Margaret Hesketh

Margaret works as an education consultant out of our Wellington office. She works with schools in the following areas:

• assessment for learning

• learner agency

• teaching as inquiry

• leadership and change development

• innovative (modern) learning practice

• literacy (Years 1-8)

• mathematics

• data analysis and evidence-based decision making.

Margaret believes strongly in the power of student agency. If students have ownership of their learning they are motivated and happy to learn. With increased engagement comes improved student achievement. This is accomplished through building learning focused environments where the co-construction of learning is an integral part of daily routines.

Margaret supports schools to develop a shared understanding of the why, as well as the how, of creating learning focused environments that encourage and foster learner agency. The use of evidence to inform teaching and learning is paramount for Margaret, as is building collaborative relationships focused on learning across all levels of the school. She works with teachers to strengthen inquiry into their teaching practices to accelerate achievement across the curriculum.

Margaret has extensive experience of leading and working collaboratively with others to effect change within a school to improve student learning outcomes. She enjoys working alongside teams and individuals to help them develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes enabling them to be positive and effective leaders, learners and practitioners.

Margaret has a Masters of Education. Her published thesis was on the professional development of primary school teachers with leadership responsibilities, in which she designed a framework of professional learning and development for teachers with leadership responsibilities.

When she has some down time, Margaret enjoys reading, movies, cooking, loves a great coffee and spending time with family and friends.