Mary is an education leader and former biomedical scientist with over a decade of experience in science education and teacher development. After beginning her career in NHS cellular pathology, she transitioned into teaching and later higher education. She currently leads on ITT Partnerships, specialising in teacher training, school partnerships, and high‑quality professional development for educators.
Mary Nkune is an experienced education leader whose career bridges biomedical science, secondary teaching, and teacher education within higher education. She holds a first class in degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Essex and began her professional journey as a Biomedical Scientist within an NHS Trust, where she specialised in Cellular Pathology (Histology) and achieved professional registration with the Health and Care Professionals council (HCPC). This early career developed her strong analytical approach and commitment to evidence‑informed practice.
Following the completion of a PGCE with QTS in Chemistry in 2014, Mary spent nearly a decade working as a science teacher in West London. During this time, she held leadership roles including Deputy Curriculum Lead for GCSE Science, overseeing outcomes that placed students within the top 3% nationally. She also led initiatives to raise attainment for pupil premium students and led on teacher training and professional development, supporting trainee and newly qualified teachers.
In 2021, Mary moved into higher education, leading on ITT Partnerships at St Mary’s University. In this role, she oversees placement‑based training across all courses leading to QTS, as well as the development and management of Initial Teacher Training partnerships, working, closely with school leaders to ensure student placements are high quality, supportive, and well‑prepared spaces for trainee teachers.
Mary completed a Master’s in Education (Leading Innovation and Change) in 2023, developing expertise in change agency, leadership, and research‑informed practice. Her research into trainee teachers’ perspectives on placement‑based training directly informed improvements to ITT partnership provision at the university. In 2025, she further strengthened her leadership practice by completing a Senior Leader Apprenticeship and a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice with the Chartered Management Institute, exploring strategic leadership, risk management, and personal and team development in the evolving educational landscape.
Key qualifications
- Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Diploma – Strategic Management and Leadership Practice (September 2025)
- National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) (January 2025)
- MA Education: Leading Innovation and Change (September 2023)
- PGCE with QTS (Chemistry) (July 2014)
- BSc Biomedical Sciences (July 2009)
Areas of expertise
- Teacher training and professional development
- Teacher recruitment
- Teacher mentoring
- ITT Ofsted inspections
- Teacher workload
- Education policy
- Science education
- Initial teacher training and Early career teachers