Justine Barlow, Principal of Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College in Leeds, has been appointed as a National Leader of Further Education (NLFE) by the Department for Education, recognising her exceptional leadership and commitment to driving excellence across the further education (FE) sector.
NLFEs are experienced, high-performing college leaders who work beyond their own institutions to provide strategic support, mentoring, and improvement expertise to other colleges across the country. As part of the prestigious NLFE programme, Justine will join a national network of education professionals who are playing a vital role in shaping the future of FE in England.
Justine brings with her over 30 years of experience in further education, including 20 years in leadership and management roles, and 14 years as a senior leader across two outstanding sixth form colleges. She began her career in 1993 at Blackburn College as a Lecturer in the History of Art and Design, a position she held for 12 years. In 2005, she joined St Mary’s College, Blackburn, where she served as Head of Faculty and Head of Art & Design until 2010. She then moved to Cardinal Newman College in Preston, where she was Vice Principal for seven years. In this role, she led on curriculum development, teaching, and learning, and introduced several key initiatives, including the launch of the Schools Direct programme and the development of higher education courses in partnership with multiple universities.
In April 2018, Justine was appointed Principal of Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, one of the top-performing sixth form colleges in the country. Under her leadership, the college has thrived, earning two Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ ratings, including a ‘Strong’ rating for skills in 2024—the first college in Yorkshire and Humber to achieve this. The college has consistently achieved excellent academic results and strengthened its partnerships with local employers and higher education institutions.
In her new role as an NLFE, Justine will support other college leaders by diagnosing areas for improvement, providing strategic mentoring, and leading collaborative projects that help raise standards and student outcomes. She will also work closely with the Further Education Commissioner’s team, other NLFEs, and National Leaders of Governance (NLGs) to ensure consistent improvement across the sector.
Reflecting on the appointment, Justine said: "I am honoured to be appointed as a National Leader of Further Education. I’m passionate about the transformative power of education and believe in the importance of strong, values-driven leadership. I look forward to working alongside colleagues across the country to share expertise, support innovation, and ultimately improve the life chances of young people in all communities."
Participation in the NLFE programme not only allows college leaders like Justine to share their knowledge and experience, but also brings development opportunities for senior staff at their own institutions, who often take part in leading improvement projects and transferring learning back into their home college.
The staff at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College is immensely proud of Justine’s achievement and looks forward to supporting her in this important new role.
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