After graduating from the University of Leeds Kirsten worked abroad as a voluntary teacher in state run schools in Eastern Europe, teaching English. On her return she entered industry as a graduate management trainee for a large corporation and worked as a department, and senior manager before becoming a trouble shooter for failing departments.
After seven years Kirsten decided to return to her love of teaching and enrolled to study for her PGCE in Business and Economics at the University of Hull. Her teaching career began at Driffield School, where she was a Business and Economics teacher, with responsibilities for whole-school Enterprise and the EPQ. During her time at Driffield, she completed her Certificate in Continued Professional Development before studying part time for her MEd in Leadership and Change at the University of Hull
Kirsten moved to Woldgate School and Sixth Form College in 2014 to take up the role of Head of Business and within just two years had moved the lowest performing department in the school to one of the highest. Business Studies GCSE grades rose by 30%, with the Business BTEC ALPS outcomes increasing by 5 levels and the 2015 Ofsted report commended the sixth form business students for their strong progress.
Kirsten has continued to take on additional responsibilities as Head of Psychology and as an Associated Assistant Headteacher, where she introduced Enterprise into the school via the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and whole school Enterprise events. Before joining the Institute of Education, Kirsten performed an associate role in the Wonder Teaching School and continues to lead on ITT, intern recruitment, CPD and marketing across the trust.