About Me
Denise Kelly is a gifted, versatile and experienced educator. Her background - including classroom teaching, school leadership, and curriculum innovation and development– equips her very well for the role of educational consultant. She is an excellent communicator, comfortable with large groups and in one-to-one conversations. In my experience, Denise has been an energetic, creative and hardworking colleague and I recommend her wholeheartedly.
Dr Gerry Jeffers, Educational researcher and lecturer,
Education Department, Maynooth University
I’m a highly experienced consultant with proven leadership across all Levels of Education and three jurisdictions. I am a qualified Executive Coach and a member of the Association of Coaches (AC) Ireland whose specialism is Education. However, I have coached clients from fields outside of Education. I coach Leaders and leadership teams in Primary and Post-Primary schools with the Centre for School Leadership and in a private capacity. I have previously been an Education Officer, with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, project managing the development of four areas of the Junior Cycle curriculum. I have strong editorial and research experience for academic and public audiences as well as for statutory agencies. I am noted for my ability to optimise clients' strengths for interview, for my presentation skills and my capacity to effectively engage a range of stakeholders.
I support Principals, Deputy Principals, teachers and others with:
Coaching
Interview Preparation
As a panelist on interview boards
I support schools in a range of areas such as:
· Using Student Voice to Improve Student Engagement in Learning
· Linking Growth Mindsets, Student Voice and Effective Feedback to Improve Student Motivation
· Student Leadership e.g. Student Council training
Other work I engage in includes:
facilitation of consultation events
presenting at conferences and on webinars
assessing alternative education provision (e.g. home schooling for Tusla)
participating in the design and facilitation of professional development training for School Leaders with the JCT support service
advising organisations on their corporate social responsibility or development of curricular programmes for schools.
Professional Experience
Read about some of my career highlights……
Independent Education Consultant
Denise Kelly Education Services
Service provider to state and private organisations. Coaching to School Leaders and Leadership teams; Curriculum design for educational agencies and businesses; Interviewing on recruitment panels; Corporate Social Responsibility planning; Events hosting; Facilitation of consultation events; Interview preparation for teachers, Deputy Principals and Principals.
Director of Schools
City of Dublin Education and Training Board
I reported directly to and assisted the CEO in the development and support of the ETB's management team, liaising with school principals and other ETB management colleagues on the teaching, learning, assessment, infrastructural and other needs of schools. I developed and implemented policies and strategic plans.I was the Education and Training Board Ireland (ETBI) nominee to the National Council for Special Education and Co-chair of the ETBI Principals' Forum. Read more about CDETB
Education Officer
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
I had particular responsibility for leading the work of developing NCCA-developed Short Courses, Level 2 Learning Programmes, Level 1 Learning Programmes, and the specification for the Level 3 Modern Foreign Languages Framework. I also led the work related to school-developed and industry-developed short courses at Junior Cycle. My work brought me into contact with national and international agencies, leaders in education, teachers, parents and students. Roles included organising, hosting and facilitating at national events. I represented the NCCA at international conferences and symposia. Read more about the NCCA.
Post-Primary Principal
Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB
I was Principal in St Finian’s Community College, Swords. This is a DEIS school with 600+ students and 60 staff at the time. Along with the School Completion Officer, I devised an innovative programme which, with the help of the staff, reduced absenteeism by almost 20%. Numbers progressing to third level education increased. Read more about St Finian’s Community College
Deputy Principal
Colegios Laude, S.L. Spain
I worked with the Principal to oversee the work of both the Primary and Post-Primary private schools in Javea and Jalon, Alicante, Spain. We offered the British and Spanish curricula to approximately 500 International students and worked with 40 staff of diverse nationalities. I also had responsibility for CPD of the Laude staff in other schools in Spain and undertook training as an Inspector of British Schools in Spain by the British Council. Read more about Laude Lady Elizabeth School.
Senior Manager incl. Principal of Post Primary
Elian’s British School,
Alicante, Spain
I worked as a member of the Senior Management team and Principal of Post Primary, establishing a new school for children from 4 months to 18 years old. Our school offered both the British and Spanish curricula and I gained valuable insights into Leadership in Spanish schools Read more about Elian’s British School, Alicante.
National Coordinator of Transition Year
Second Level Support Service
I coordinated the work of a national team supporting the Post-Primary curriculum programme called Transition Year in Ireland, aimed at students aged 15/16. This is a unique one year, stand alone programme with a strong focus on students’ personal and social development. One of my responsibilities was to support National organisations and private agencies develop programmes for the Transition Year curriculum.
Transition Year Regional Coordinator
Department of Education and Skills, Ireland
I supported and guided post-primary schools in Dublin, Meath and Louth who offered the Transition Year Programme.