CABRONAXIE.COM - Key Persons
A Cambridge graduate who has spent a lifetime in education! Started out as teacher of Modern Languages in Dorset, promoted to Head of Department before moving as Deputy Head to the King鈥檚 School, Rochester. Then 15 years as Head of Birkenhead School which included overseeing the conversion of the school to full independence after the abolition of the Assisted Places scheme, a move to co-education and growth ultimately of a 4-18 school to over 1,000 students. Then 6 years as Head of the English School, Nicosia- an English medium school for Greek Cypriot students who were then joined by Turkish Cypriot students after the re-opening of the border in 2003. Considerable experience therefore in dealing with issues of integration and minority rights. Before moving to Cyprus worked as ISI inspector for 10 years and then, after retirement, conducted OFSTED style inspections in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Retired since 2009 in Congresbury, but still working part time as Senior Compliance Inspector for Cambridge International Exams which has included some 15 visits to different countries, as well as trouble shooting within UK institutions. Now Chairman of the Friends of St. Andrew鈥檚 Church, Congresbury and a Foundation Governor at St. Anne鈥檚 since 2012- further village involvement with the cricket club and as Library volunteer which has 鈥搕o date!- prevented the closure of the facility by the Local Authority, and allowed its increased exploitation as a community asset.
Agnieszka joined the Central Finance Team in September 2021 having previously lived in Poland. In 2007 she completed her studies at the University of Agriculture in Poland and became Mc Ing. of Technology of Food and Human Nutrition. She moved to England in 2008 and until 2016 she was working as Senior Care Assistant. For the last 5 years she has worked at Weston General Hospital as a Nursing Assistant, before wanting a change of career and decided to study AAT at Weston College.
Agnieszka completed her AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting and is now a fully qualified Accounting Technician.
Alex graduated from Lancaster University and initially gained administration experience by working in the manufacturing industry supporting their international customer services function. She started her HR career in 2008 at an independent school prior to joining WCSA in June 2016. Alex has completed her level 3 & 5 CIPD qualification in Human Resources Management. She is currently undertaking her level 7 qualification. She is an Associate member of the CIPD.
Ali Bird × Ali joined the Central Finance Team in February 2022, having previously worked in Banking for nearly 40 years. Ali has also completed her AAT Levels 2&3 and is now a qualified bookkeeper. She has decided to have a change of career to work closer to home and become a part of the local community. Ali is also proud to be a part of the school attended recently by both of her children who are now at/going to University, Southampton University and London College of Contemporary Art respectively. A super proud mum.
Job Titles:
- Projects Officer ( Contracts & Procurement )
Job Titles:
- Early Years Strategic Lead
Job Titles:
- Head of Finance Job Share
Anne Clubb joined Priory Community School in 2010 to add capacity to the school and help move forward the school's innovative business ideas.
Before joining the school Anne was the Education Funding Manager for North Somerset Council responsible for allocating 拢90m of funding to 78 schools and previously was a schools finance officer supporting schools.
Since joining she has been involved in the conversion to Academy and subsequent conversion to Multi Academy Trust. Leading on the financial aspects of pooling GAG, implementation of centralised finance system with one bank account, monthly monitoring and budget setting and centralising the schools finance staff into one central finance team.
Ben Baker × Ben studied a BTEC Diploma in IT at Weston College for two years and joined the IT Team at PCSA for Work Experience, for the duration of his course. After the successful placement, he was then employed as an Apprentice IT Technician and has since been promoted to a 1st Line IT Technician. Ben is excited about future IT projects across the Trust and thrives while learning new skills and meeting new people. Ben is a former PCSA student.
Ben Dodd × Ben studied a BTEC Extended diploma in IT at Weston College for two years then progressed to studying Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Applied Computing at University of the West of England. After achieving a BSc Honours degree, Ben joined the PCSA IT team as a first line technician and was quickly promoted to a second line position. Ben is a former PCSA student.
Bev joined Priory Community School in January 2004 as a receptionist from Weston College where she had worked for 6 years. Bev then progressed to join the Finance team in March 2010. Bev was one of the first ever pupils at Priory School when it opened in 1975.
Cam Doyle × Cam completed a BTEC IT Diploma at Weston College and has worked within the IT industry ever since. After building his career as an IT technician for a local business and then the NHS, Cam has joined the team as a second line IT technician. Cam is a former PCSA student."
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Foundation Trustee
Ceri was a mathematics teacher and then Headteacher at three schools - he also worked at The University of Warwick teaching mathematics for six years. Ceri also served as one of Her Majesty鈥檚 Inspectors for ten years and became Assistant Divisional Manager specifically working with schools causing concern. Ceri also spent 5 years (including a secondment from Ofsted) as a consultant to the British Council and worked with Iraq, Sudan and Afghanistan amongst others as an international consultant before returning as to the Department for Education as Deputy Director between 2016 and 2019. He has been Director for Education and Skills in Herefordshire since 2019. He has also worked with many multi academy trusts and the Welsh Government on specific policies to improve schools. He used to play rugby and now enjoys watching it at any level from Welsh internationals to his five year old grandson learning the sport. He is trying to learn to cook properly too.
