Diane Ahearn - Principal Coppice Academy

After a successful career in industry and then in adult and young people education, Diane entered the teaching profession in 1998. She swiftly progressed from classroom teacher through pastoral co-ordinator to head of key stage 4 in a large comprehensive secondary school. Her particular interest is in special needs education and continued her professional progress in this direction when appointed Assistant Head Teacher and then Deputy Head Teacher in Pupil Referral Units with Staffordshire and Cheshire local authorities respectively. Diane has developed early intervention policies with primary schools as well as working extensively with alternate education providers and the wider community. She has continued her own professional development and achieved the National Award in Special Educational Needs (SENCo) and the nationally recognised headteacher’s qualification (NPQH). After serving as Deputy Head Teacher at Longdon Hall School for two years Diane was appointed Principal of the Coppice Academy in July of 2016.

“At heart I’m a hands on teacher and leader. I enjoy the day to day interactions with all of our young people and appreciate the privilege of having a career where I have the opportunity to make a real and enduring difference to their lives and prospects as well as that of their families.”

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