Ruth Simmonds
Member of the GEC Circle of Influence
Bio:
Ruth started her career as a Physical Education Teacher, teaching children between the ages of 5 – 18 years in a wide range of educational settings, including Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Pupil Referral Units, and Specialist Schools providing both day and residential provisions for children experiencing Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. She held various leadership positions in these schools.
Working in the Learning Services of a large Local Authority for over 10 years, Ruth focused her passion on supporting children, young people, and the team around them in achieving their full potential through solution-focused collaboration. She furthered her knowledge by gaining a Master's in Education from the University of Sussex, focusing her studies on Emotional well-being to support Learning.
Ruth held numerous roles within the Local Authority, working in the Behaviour Support Team, Virtual School, Pupil Referral Units, and Alternative Provision Team. As a Trustee of Sussex Prisoners’ families and a Safeguarding Trainer for three national charities, she is aware of current challenges on the front line. Ruth has experience in the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors. She is renowned for excellence, professionalism, and achieving high-quality results in challenging situations.
Areas of specialism:
Speaker, consultant, trainer & facilitator, former teacher
Social channels:
Useful links:
GEC Circle Contributions: Strengthening the GEC Framework:
As part of our ongoing development of GEC Homes, we are thrilled to have Ruth join us in shaping and expanding the project. Ruth will be contributing valuable content to the GEC Platform's library of staff training, providing essential resources to support educational leaders and staff in their efforts to foster inclusion and understanding within their schools and trusts. In addition to this, Ruth will also be joining us at our events in 2025, where she will share her insights and expertise with the broader educational community. Ruth’s contributions will play a key role in advancing our mission of creating a more inclusive, supportive environment for all students.