Charlie Milton × I initially started studying Archaeology at the University of Bristol in 2012, and eventually moved into a learning support role at The Holy Trinity Primary School in Taunton. Here I completed my Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support in Teaching and Learning in Schools, focusing on the teaching of Computing in a Primary School setting. Wanting to expand my working IT knowledge, I found myself joining the IT Team at TKASA - the school where I was formerly a student. Even though I work in IT, I still have a true passion for all things historical. I even help run a Viking Age re-enactment group in my spare time (we have invaded The King Alfred School Academy once or twice!)
Charlotte Stevens × Charlotte joined 心灵社区 in September 2022 , having previously worked in the Dental industry for over 12 years. Charlotte has over 15 years of administration experience gaining lots of skills and knowledge, supporting areas such as finance and sales. She obtained her Level 3 Certificate in Personnel Practice in 2011. Charlotte is a former student of The King Alfred School- An Academy.
Job Titles:
- Head of Finance Job Share
Clare joined 心灵社区 in January 2018 as Trust Finance Manager. Clare was a student at Priory Community School and after leaving school, studied A levels at Weston College, spent a year at Plymouth Polytechnic and returned to Weston College to study a Higher Diploma Business Administration Course. Clare started her working career working for Learning Partnership West (LPW) in a finance administration role where she successfully completed her Association of Accounting Technician qualification. When Clare left LPW she was Assistant Finance Manager and had supported the company through growth and a change in financial management system. Clare鈥檚 next role was School Funding Office at North Somerset Council where she built up her knowledge of funding of schools and supporting schools across North Somerset. Clare recently completed the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA) Professional Qualification which is now known as CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant). Recently Clare became Head of Finance Job Share and works alongside Anne Clubb to support the central Finance team and give financial guidance and support to the Trust.
Dan Milford × Dan started his teaching career in 1995, having trained at Marjons University in Plymouth, as a teacher of Physical Education. After teaching for a few years in Devon and Cornwall, he relocated and started working at Worle Community School, now WCSA. During his time there, he held roles such as Head of PE, Head of Year and Assistant Principal in charge of conduct and behaviour. Dan formed part of the Leadership team when Worle Community School became WCSA as part of the Trust in 2017 and this led to him moving across the King Alfred School in Highbridge in late 2017, initially on a secondment, as Head of Conduct and Culture. In 2018, as King Alfred School joined the Trust and became an academy (TKASA), he was appointed Vice Principal, working closely alongside Principal Nathan Jenkins. In April 2021, Dan took over as Acting Principal before this role was made permanent in October 2021. Dan is passionate about the importance of building strong relationships as they are the key to success; relationships between staff and students, schools and their communities and between colleagues across the Trust. Outside of education, Dan is a keen sportsman who regularly enjoys golf, tennis, cycling and going to the gym, as well as supporting his youngest son by helping to coach his football team. Dan鈥檚 daughter is also part of the Trust as she is an English teacher at TKASA.
Danni has extensive HR generalist experience working at both large and small firms, having worked previously in the private sector before joining PCSA in 2013 and became the Head of Human Resources in October 2018. Danni graduated from the University of the West of England with an MSc in Human Resource Management and has previously gained Level 3 & 5 in Human Resource Management and is a member of CIPD. Danni was a previous student at PCSA.
David began life as a teacher moving through the Educational Structures finishing as a Principal Education Officer for Gloucestershire County Council. He moved from the Education system into the charity sector where he was CEO of 3 National charities before setting up his own business as a charity consultant specialising in Business and Event Management. He lives in Berrow with his wife Julie who was also a teacher. His 3 children have all entered the teaching profession and 2 of his grandchildren attend local schools.
Job Titles:
- Inclusion Lead / Head of Training School Alliance
Denise Hurr studied Music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama before qualifying as a teacher. She holds a MA in Education with a specialism in Leadership and Management and her National Professional Qualification for Headship. She has taught students aged 11 - 18 in Bristol, Weston Super Mare, Newport (Wales) and Burnham on Sea. She became a Headteacher in 2011 of a large Secondary school in Newport and then subsequently took on a second Headship in 2014 in Somerset.
Denise became Head of 心灵社区 Teaching School Alliance in September 2018.
Denise's core values are about ensuring that all students receive the best education they can to allow them to follow their dreams.
Retired Headteacher of a local, Ofsted 鈥極utstanding鈥� Academy who was in Secondary education for 35 years, twenty of which as Head. Initially working in London, I have worked in a variety of urban and rural settings, starting as a teacher of History and rising to lead two schools. My time in senior leadership has coincided with local management and I have been involved in budget setting and monitoring in two LAs. I led Churchill into Foundation status prior to conversion to an Academy. Originally from Kent, we (wife Ruth and two now grown up daughters) have settled in this area and have lived here since 2002. I am an advocate of MATs as an important way forward in raising standards and rationalising resources at a time when LAs will play less of a role in managing schools.
Job Titles:
- Officer
- PA to Chief Executive
Liz Davis studied Business Administration at Weston College and worked in industry prior to joining Priory Community School in 1994. Liz was invited to join the Social Education Faculty in 1998 as the Work Related Learning Administrator, gaining further qualifications in Careers Advice & Guidance and Counselling. Liz was appointed as Head of Careers in 2007 and spent 8 years developing the role to enhance the curriculum and the range of opportunities for young people to learn about the world of work.
