The Chief Executive Officer of All Saints Catholic Collegiate Multi-Academy and a national leader of education, Margaret Yates has dedicated her career to moulding young minds.
Previously the executive head of St Gregory's Catholic Academy in Longton and St Augustine's Catholic Academy in Meir, Margaret has worked at schools across North Staffordshire during a long and distinguished career.
Born in the North East, her family moved to Stoke-on-Trent when the coal mines closed so she was educated in the city.
She says she was inspired by her father, who grew up in poverty as the youngest of 13 children but enrolled to study at Staffordshire University at the age of 40.
“He says education changed his life,” said Margaret. “As a result I was brought up with plays and poetry to read. That gave me my love for literature.”
Margaret went to an all-girls convent school where she says she underachieved ‘through nobody’s fault but my own’.
After school she started an NHS job working as a cardiology technician including research into preparation for the Potteries Marathon. Fascinating as she found that early career, she longed to become a teacher.
Following her father’s example, she enrolled on a four-year Education degree at Staffordshire University at the age of 29. The timing coincided with Margaret and her husband starting a private day nursery.
“I enjoyed every moment of being at University,” she said.
Once qualified Margaret was quickly fast-tracked into leadership roles in teaching because of her transferable skills.
“I didn’t have aspirations to be a headteacher,” she said. “I just wanted to be a really excellent teacher.” But within eight years she was the deputy head of ‘a really high achieving school.
“At that time I also became an advanced skills teacher in literacy, working across city schools and leading on projects.”
Margaret studied for a Master’s Degree, by which point she was a headteacher at St Mary’s in Norton.
Other senior appointments were to follow, including sitting on the West Midlands Headteacher Board which advises the regional schools commissioner.
“I thrive on seeing improvements in skills,” she said. “That’s what motivates me. I believe in investing in resources to make sure that everybody in the city gets a very good education.
“I’m really keen on contributing to the education department at the University. When I was a student teacher I remember a headteacher coming to speak to us about headship. I remember how influential and inspiring that person was in talking about leadership, although at that time I wanted to put all my energy into being a really good teacher.”
On being made an Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University Margaret said: “It’s totally unexpected but I always think the highest accolade anyone could ever have is your peers and colleagues giving you an award. You know that it’s from people who really value your contribution.
“I’m very, very lucky. I just feel I’ve got the best job in the world.”