Rachael Pryor has 28 years of teaching experience mainly working with Primary children in schools in challenging circumstances. Rachael has been a SENCO, Teacher Coach and Senior Leader in several primary schools and a Head teacher.  For the last six years Rachael has been the Virtual Headteacher of the HOPE, Bristol’s Virtual School for Children in Care. This post is statutory and carries with it the responsibility for ensuring Pupil Premium Plus is spent on raising educational outcomes for Children in Care. In 2017 the Children and Social Work Act extended the role of the Virtual School to Advice and guidance for Previously Looked After Children.

Rachael has a Masters with Distinction in Educational Inclusion and Leadership from Bristol University and is currently studying for a Doctorate looking at the voice of the child in care at the University of the West of England alongside her full time role in Bristol that now extends to Head of Service for Inclusive City Education.

Rachael is a member of the NAVSH board as Research Lead and has also represented the South West on the wider board.

Personal:

Rachael is from Bristol and is currently living there. She is a parent of 2 grown up children who are both in Higher Education, and also a step parent to 2 teenage girls.