Liz joined the Priory Learning Trust Central Team in June 2016 as Personal Assistant to the CEO and currently also has oversight of the marketing of the Trust, working alongside the communications team.
Ellie joined the Central Finance Team in January 2020 after working as a Finance Administrator at Priory Community School Academy since 2015. Whilst working at PCSA, Ellie completed her AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting and is now a fully qualified accounting technician. Ellie is a former student at WCSA.
Emma Barker × I am Principal across three fabulous and unique primary academies in rural Somerset 鈥� Pawlett Primary School Academy, East Huntspill Primary Academy and West Huntspill Primary Academy. I am passionate and determined to provide the very best education experience for our learners 鈥� both for the children and the adults I work with. Reading, Oracy and Learning Outdoors are at the heart of our curriculum delivery in our schools. Having come into education later in my career, my experiences, skills and knowledge brings an alternative perspective to my leadership, one I continue to develop and grow.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Senior Finance Officer
Emma Barrett × Emma started work at TKASA in September 2019 as a Finance Administrator and joined the Central Finance Team in September 2020. Emma became a Finance Officer in April 2021. She has 2 Children studying at TKASA and is proud to work in the Central Finance Team. She previously worked as a Management Accountant and has experience in Accounts and HR Roles. She has an AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting Qualification and also currently holds a Brown Belt in Mixed Martial Arts.
Emma Hardy-Smith × Emma has worked in education since 1996. She has a BA Honours degree in History and a PGCE in Primary education. Emma has held a number of leadership roles in a variety of primary schools across North Somerset and Somerset including a number of years in the role of SENDCO resulting in a passion for inclusion. Emma has specialised in leading teaching and learning and school improvement and has supported two schools in Special Measures. Since 2018, Emma has been working with the PLT ,initially as an interim Headteacher at PPSA and Vice Principal at SACA. Since January 2020, Emma has been Principal of SACA, which is our only dual site primary academy. Emma is very passionate about curriculum development and inclusive child-centred learning. She leads the primary curriculum across the trust.
Job Titles:
- Consultant to the Priory Learning Trust
Felicity is a Consultant to the Priory Learning Trust, supporting our Human Resource strategy. She is a non-practising Solicitor, specialising in employment law and human resource management in the education, healthcare and social care sectors.
Job Titles:
- Interim Head of School Improvement for North Somerset
Gail Webb studied PE and Science at S Katharines College Liverpool before entering teaching. She holds a MEd in Science education. She has taught in Knowsley and Wirral schools becoming a Headteacher in Wirral in 1995. Gail was a School Improvement Inspector in Halton and Wirral, becoming Senior Inspector in 2000.
In 2006, she became Director of Teaching and Learning for England working for the National Strategies. Following this she was Head of School Improvement in Oldham (2008) and Leeds (2012).
In 2015 Gail became interim Head of School Improvement for North Somerset. As part of this role she worked as part of the senior leadership team at Worle Community School supporting its improvement journey.
Presently, she is working as a Challenge Partner for North Somerset and as School Improvement Consultant for the Priory Learning Trust. Gail continues to be a teacher at heart with children and young people, which is a key driver of her career.
Job Titles:
- Director of Secondary Education & Standards
Gregg trained to be a PE and English teacher at Marjons in Plymouth, before beginning his career at Valentines High School in East London. In this 11-18 school Gregg taught the full age range and was promoted internally to middle leadership, before moving to Harris Academy Merton, South London, as an Assistant Principal. Here he led the Enterprise & Sport Faculty, and also the specialism of the same name. Gregg also worked across the Harris Federation with helping new schools into the organisation. Gregg moved to Somerset in 2011 where he was Deputy Headteacher at Robert Blake School, before being appointed Principal at Preston School in Yeovil in 2015. In 2022, Preston鈥檚 GCSE results were among the most improved in the country. Gregg has also been the Vice Chair of the Somerset Association of Secondary Headteachers (SASH) for several years, leading their Professional Development Group. When not working, Gregg enjoys watching his children play sport, some leisurely running and walking his dog.
Hannah Lippiatt × Hannah started at PCSA in January 2018 and joined the Central Finance Team in September 2020. She worked in the legal sector specialising in costs law for over 10 years and qualified as a Costs Lawyer in 2016, before wanting a change and joining PCSA. Hannah is a former PCSA student.
Ilona Stefanowicz × Ilona started at Priory Community School in September 2019 as a Finance Administrator and joined the Central Finance Team in September 2020. Previously she worked in the leisure industry as a Finance Assistant. Ilona completed her Bachelor of Management degree at AGH University of Science and Technology. Recently Ilona gained her AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting at Weston College.
Job Titles:
- Director of Careers
- Head of Careers at Priory Community School
James Wilmot is Head of Careers at Priory Community School Academy and also manages the careers offer across all schools in 心灵社区. James is a Psychology graduate with many years鈥� experience in the recruitment industry. He has also worked for community careers organisations and ran apprenticeship recruitment at Weston College before joining The PLT in 2015.
James believes that effective careers advice in schools through events, activities and 121s is vital for students to become brave, kind, curious and brave young adults. These attributes are the real secret to a happy and healthy career.
