Meet the Sixth Form team
Mr Theobold
Deputy Head of School & Director of Sixth Form
Mr Theobold has been part of Didsbury High School since it opened in 2019 and is both Deputy Head of School and Director of Sixth Form. Being an English Language specialist himself, he went to the University of Leeds before completing his Masters in Education through Manchester Metropolitan University. Mr Theobold is highly dedicated to his aim of ensuring that students access the high level of education that they all deserve. He is passionate about students having high aspirations academically, socially and concerning their futures. One of the main reasons why Mr Theobold joined the teaching profession was to support young people in these pursuits, which is a core purpose of the Laurus Trust and Didsbury Sixth Form.
Mrs Roberts
Sixth Form Academic Services Manager
Mrs Roberts graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a BA Honours degree in Theatre Practice. She started her working life in Hospitality and spent the past 14 years working for some of Manchester’s well-known restaurants and hotels as an Event Manager. During the pandemic she had the opportunity to work alongside the NHS to help and was able to reflect on the elements of her roles she feels most passionate about, which has always been the training and development of her junior team members.
Mrs Roberts joined Didsbury Sixth Form in October 2022 as Academic Services Manager. She is responsible for coordinating the operations of the Sixth Form and overseeing the provision of administrative support to the Sixth Form team.
She feels very privileged to welcome students joining the Sixth Form ,and seeing their journey with us, and beyond develop.
Mr Williams
Pastoral Head of Sixth Form
Mr Williams graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA Honours degree in Applied Community and Youth Work Studies. He started his working life in Youth Work and spent the following years in Youth Services and Education across Greater Manchester, supporting young people in a range of settings.
Mr Williams joined Didsbury Sixth Form in September 2023 as Pastoral Head of Sixth Form. He is responsible for supporting students’ attendance, behaviour, punctuality and wellbeing. He is dedicated to removing barriers to learning so students are able to reach their full potential.
Mr Williams is looking forward to supporting the Sixth Form students through their academic journeys over the coming years.
Mr Shirlin
Head of Economics, Sixth Form Tutor and UCAS Lead
Mr Shirlin studied Politics and Economics at the University of York and has been teaching since 2010 across a number of schools in Essex and Manchester. He joined Didsbury High School in 2023 as the Head of Economics and as a Sixth Form Tutor. He believes that the study of Economics helps students to better understand the world around them, and often inspires and motivates them to make a positive contribution to their local communities and beyond. He is keen to help students find and nurture these wider interests, as well as help them in their ambitions for Life After Laurus – whether that be aiming for a top university, pursuing a Graduate Apprenticeship, or entering the world of work in a career they are passionate about.
Miss Butler
Head of Psychology, Sixth Form Tutor and EPQ Lead
Miss Butler graduated from the University of Nottingham with a first-class honors degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. She completed her PGDE at Liverpool Hope University in which she taught aspects of Psychology, Sociology and Criminology. She taught in secondary schools in Greater Manchester teaching Psychology and Sociology to sixth form students before moving to Didsbury Sixth form as a subject lead in Psychology as well as leading the EPQ.
Miss Butler is very excited to have joined the Didsbury High School community and is dedicated to instilling a love for her subject within the sixth form and creating a vibrant, creative and supportive environment for all. She hopes to challenge her students and push them out of their comfort zone to be their best possible self and to strive for the brightest future.
Mrs Clarke
Sixth Form Receptionist and Admin Assistant
Mrs Clarke graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA(Hons) in Criminology and started her working life as an Anti Social Behaviour Officer for a large northwest housing association. It was here that she realised that she wanted to focus on working with and supporting children and has worked in the education sector since. She has gained experience with a wide age group and in different roles and enjoys supporting students to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Having joined Didsbury Sixth Form in September 2023 as Receptionist and Admin Assistant, she is very much looking forward to her journey with the students and staff.