential pathway to something extraordinary. This is a world where creativity knows no bounds, where the curious mind finds solace, and where the fearless heart discovers uncharted territories. Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
Free CPD with Teachers Talk Radio
Teachers Talk Radio (https://www.ttradio.org/) is a gold mine of content about anything educational you can imagine. A huge range of topics and guests discuss all kinds of topics, just search up what you want to hear and dive in!
Instructure Educator of the Year 2021
Instructure Recognises Four Outstanding EMEA Educators Redefining Teaching in the COVID-19 Era
Instructure Educator of the Year 2021: Teaching Support
Annual Educator of the Year Awards are Nominated by Fellow Educators and Administrators, and Students
SALT LAKE CITY — Oct 4 2021 — Instructure today announced the winners of its 2021 Educator of the Year Awards in connection with this week’s InstructureCon 2021 edtech conference. The program recognises outstanding EMEA educators working to embrace remote learning, prepare students for the workforce, and support student success and achievement in an evolving education landscape.
“Educators everywhere take on insurmountable challenges with optimism and patience, and that’s never been more true than in the past school year,” said Melissa Loble, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Instructure. “Each educator we’ve selected truly excelled in an increasingly challenging environment and inspired their colleagues and students in the process. Congratulations to all of our 2021 winners!”
Exploring culture and professional learning 