Jamie started working for the PLT in September 2021 and joined the central finance team as an apprentice. Jamie joined straight from Worle Community School Academy having earned his GCSE's in August 2021. He is now currently studying his Level 3 AAT.
Job Titles:
- Head of Science at Worle Community School
Janet Criddle studied Genetics at Leeds University before entering teaching.
She holds a BSc Hons and a PGCE in Science, and is currently studying an MSc in Medicinal Science with the Open University. Since 2000 she has taught in Dudley, South Tyneside, Bristol and North Somerset schools.
Janet became Head of Science at Worle Community School in Weston-super-Mare in 2010 and led their highly successful science team there before becoming Director of Science Outcomes for 心灵社区 in 2017.
Janet is passionate about science education and the opportunities that the sciences can offer students.
Jason Edwards × Jason studied History at Cardiff University before training as a teacher at the University of York in 1997. He has taught in a number of secondary schools including in Chesham, Bristol and Cheddar. Jason has a long association with Priory Community School, dating back to 2003. He has a Master鈥檚 degree in school leadership from Plymouth Marjon University and, since 2008, has worked as a school leader including as Deputy Headteacher in two schools. He is currently Assistant Principal at Priory. Jason is passionate about supporting teachers to develop their classroom techniques. He has a keen interest in developing professional learning and coaching programmes and works with schools across 心灵社区 to support them in this. Jason has long been an enthusiastic advocate of the WalkThrus toolkit for teachers. He works as a consultant for WalkThrus, supporting schools across the country to implement effective professional learning programmes using their resources. Outside of work, Jason loves spending time in Berlin, studying German history, running trail marathons and enjoying time with his family.
Joe Oaten × Joe studied for a Bachelor of Arts (hons) degree in Creative Music Technology at Falmouth University in Cornwall and graduated in 2019. He began his IT career as an apprentice with South Gloucestershire Council. After gaining experience as a 1st Line and 2nd Line engineer and excelling over the course of his employment, Joe joined 心灵社区 as a 3rd Line IT engineer in October 2023."
John was elected as MP for Weston, Worle and the Villages in 2005 and again in 2010 and 2015. He is involved in many local community initiatives and campaigns for local people on Drugs & Crime, Local Health Funding, Local School Funding and Regenerating Weston.
John is the son of two teachers and attended a Church of England Primary school before winning a state scholarship to Ipswich School and then a place at Cambridge University to study law before doing his MBA at Columbia University. Before Parliament John had an extensive and successful business career working for a variety of large, blue chip companies starting with J P Morgan (risk management on a bank trading floor); then McKinsey (strategic management consultancy); Thompson (academic book publishing) culminating at Pearson PLC (Managing Director of Longman鈥檚 schoolbook publishing operations) before striking out on his own in a Management Buy-Out of Logotron (educational software for schools), later adding Widget (special needs software for children with dyslexia). He also helped found Credit Market Analysis (publishing credit data for financial firms) which was sold to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and is now part of Standard & Poors. After becoming Weston鈥檚 MP in 2005, John served on the Work & Pensions Select Committee, where he was sole author of an annexe to the Committee鈥檚 report on Benefits Simplification, outlining a radical new structure for the benefits system which largely matched the Coalition Government鈥檚 new Universal Credit a few years later. He also contributed to the Welfare Reform Bill and Finance Bills. John then became a shadow business minister, his ideas of 鈥榦ne-in, one-out鈥� regulatory budgets and regular reviews of all quangos are now making a profound and continuing impact on the way Whitehall works. From 2010 to 2012 John was Tourism & Heritage Minster, covering the Queen鈥檚 Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. During his tenure the Tourism industry was one of the fastest-growing sectors of Britain鈥檚 economy, and John also wrote and implemented the Government鈥檚 Tourism Strategy; began a process to turn English Heritage鈥檚 properties (Stonehenge, Dover Castle, Tintagel and many others) into a second National Trust; removed silly red tape licenses on live entertainment; sold the Tote bookmaker; protected the Lloyds of London building with a 鈥楪rade 1鈥� listing and much else.
After being re-elected for the third time in 2015 with his largest majority to date, John was promoted to the high profile role of Minister for Constitutional Reform, helping to devolve more powers to the Scots, Welsh and Irish Governments, English Votes for English Laws, and organising the 鈥業n or Out鈥� EU Referendum before leaving the role in July 2016. He is married to Dido Harding, Chief Executive of TalkTalk, the broadband firm, and they have two young daughters. His hobbies are fishing and beekeeping.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Foundation Member
John has spent his whole working life in education - some 43 years - in a variety of teaching posts in secondary schools and FE colleges in West Yorkshire and Somerset. Beginning as an English teacher in a Secondary Modern School in 1966, he progressed to FE where he spent 29 years. He started at the bottom as an Assistant Lecturer teaching English, History and General Studies. Moving jobs, he progressed to Senior Lecturer responsible for Curriculum Design and Development as well as managing the department timetable across a federation of three colleges. Finally, he moved to the South West to become Head of Department then Assistant Principal of a successful FE college. A member of the senior management team among other things, he managed the staffing changes (TUPE) when colleges moved to being centrally funded independent institutions. Since then, a number of part time and supply posts and some consultancy work gave experience of a number of schools. He has been a school governor since 2006 (currently vice chair) and has been a member of School Appeals Tribunals for school admissions for six years for two local authority areas.
