Kelly Dooley has over 18 years of experience in comprehensive secondary education. Since starting as an English and Media teacher, she has held senior leadership roles in two large London secondary schools before being appointed Head Teacher of The Richmond upon Thames School in 2016.

Kelly’s senior leadership background has been in secondary schools in areas of both high and low levels of deprivation. As a result, she is acutely aware of the diverse challenges schools face whichever socio-economic area they are in. Kelly has supported both primary and secondary schools through her leadership of initial teacher training programmes, leadership coaching, school-to-school quality assurance and initiatives to raise standards for disadvantaged students.

Kelly was born in west London where she completed her compulsory education and where she continues to live with her husband and teenage sons. Kelly has a particular interest in the links between high-quality rounded education and its role in eradicating social injustice, which together fuels her commitment to comprehensive no-limits education. This interest underpins her ongoing doctoral research into educational disadvantage, social justice and school leadership.

Kelly is also a Trustee at St Christopher’s Fellowship, a charity founded in 1870 which provide children’s homes, supported housing, fostering across the UK and the Isles of Man.

In her spare time, Kelly practices Yoga and enjoys reading.