Heini Thomas
Heini Thomas is headteacher of Ysgol Y Dderi in Ceredigion. Heini began her teaching career at Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, where the headteacher gave her many leadership opportunities. She was encouraged to participate in the NPQH programme which was voluntary back then! This led to her first post as headteacher at Ysgol Dihewyd. Nine years later Heini took the opportunity to become the headteacher of Ysgol Y Dderi.
As an Associate Heini is looking forward to having the opportunity to work with new colleagues from all four corners of Wales and broaden her horizons. She wants to make the most of the opportunity to really engage with leadership aspects rather than focusing on the management side of the headteacher role, which can easily take over during the day to day running of a school. Heini has also participated in and benefited from Head-To-Head: Schools, the National Academy for Educational Leadership’s weekly well-being sessions.
“I have been a headteacher for over twenty years and education and leadership is constantly evolving, as a life-long learner I think it is extremely important to keep challenging myself and putting myself out of my comfort zone. My aspirations for the future for the National Academy for Educational Leadership is to ensure a higher profile for the organisation throughout Wales so that all educational leaders can benefit from accessing what it has to offer. Although I have aspirations for the National Academy for Educational Leadership and for myself personally, the main drive for my participation as an Associate is to further improve the learning experiences for my staff and pupils at Ysgol Y Dderi.”
Heini’s husband Brian runs his own transport company, her son Gruffydd is studying for his A-levels and her daughter Martha is studying for her GCSEs.