Job Titles:
- Designer
- Authorised Representative of the Diocese of Bath and Wells
- Trustee of North Somerset Arts
Jonquil Brooks was previously Chair of the Board of Governors at St Anne鈥檚 Church of England V A Primary School with sites in both Hewish and West Wick. She has substantial prior governance experience including 3 years as diocesan nominated Foundation governor at St Andrew鈥檚 School, Congresbury (2003-2006); 4 years as Business Governor at Tiverton High School (2002-2006) and was elected as staff governor at several FE colleges (1990-2000).
Her special interests as a governor include curriculum development and maintaining standards of teaching and learning, fund-raising and nursery provision.
Jonquil trained as a designer and worked for several years in London as a practising designer. When she entered the post 16 educations sector she undertook in service teacher training to post graduate level, and holds a Masters degree in Educational Management. She has worked in the Further Education college sector first as a lecturer and then as a senior manager for over 30 years including 8 years as a College Principal, following a successful career in the Fashion industry as a Head Designer for one of Marks and Spencers main suppliers. She is now retired and has been a governor at St Anne鈥檚 since 2011. Having had experience of new build projects in the college sector, she Chaired the New Build Task Group during the process of obtaining and building the new St Anne鈥檚 at West Wick school site.
Outside her voluntary work as a governor Jonquil is a Trustee of North Somerset Arts and enjoys designing and producing artwork and creative textiles in her spare time. She is a member of a local gym and keeps fit through swimming, yoga and Pilates. She is married and has two adult children both in their early 30s.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Estates & Compliance Manager
Karen Geddes × Karen holds the NEBOSH Certification in Construction Health & Safety together with various building management qualifications. Her experience with property management began in South Africa and more recently with North Somerset Council where she held the position of Property Compliance Officer. Karen joined 心灵社区 on the 5 th October 2021 as Assistant Estates and Compliance Manager. She brings with her over 12 years of Health & Safety, business management knowledge and experience, across a wide range of property portfolios from high football corporate offices to educational properties. Karen looks forward to the challenges that lay ahead and working with all the academies within The Trust.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Trustee
- Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development
A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) having worked for over 13 years in Human Resources. Operating at a strategic level as Head of HR, I have built a career as an HR Generalist working in public, private and charity sectors. Having left education after A Levels, I focused on my employment and career development, later achieving my Post-Graduate Diploma in HR Management through college day release whilst working full-time. In the last few years I achieved my Level 7 Advanced Award in Employment Law. My roles have required me to create, shape and deliver people strategies focused on aspects such as policies, change management, diversity and inclusion, recruitment and retention, training and development, pay and reward and staff engagement. I have sat on senior leadership teams looking at our effectiveness and decision-making as an organisation and therefore bring with me a breadth of experience in leadership and management. I have always been passionate about education, especially it's role in building our workforce (and communities) of the future and so professionally I have always worked hard to find work experience opportunities via schools, work with Colleges on work placements, and recruit new, and upskill, existing staff via Apprenticeships and other development programmes. Personally I have volunteered my time to schools in both Governor and Enterprise Adviser positions and am an approved mentor to HR professionals via the CIPD. I believe that the experiences I have had and helped others to have will allow me to contribute and add value to our children's current school life & future opportunities.
I have been a parent Governor for approximately six years and have two children who have transited successfully through Priory School. I am a Police Officer of twenty eight years鈥� service. The last eighteen years have been spent in the public protection arena and I have worked with various partner agencies including NOMS, UKBA and various 心灵社区 Office departments. I have good links with the various Avon & Somerset Constabulary Safeguarding teams and keep myself up to date with the latest issues, such as WRAP, CSE, FBV, FM, FGM etc. I am also a member of Avon & Somerset Constabulary FGM Forum which gives me valuable insight into this and associated safeguarding issues. Although I am a Police Officer, for the last four years I have worked primarily as a trainer in my department and I run regional courses in legislation, investigation techniques, interview skills and other associated issues regionally and nationally.
Kyle joined The PLT in June 2021 on a Level 3 Business and Administration Apprenticeship. Prior to this, Kyle took part in a Level 3 Computing course with Weston College, achieving Distinctions in all his subjects.
Job Titles:
- HR Advisor
- Associate Member of the CIPD
Kym is an Associate member of the CIPD, having previously gained a Level 5 Certificate in Human Resource Management in 2019.
Lauren joined 心灵社区 in 2014, working as part of the Training School Alliance and Health and Safety Teams, before later joining the Central HR Team in 2017. Lauren is now one of the HR Managers for 心灵社区, with a specialist focus on performance and HR related projects. Lauren has extensive experience of working in both the private and public sectors, and is currently in her 2nd year of studying a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management at the University of the West of England. Lauren is an Associate member of the CIPD, having previously gained a Level 5 Certificate in Human Resource Management in 2019. Lauren is a former student of Worle Community School - An Academy.
