CSSC Staff

Mark has joined CSSC after 6 years working for the Education Authority, the last 4 as an Assistant Director in Education. He has significant experience in the area of collaboration and shared education, having worked as part of the award winning Queen’s University team that developed the programme in Northern Ireland and internationally.

He is an English language teacher and has managed schools around the world.

Shane is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

He was Chief Executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board prior to its dissolution, having previously been its Chief Finance Officer and was the Interim Head of Finance of the Education Authority on its establishment.

Arlene has over 20 years of experience in public sector communications, including working as a Campaigns and Stakeholder Manager (NI) with the Cabinet Office to support local delivery of Prime Minister’s priority campaigns. Previously, Arlene worked with researchers, policy experts, national and local government departments, public health schools, academic institutions and community organisations to communicate key messages to inform public policy to support healthier populations in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Arlene is an Accredited Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and is currently Chair of CIPR NI. Arlene is also an advisory group member with the Northern Ireland Public Sector Communications Forum, working to raise professional standards in public sector communications.

Joining CSSC was the perfect fit for Jayne, a Stranmillis graduate.  A former teacher and Vice Principal, Jayne joined the NEELB in 2002 gaining experience as Primary Officer and Assistant Senior Education Officer.

Before joining CSSC, Jayne was a member of EA’s Children and Young People’s Services senior team.

Andrew has had a rewarding teaching career after graduating from Stranmillis in 1987. He is a former Vice-Principal of a large post-primary school.

Before joining CSSC, Andrew worked as an External Adviser supporting principals in PRSD and as an Executive Coach working with senior management.

Jill Brown has over 30 years’ experience in education working both nationally and internationally. Over the last eleven years she has worked in quality improvement and post-inspection support, including leading national initiatives and international projects.

Jill was the post-16 representative on the Northern Ireland Steering Group for Numeracy (2006 – 2011).

Marianne is a qualified accountant with over 25 years’ experience.

She has worked in a range of sectors, including the public, private, education and charitable sectors.  Previously, Marianne headed up the Finance and HR Department of a non-departmental public body as part of the senior management team.

Derek has worked in primary education for 33 years, as a teacher, ICT Advisory Officer and as Principal in three primary schools.

He has extensive experience in school leadership and school improvement, including development of future leaders through the PQH programme, PRSD training with Governors and assessing trainee teachers.

Caroline has worked within human resources since graduating, gaining a wide range of experience in all aspects of the HR function.  

Most recently, Caroline spent more than 10 years in a management role within the hospitality sector, acting as an advisor to the senior management team.

Chris graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BA in Politics and a MA in Irish Politics.

He has a wide range of experience in administrative roles across the voluntary/community and higher education sectors in Northern Ireland.

Heather McKenzie studied at Stranmillis College and graduated in 1993 with BEd(Hons).  Since then she has worked in one village and two rural schools.

Although trained as a key stage 2 teacher, Heather has taught all primary classes, from reception to primary 7.  She has been a full-time Principal since 2005. 

Having graduated with an MSSc in Organisation and Management from Queen’s University in 2006, and recently obtaining an associate CIPD accreditation, Tracy brings a range of experience to the Controlled Schools’ Support Council. She has previously worked in both public and private organisations and has over ten years’ experience in managerial roles. 

A researcher with a range of experience, Rachel previously authored a series of research reports focusing on childcare, parental working rights and work-life balance.

She conducted the Northern Ireland Childcare Cost Survey (2010-2016) and contributed to the Reconstituting Democracy in Europe’s international study on Parenting and Democracy in Europe (2011-2012).

Colleen joins CSSC from Arts & Business NI. 

As External Relations Manager, she had responsibility for communications, website and social media management. Colleen has over 20 years’ experience in communications which she will use to support controlled schools. Colleen holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Ulster University and Business Management  Certificate from Queen's University Belfast. 

After graduating from Northumbria University in 2009, Zoe worked in various private and public sector organisations.

She obtained a CIPD qualification in 2014. Prior to joining the Controlled Schools’ Support Council Zoe worked for Belfast Met in HR Services.

Richard has joined the CSSC team in a job-share capacity, working alongside schools' support officer Jill Brown.

Richard has worked in Primary Education for 21 years. In the last 12 years he has been Principal of three controlled primary schools. During that time, he had experience as an Executive Principal responsible for leading two schools at the one time.

Richard has a passion for coaching in education and is keen to see school leaders develop a coaching culture in their schools. 

After graduating from RMIT University Melbourne, Australia, in 2005, Elaine worked for various public sector organisations, as well as obtaining post graduate qualifications in careers education.

Elaine oversaw the administration of a high profile investigation audit into the Lacrosse Apartment Fire in Melbourne, covering 151 sites and totalling 168 projects.

Having graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Tracey taught History and Government and Politics for 15 years.

Tracey Woods has been an examiner for WJEC and CCEA.  More recently, she assisted with the revision of GCSE and A-Level specifications, and oversaw the introduction of CCEA’s new GCSE Government and Politics qualification.