The Annual Conference for Teachers and Advisers 2023

Cherry is CEO of the Energy Coast UTC Trust and school improvement lead for the Baker Dearing Trust – the umbrella organisation for all UTCs nationally. She also does some work for ASCL.

Cherry has led the Energy Coast UTC from late 2016 and from Ofsted ‘Requires improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’.  The school serves an area of very high socio-economic deprivation. Students at the UTC achieve exceptionally well in both academic and technical subjects and almost all of them progress on to apprenticeships with 0% being NEET. Over the last few years, the percentage of leavers progressing on to apprenticeships has been consistently around 90% - over half of which are degree apprenticeships.

Cherry also works with a number of UTCs around the country in her school improvement role - improving their academic and technical offer, careers advice for students and ensuring all students are aware of different progression routes – through employment, apprenticeships or university.

Prior to leading the Energy Coast UTC Cherry was a successful headteacher in two large secondary schools. She, and the schools she has led, have won a number of national awards including Best Headteacher, Best Secondary School and Award for Making a Difference. She also contributes to governance in a range of schools and charities.

The majority of Cherry’s career has been in secondary education in inner city and / or challenging areas however before she took up teaching she used to work for the NHS in Pathology. Cherry is a keen open water swimmer and can often be found swimming in one of the Lake District’s many beautiful lakes – all year round – without a wetsuit!