Job Titles:
- Director of Primary Education & Standards
Lisa Dadds studied at Cardiff University and has been a teacher for over 25 years. She has taught in schools across North Somerset, Somerset and in Australia. Lisa has taught across the Primary age range and has been a successful Headteacher involved in building schools, creating Nursery provision, growing leaders and much more. She now works across all of our schools at all phases from 2 - 18 years passionately discussing curriculum, pedagogy and assessment and coaching leaders at all levels to become the best versions of themselves. Alongside this, she is an Ofsted inspector and a School Improvement Advisor. When not working, Lisa can be found happily running along the beach, reading a book and cherishing time with family and friends. She tweets @LisaDadds.
Lisa has recently joined the Central HR Team as a HR Administrator. After previously working in the public sector for over 15 years, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in customer services. Lisa鈥檚 positivity and hard work prove impeccable along with her strong work ethic and she hopes to be working towards completing a CIPD in the near future.
Louise studied Health and Environment at Leeds Metropolitan University and then took a PGCE in Secondary Science at Bath University. She started her career at Priory Community School becoming the Second in Science in her second year of teaching and the Science Faculty lead at the start of her third year. As Faculty leader, Louise launched and led a GROW coaching programme across the whole school to enhance collaborative communication amongst colleagues. She completed a Master鈥檚 degree in Leadership and Management with Plymouth Marjon University and worked as the Assistant Principal for outcomes right across the school. Since 2019 Louise has worked for 心灵社区 as the Director of Science. She is passionate about Science Education and works tirelessly to influence student engagement, develop staff professionally and improve science outcomes.
Marinde Edwards × Marinde worked in the Pensions and Life Insurance industry for over 10 years in South Africa before immigrating to the UK with her family. Marinde joined Priory Community School in September 2002 as an Administrator and developed her skillset and progressed to become the Finance Manager and is now part of the Central Team to provide financial support to schools within the Trust.
Mark has a degree in Sports and Exercise Science from Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education. Mark started his educational IT career in 2006 working at Broadoak School as an IT tech. 5 years later he accepted a Deputy Network Manager role at Backwell. In 2015 he accepted a Network Manager position at The King Alfred School an Academy and subsequently TKASA joined 心灵社区.
Job Titles:
- PCSA in 2003 As the Business Manager
Martin Kerslake joined PCSA in 2003 as the Business Manager, having worked previously in the financial services and software design industries.
During Martin鈥檚 time with PCSA he was awarded the National Bursar of the Year by the NASBM and achieved a BA (Hons) in School Business Management through Manchester Metropolitan University.
Martin was appointed Chief Operations Officer for 心灵社区 in September 2016.
Martin said he 鈥渋s looking forward to the challenge and variety that overseeing this complex and ever-changing world of school business management involves. I am incredibly lucky to be working with a strong, skilled and dedicated support team in what is a very exciting time for the Trust鈥�.
In his spare team Martin continues to study and is currently immersing himself in the world of CIMA.
Martin Thomas × Martin completed a BTEC IT Diploma at Weston College and then completed an IT apprenticeship at PCSA. He then worked mainly within the business sector, most recently with an internationally managed IT service provider. He has been with the Trust since 2016 as deputy until gaining promotion to the Network Manager position. Martin is a former PCSA student.
Job Titles:
- HR Administration Manager
Mel joined 心灵社区, Central Team in June 2020. Mel has gained wide ranging experiences during her career, including management and HR administration, whilst working within the Banking Sector and more recently with Bridgwater & Taunton College. Mel has recently gained her CIPD Level 3 Certificate.
Michelle successfully achieved a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with Human Resources at the University of Plymouth and completed her Certificate in Personnel Practice at Bristol College. She then went on to gain 15 years experience in HR administration working across the legal, retail and manufacturing sectors. In April 2018 she commenced working in the HR Team at Priory Community School an Academy and then went on to join the Priory Learning Trust Central HR Team in September 2019.
Job Titles:
- Head of Estates & Compliance
Following a varied education and career in the construction industry including draughtsmanship and a more hands on approach in carpentry/civil engineering, Mike started work at PCSA to assist a busy site team and quickly progressed to become the school鈥檚 Facilities Manager working closely with the Business Manager to deliver the myriad of improvements that PCSA enjoys today. Mike thrives on challenge and looks forward to utilising his expertise to improve the Trust as a whole.
After completing GCSEs at TKASA, Mike started his professional life as an engineering apprentice in the nuclear industry, at Hinkley Point power station. Part of this was a unit on Computer Aided Design (CAD). From this point on Mike was hooked on technology in engineering. He went on to represent the UK for Design Engineering at the Skills Olympics in Japan and was two-time national gold medalist for Mechanical Design Engineering. After 5 years as a Mechanical Design Engineer he went on to lead several international project teams in the Oil & Gas, Energy and Pharmaceutical industries. During his time as a Project Manager he completed his Bachelors Degree in Business. Mike now works for a San Francisco based tech company, Autodesk, and leads their global strategy for education. He is a member of the education and development committee for the Manufacturing Technologies Association. He was also selected to chair a technical education panel for the UK Government鈥檚 Department for Education on Engineering and Manufacturing. Mike also holds a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professorship with the University of Warwick for Industrial Digitalisation and Engineering Design. In 2019 Mike was awarded a Fellowship for the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, manufacture and commerce for services to inclusivity in education. Mike is passionate about democratising the design and make process allowing anyone to go from thought to fabrication.
