Female Leaders in Education: Meet Morag Moore

According to FE Week, women make up 55.6% of leadership roles in further education. Yet, data from the World Economic Forum suggests that at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now.

Campus Director of Skegness TEC, Morag Moore, is just one of six females in leadership positions across the TEC Partnership. Defying the statistics and making a clear impact in leading the development of education across the region, Morag’s story is one set to inspire.

Morag’s early career

Morag had an untypical pathway into education. She started her career in equestrian work, pursuing her childhood hobby and training to be a riding instructor. Following completion of college, she undertook some agency work across Lincolnshire and took up a post working with students with special educational needs – a temporary job that inspired a life-long career.

“This sparked my interest in working with young people and was my initial step into education!” remembers Morag.

She joined the TEC Partnership as a casual programme leader in the animal care department, working at Grimsby Institute’s Nunsthorpe campus prior to the development of the new animal care centre. From there, she progressed through various roles, including curriculum manager, head of area, and associate principal.

A principal role

Her hard work and determination paid off, as she was named Campus Director of Skegness TEC in May 2024.

“I was thrilled to be appointed as Campus Director!” enthused Morag. “It is such a key role for the partnership, Skegness, and the wider community. I felt honoured to be part of that journey and the upcoming transition into the new Skegness campus, which will open in September of this year.”

Morag is open about the many opportunities she’s been presented with while working in Further Education, but her favourite career highlight is yet to come:

“I’m excited about the imminent opening of the new campus in Skegness this year. What an opportunity this is! It is a brand-new purpose-built campus with exceptional facilities to provide the communities and young people in and around Skegness opportunities to train and develop the skills needed right here in the town.

“Investments like this change lives for so many young people. It is exciting to be part of this and work with employer partners to develop educational offers that fulfil young people’s ambitions but also recognise and respond to the needs of the local area.”

Room for growth

While it is clear that the sector has arguably made significant strides for female representation in boardrooms across Further Education, International Women’s Day acts as a stark reminder that there is further action to take.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action’. Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

“As an education provider, we have a responsibility to break down these barriers and biases,” said Morag, sharing her thoughts. “We have a unique opportunity with each student that walks through our doors to educate both them and employers about gender equality and promoting opportunities in sectors that continue to be male-dominated.”

Thinking about the young people stepping onto Skegness TEC’s new campus or entering the workforce for the first time, Morag had the following advice to share:

“We all get scared or nervous, and that’s okay. There are lots of opportunities to grow and develop, so try to embrace them. Dream big, take every opportunity, and trust your gut!”