DESCRIBE RACHEL AND HER ROLE AT WATERLOO ROAD.
Rachel is the headteacher. She is strong, but warm, with a wry, sometimes playful sense of humour. She is very committed to her work, which she sees as a vocation. Straight-forward, blunt, doesn't suffer fools. Demands the best from her staff. Kind, caring, soft-hearted, under a matter of fact exterior.

WHAT SORT OF A TEACHER IS RACHEL?
Rachel doesn't teach but she is inspiring her teachers and pupils to better themselves. She is introducing a business and college status to the school, encouraging the kids to take subjects more suited to their talents and environment than standard options, e.g. hairdressing, catering, childcare etc.

WHAT PLANS DOES RACHEL HAVE FOR THE SCHOOL?
To develop and expand the school into a College. Students can stay on and take options that they are passionate about and will be able to turn into definite careers on leaving. She believes in giving every level of ability an equal chance.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT RACHEL?
I like her courage and commitment, and her connection with the humanity in people. She has an instinctive ability to bring out the best in people.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT RACHEL?
She is a loner. She needs to open up to people more and share herself.

DO YOU THINK YOU'D LIKE RACHEL IF YOU MET HER?
Yes, very much - she reminds me of me!

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE THEME OF INCLUSION IN THIS SERIES, SHOULD PUPILS WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS AND ABILITIES BE EDUCATED WITHIN THE MAINSTREAM SYSTEM?
If the staff are trained to deal with different needs and constructive time is given to all needs and levels of ability, than I think it is a good idea for the children to experience diversity in learning. But this would require more staff than in a normal comprehensive.

DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TELEVISION PROGRAMMES TO ILLUSTRATE THESE ISSUES?
Yes, absolutely.

DOES RACHEL HAVE A LOVE INTEREST?
No. What a shame, she deserves one! But there seems to be a spark between her and Eddie.

WHICH CHARACTER AT WATERLOO ROAD DOES RACHEL RELATE BEST TO?
Probably Eddie - he has similar beliefs and morals. But she gets on with them all - except Grantly and Steph, when they are being lazy and doing their jobs badly.

WHEN YOU ARRIVED ON THE WATERLOO ROAD SET, WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
How great that we were filming in a real school and not a set. How much the school needed a good clean and the actors' area needed a face-lift!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLE?
Playing a ghost in 'The Turn of the Screw' at the Dundee Theatre.

WHICH ROLE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE BEST KNOWN FOR?
Well it's very hard to live down Coronation Street and Tanya Pooley. Even though I left 14 years ago and have played more than 25 different roles since then (and I was only on the 'Street' for a year)!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORYLINE COMING UP AND WHY?
The end episode - it's strong.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT RECORDING WATERLOO ROAD?
Meeting some great people and loving my character.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER FINISHING FILMING THE SERIES?
Having a rest! A little holiday, a lovely family Christmas, more work.

HAVE YOU ANY LONG TERM GOALS OR AMBITIONS?
Millions - that's a whole other subject.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Worthington Farm, Appley Bridge, Wigan.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
After 20 years of living in London, I have just moved back to Appley Bridge!

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE PICKED UP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EITHER SCHOOLS/TEACHING/EDUCATION SINCE PLAYING RACHEL?
Definitely, I'm much more sympathetic to a true teacher's cause, and the difficulties they encounter, but I grew up with a mother who was a teacher so...

WATERLOO ROAD IS FILMED IN ROCHDALE NEAR MANCHESTER, ARE YOU ENJOYING LIVING AND WORKING AROUND MANCHESTER?
Love Manchester.

HAVE YOU MANAGED TO SEE MUCH OF THE LOCAL AREA?
Bit hard when you work 15 hours a day. Maybe someone could give me a guided tour (limousine please)!