Job Titles:
- CEO and Accounting Officer
- Chief Executive of CSET
William became Chief Executive of CSET in 2016. He has overseen the trust's school improvement strategy, significantly raising outcomes in the four sponsored academies including achieving Good inspection judgements for the first time in the history of Mangotsfield School and Severn Beach Primary School. William also oversaw the opening of Lyde Green Primary School, and secured an 拢18.1M investment for the refurbishment of The Castle and Marlwood Schools.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Operations Officer
Natasha joined The PLT in January 2023 as HR Admin Apprentice to progress in her career after several years of experience in the retail and the hospitality sector. Natasha is a former student of Priory Community School and went on to achieve 3 A levels in Law, Psychology and Sociology at Weston College.
Nicole Sprague × Nicole has several years of retail customer service experience and joined 心灵社区 in September 2022 to pursue a career within HR. Due to great CPD opportunities with 心灵社区 Nicole was able to progress from Apprentice to Admin Assistant quickly. Nicole has qualifications in business studies, food & beverage services and equality and diversity. Joining her colleagues on Level 3 CIPD course with Weston College in September, Nicole is very excited for the future with 心灵社区.
Olu is a first class Accounting graduate and a Chartered Accountant of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He has over 14 years of extensive financial reporting, budgeting and budgetary control, financial analysis, process control and improvement largely gained from working with the top 4 Accounting firms and reputable multinational organisations. He executed IFRS transition projects, helped clients to review impairment models and managed project change. The projects involved coaching clients on how to convert their financial statements prepared in local standards to IFRS. This involved analysing the differences between the reporting standards, the reconciliation of local reporting balances and lines of account to IFRS balances. He also had to guide entities as to the methods and requirements for financial reporting according to the IFRS. During the course of his career, he had the opportunity to engage and interact with several stakeholders such as board of companies and the regulators. Right from his tertiary education years, he was involved in academic and professional coaching for junior colleagues and since then, developed great passion to helping others both academically and morally. It gives him joy and sense of purpose about life as this enables him to add value to the society as a mentor to a number of accounting and finance graduates undergoing professional training. He is married to a beautiful lady who is also a certified accountant with 2 boys.
Paige has 5 years of HR generalist experience working within large public sector organisations across North Somerset and Bristol. Paige worked previously in the NHS before joining 心灵社区 in July 2019 as an Human Resources Manager. Paige has completed her level 3 in Human Resources Management and is an Associate member of CIPD.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Estates & Compliance Manager
Paul McLean × Paul worked for an Electrical and Mechanical company as an Air Conditioning Engineer, and also carried out various compliance tasks for a number of years over Schools in and around the North Somerset, Somerset and Bristol areas. He then moved to Worle Community School as Facilities Manager in June 2021, where he worked closely with the Operations Manager to carry out the day to day running of the school and deliver works to improve the facilities. Whilst at WCSA Paul gained his IOSH Health & Safety for School Business Professionals. Paul joined the Central Team as Assistant Estates and Compliance Manager in January 2023 and is looking forward to working closely with all of the academies within the Trust.
Job Titles:
- Support Officer to Central Business Team Leads
Paula Higginson × Paula has worked at Worle Community School Academy (WCSA) in various office based roles for the last 15 years before joining the Central Team in September 2022 on a secondment basis. Prior to joining 心灵社区 she worked for Knightstone Housing Association as an Assistant Financial Planning Accountant followed by a role at Weston General Hospital and Worle Village Primary School which led to her joining the Extended Learning Team supporting Broadoak School, Priory Community School and WCSA. Paula is now our Support Officer for Central Business Team Leads and is looking forward to developing in the role.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Resources Committee
A self-motivated individual with more than 30 years management experience in facilities and project management I bring to the table my experience and expertise in financial planning and control, health, safety and environmental risk management, problem solving and man management skills. I joined Westland Helicopters in 1972 as an apprentice in the Works Engineers Department becoming the Facilities Manager in 1987 a role I remained in until the closure of the site in 2002. Following the closure of the site I joined John Moores (Bristol) Ltd initially as the Operations Manager and became a director in 2011 following the purchase of the business by Systems Pipework (UK) Ltd a mechanical services business supplying, installing and repairing all types of pipework, steel fabrications, commercial boilers and associated equipment. My primary role was managing the Bristol operation working with clients from project conception to completion whilst ensuring the business operated in a compliant manner both legally and financially. I served on the Governing body at Priory from 2000 until 2019 and was Chair from 2016 to 2019 and also served on the Governing body at Worle for 3 years from 2016 to 2019. In 2016 I joined the Trust Board of 心灵社区. As a supporter of MAT鈥檚 I enjoy working with the highly motivated, professional and passionate people employed by the Trust and with my fellow Trustees to provide all our students the best possible educational experience and our staff with career development opportunities.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Chairman of Provisions and Outcomes Committee
- Education Consultancy Ltd ( Owner )
When I retired as the Headteacher of Priory Community School, I wanted to continue to make a difference to the lives of our children and families, through the provision of high quality education that engages, safeguards and challenges the members of our school communities. My role as the first Head of the Virtual School for Children in Care in North Somerset provided an insight into the challenges faced by these vulnerable children. It has been a privilege to work with a range of secondary schools in the region as a School Improvement Partner, seeing a lot of excellent practice, while helping schools to improve their provision. Working with the South West Grid for Learning, I continue to oversee a national award for online safety in schools, allowing me the pleasure of visiting schools across the UK to assess their provision. I became a Member of the Priory Learning Trust in 2017, becoming a Trustee in 2022. I believe strongly in the power of such organisations to make a difference and work collaboratively in the best interests of the children and families that we serve. Ron Richards, BEM
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Foundation Trustee
Sally has over thirty years鈥� experience in schools, twenty as Headteacher, Sally brings Primary expertise to the Board. Head of an Outstanding school for 16 years she worked as a Local Leader of Education supporting local schools and for Hampshire Local Authority as Interim Head in several schools in challenging circumstances. An accredited member of the Association of Education Advisors she has extensive experience of supporting and school leadership and leading school improvement. She currently works part time for the University of Winchester as a facilitator on the NPQ programmes helping to develop the next generation of school leaders. An experienced school Governor, she has sat on the board of a Hampshire secondary school helping to move it from RI to Good and currently sits on the Board of her local church school. As a headteacher she chaired the Local Children鈥檚 Partnership in Basingstoke for several years and is very familiar with cross agency working to champion and support vulnerable children and families. Sally is an advocate for the United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child and believe firmly in the Right to an education and for every child to have a high-quality learning experience and opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.
