Margaret Newsome is a Design and Technology specialist with a focus on Textiles, teaching across all phases from Key Stage 3 to post 16 and is an accredited trainer for the Textiles CAD/CAM initiative – SpeedStep.

Margaret gained AST status in 1999 and since then has concentrated her role in the area of ITT. Originally subject mentor for Design and Technology Margaret progressed to the role of ITT co-ordinator and today oversees all aspects of teacher training at KJS. An integral part of this role is organising and delivering aspects of the ITT educational and professional studies programme. This covers generic educational issues and provides practical support in developing and extending trainees skill in ICT.
Margaret is committed to recruiting, training and supporting new mentors within the profession and provides support and training to new ITT mentors within the wider teaching community. For a number of years she has worked in collaboration with Leeds and Huddersfield Universities to help deliver generic mentor training across the Yorkshire region.

In January 2003 Margaret addressed prospective teachers at the first and highly successful, King James’s TDA Taster Conference. Since then she has continued to be involved in the planning and organising of subsequent events, the latest of which is scheduled for February 2007.

Most recently Margaret has become involved in the GTC Teacher Learning Academy gaining Associate status in February 2006.