Fred Birkett - Associate Director

Fred has over 30 years’ experience of working in schools. As a teacher of French, he was keen to explore new ideas and approaches to teaching, whilst maintaining ‘traditional’ values. This blend informed his work in a variety of leadership roles, notably as a Deputy Head in two Upper schools over a period of 12 years, and was the basis for his working as Assistant Director of the Bedford Education Action Zone 1999-2005.

During this period, Fred’s work with the University of the First Age, and with the Pacific Institute has helped him develop a perspective on teaching and learning that recognises and builds on emotional intelligence. He has worked with school leaders, teachers, LSAs, students and parents, enabling them to take control of and responsibility for their actions, and supporting their confidence to strive for higher, more rewarding levels of performance. The outcome has been improved achievement and motivation over and above that arising from curriculum development.

Fred worked as Inclusion Strand co-ordinator within the newly formed Bedford Excellence Cluster, as well as a trainer with the University of the First Age and co-ordinator for the introduction of Extended Schools in Bedfordshire. He was contracted by the DfES [2005 – April 2007] as Regional Co-ordinator of the National Programme for Specialist Leaders in Behaviour and Attendance [NPSLBA] and continues to facilitate Pacific Institute courses to students, parents and teachers.