I have worked across 心灵社区 since July 2017 in both Priory Community School Academy and Worle Community School Academy. I am a former student at PCSA and studied a BTEC Extended Diploma in Business at Weston College before starting work with PCSA in the Student Services department in 2017. Whilst working in Student Services I returned to Weston College to study Level 3 CIPD. In May 2019 I joined the HR Central Team supporting academies across the Trust.
Sharon Goddard-Lock studied Mathematics and Statistics at Coventry University before entering the world of Health & Fitness Club Management.
After six years of working in the Fitness industry, Sharon took a year out to travel the world. On her return a career change was decided and she took a PGCE at the University of the West of England.
Sharon has taught Mathematics, Statistics and further Maths over the past twelve years in Weston schools, working for the majority of this time at Priory Community School. She has been a Head of Year and the 鈥楳ore Able Co-ordinator鈥� for Mathematics as well as a Subject Mentor for University students training to be teachers. She is now Director of Maths for The Priory Learning Trust.
Sharon is passionate about Mathematics and that every student is given every opportunity to reach their potential.
Simon Merrick × Simon studied for a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Commercial Music at Bath Spa University before beginning employment at PCSA in 2006. He since has over 12 years of experience in the IT industry, having led on many major projects implementing modern technologies. Simon was appointed as Head of IT for 心灵社区 in February 2019. Simon is a former student of Worle Community School.
Tim Hurr studied Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence at The University of Leeds, followed by a PGCE at the University of East Anglia. Tim taught for over 20 years, students ranging in age from 10 up to retirement, with Maths and IT/Computing his specialisms. More recently Tim moved into IT support and is solution focused to ensure IT supports students and teachers both in and outside the classroom.
Tom studied English Literature at The University of the West of England and then took a PGCE in English at Bristol University. He started his career in Bristol Schools and was second in English and then Faculty leader in English at Bristol Brunel Academy, the same school where he started his NQT year. As Faculty leader, Tom was also an SLE for the Cabot Learning Federation, and then worked in a number of leadership roles for the federation, helping to set up new schools and as a head of Post 16 for a number of years. Tom is passionate about the importance of English and literacy to all students and is now working as Director of English for 心灵社区.
I read law as an undergraduate at Reading University upon leaving school. On graduating, I studied at the Inns of Court School of Law in High Holborn attaining the Bar Vocational Qualification and thereby undertook pupillage in London having been called to the Bar in 1996. I have since practised both in private practice and then subsequently with the Royal Air Force commissioning, as a legal officer in 2000 until March 2016. I have practised in a great variety of legal disciplines from criminal and family law to international and operational law. During this time, I gained a Masters Degree in international laws at Bristol University, which I undertook in my spare time. Recent relevant experience has been in the area of health and safety law and administrative law in a governance and regulatory role at the Military Aviation Authority. This role also involved training wide internal and external audiences in the legal aspects of the above and delivering presentations. I am currently taking a sabbatical to support my family whilst considering a future career for which I hope the first stage of which will be to undertake a PhD programme with a view to refining my skills to become a university lecturer and consultant. My special interests include history (including military history; WWII), reading, public speaking, amateur dramatics, government and politics, sport and the law. Having enjoyed the challenges of all of the education I have received and experienced and having been supported by the state school system to achieve what I have been able to, I am passionate that all children should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, without limitation. As a parent governor, a trustee of 心灵社区, and a proud mother of three children, I hope to be able to contribute to this in whatever way I can.
Wendy Annakin × Wendy has worked in the Education sector for thirty years, initially with Avon County Council and then Bath & North East Somerset Council. She joined the finance team at Worle Community School eighteen years ago, becoming the Finance Manager working with a great finance team. Wendy joined the Central finance team in September 2020, helping to develop the finance function across the schools within the trust.