Suzanne Owens
Clifftop coastal path · Isle of Man
Career Summary

Thirty-two years in education, across the UK and internationally.

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An experienced education leader with more than 30 years in education, as a classroom teacher, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher, Principal, Director of Schools, Founding Director, and Education Consultant. Recognised externally for "exceptional leadership" and "clarity of vision," with a strong track record of raising standards across diverse UK and international settings.

Skilled in school improvement, safeguarding, curriculum design, distributed leadership, and inspection preparation (Ofsted, BSO, COBIS, Cambridge). Fully up to date with the new Ofsted Framework, including supporting Northwest school leaders through the inspection pilot and delivering CPD on managing challenging situations, conversations, and complaints.

3,000Pupils — Principal, all-through international school
700Pupils — founded a new school from greenfield
68%→91%Attendance transformation in three months
8 yrsHeadteacher, Isle of Man
32 yrsIn education
UK + Int’lLeadership across multiple education systems
Key Achievements

Highlights across a 30-year career

Whole-school transformation

Raised attainment, progress, and attendance through a whole-school redesign of curriculum, behaviour systems, assessment, and inclusion provision.

Cambridge English School, Kuwait

Led a 2–18 British International School (NOR 3,000) through transformation. Cambridge Inspection praised "exceptional leadership" and a vision "set out with a clarity not often seen."

Founding Director, Nottingham British School

Founded and opened a new school in Kuwait (3–18, NOR 700) from greenfield: building design, curriculum, staffing, financial planning, and operational systems.

British International School Ukraine

Raised attendance from 68% to 91% within three months through targeted monitoring and pastoral systems.

Northway Primary & Nursery, Liverpool

Delivered consecutive Ofsted "Outstanding" outcomes, contributing to Beacon School status.

Qualifications

Qualified BSO Inspector (Levels 1–3); trained COBIS Peer Accreditor and WASC Accreditation.

Career History

January 2026 – Present

Interim Roles & Educational Initiatives

Flexible, self-directed. Undertaking interim leadership roles and supporting educational initiatives across the UK and Isle of Man.

September 2025 – December 2025

Secondment – Headteacher/Consultant

Department of Education, Sport & Culture (DESC), Isle of Man Government. Collaborated on whole-island policies and transformational culture change; wrote and reviewed national Isle of Man policy on Quality Assurance, TLR restructure, leadership workload reduction, and the Working Time Agreement; delivered CPD; liaised with and supported school leaders across the Isle of Man and Northwest England.

September 2017 – August 2025

Headteacher, Rushen Primary School

Isle of Man (NOR 300, EYFS–KS2). Established an "Everyone a Leader" distributed leadership model; introduced an "Everyone a Learner" approach built around a learner toolkit (Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills and Habits) and metacognitive strategies; introduced restorative behaviour practices, reducing exclusions and incidents; led a whole-school curriculum redesign; strengthened SEND and inclusion provision, including leadership of a Specialist Provision Centre; improved parent and community communication.

January 2015 – August 2017

Education Consultant – International & UK

Self-employed. Khalil Gibran School, Rabat, Morocco: aligned policies and systems with COBIS standards, introduced coaching and teaching-for-learning CPD, supported COBIS accreditation preparation. British International School Ukraine: raised attendance from 68% to 91% within three months, implemented a new appraisal and coaching framework, led BSO accreditation preparation, enhanced IB provision. General consultancy for UK and international school leaders on School Improvement Plans, Self-Evaluation Forms, and inspection preparation.

2015 – 2016 (Overlapping)

Consultant to Founding Director

Oxford International School, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (NOR 650). Advised on curriculum design, policy frameworks, and school improvement strategies; secured the Cambridge International Primary Curriculum and supported COBIS accreditation; worked with the British Embassy and Consulate to raise the school's profile.

March 2015 – November 2015 (Overlapping)

Founding Director

Nottingham British School, Kuwait (3–18, NOR 700). Greenfield school establishment: full curriculum, staffing, policy, financial planning, and operational readiness from inception to opening; recruited senior leaders and international staff; oversaw building readiness, IT infrastructure, and estates planning.

December 2011 – August 2015

Principal, Cambridge English School

Mangaf, Kuwait (KG–A Level, NOR 3,000). Directed whole-school improvement, developing leadership capacity and quality assurance systems; introduced a play-based EYFS curriculum and systematic phonics; implemented CPD and leadership development programmes. Cambridge Inspection praised a vision "with a clarity not often seen" and "exceptional leadership from the Principal."

September 1998 – December 2011

Headteacher / Deputy Headteacher / Leadership Team / Subject Leader / Teacher

Northway Primary & Nursery School, Liverpool (NOR 400). Acting Headteacher (2009–2011): sustained Outstanding Ofsted practice during the substantive Head's extended secondment. Deputy Headteacher (2007–2011): led safeguarding, assessment, recruitment, and school improvement planning, contributing to consecutive Ofsted Outstanding outcomes and Beacon School status. Teacher & Leadership Team Member (1998–2006): subject leader for Mathematics and History.

January 1995 – August 1998

Class Teacher & Subject Leader

Westvale Primary School, Knowsley. Mathematics and History Curriculum Leader; supported staff CPD, promoting consistent quality of teaching and learning.

September 1994 – December 1994

Supply Teacher

Merseyside.

Education & Qualifications

Credentials

MA Educational Leadership – University of Chester & UCM, Isle of Man (In Progress)
NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headship
B.Ed. (Hons) Education Studies & History – University of Liverpool
BSO Inspector, Levels 1–3
COBIS Peer Accreditor
WASC Accreditation Training

For further detail, or to discuss a specific role or project, please get in touch.

Contact Suzanne