CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS' TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Andy studied PE at Loughborough and taught for two years in Derby before moving to Hertfordshire to volunteer with a charity called Christians in Football. It was here that he met staff from The King's School, Harpenden and he worked for three years as a part-time teacher of PE and Maths. In 2003 Andy became Head of Secondary and in this role he has greatly appreciated the privilege of having input into young people's lives, encouraging them in their walk with God and guiding them as they grow in character, whether on the football field or the classroom! Andy became Headteacher at King's in September 2020. Andy enjoys playing guitar, walking, cycling and any sport going! He is married to Caroline, and they have three lovely boys.
Job Titles:
- Trustee & National Development Team
Barbara Lord taught for four years in the state sector before being part of the initial team opening Christian Fellowship School in 1980. Barbara has remained at the school both teaching and in a leadership role, latterly as Head of Middle School and deputy to Phil Williamson. Barbara took up the full Headship just prior to Phil going to be with the Lord in 2009. Barbara has a particular interest in Curriculum Development and Educational Psychology. As part of the CST team, she facilitated the 5 national working groups, represented CST as a member of the EA Coalition for Educational Issues and was part of the steering group for the Northern INSET initiative. Other interests include Welsh hill walking accompanied by her dog, sometimes llamas and of course human friends.
Dr Roger Slack has lectured in mathematics at university for over 30 years. He has since 1981 been the proprietor of Covenant Christian School, a learning community in Stockport. Roger is the Chair of CST Trustees.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Garrie-John (GJ) studied Drama at Bretton Hall College in the 1980s before co-founding a Theatre-in-Education company touring schools across the Yorkshire region. After working as a Teaching Assistant, he trained as an Early Years teacher at North Riding College, Scarborough. GJ then taught reception and KS1 pupils in Barnsley primary schools for a number of years before becoming Headteacher of Hope House School in 1998, where he also taught GCSE drama and geography. Moving on from headship in 2016, he worked as a supply teacher whilst completing an MA in Leadership in Education at the University of Huddersfield where he is currently researching Fundamental British Values in Christian schools for his PhD. A former team inspector for the Bridge Schools Inspectorate, GJ also leads section 48 inspections in state free schools designated as having a religious character. He still finds time to write worship songs, pamper his beloved cats and walk the dog. He's happily married with two great kids.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Hayley has a BA (Hons) degree in Sport Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Physical Education. She's worked as a Physical Education teacher in primary and secondary schools, and in management at David Lloyd Health Clubs promoting healthy lifestyles. Upon discovering classical Christian education, she wished she'd received it as a child; she says, "It captivated my attention as I believe it speaks into what truly makes us human." This led her to co-found The King Alfred School to give her own children and others the best education in the world. She loves property renovation, gardening, fitness, tennis, and reading (especially Christian apologetics). She's mother to two young children
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Jane has taught since 1990, in a range of state primary schools and also in teacher education at York St.John University. She met Mark studying for a Master's degree in 1995, and they discovered that they shared a faith in the same God and a love for education. In 2006 they moved to Cambodia to work in a school for missionary kids, where they stayed for ten years to educate children from thirty-one nationalities. Jane was principal of the primary school and in charge of special needs for 3 - 18-year-olds, Mark developed a thriving high school growing from 15 to 200 students.
Jane is passionate about holistic education, with God in the centre. School is about so much more than academics, and whilst these are important, education should be in partnership with parents to develop children socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Bradford Christian School, where jane is now Head, is a place where this happens. It is a privilege to be able to pray for and with children, to teach them that they are precious and valued by God. Jane loves Jesus, loves children and loves teaching, and enjoys working with a group of people who do the same. Last year she completed the National Award for SENCos, a post-graduate certificate in Special Educational Needs, which she is using in her job at BCS.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
A few years ago, Jonathan was a part of the CST Core Team now known as the national Development Team (NDT). After a period of time away, focusing on his school and family, we are delighted to welcome him back onto the team. Jonathan has been Head of Emmanuel, Walsall since it opened in 1996. He has four children, three of whom are now in their 20s and slowly dispersing around the country. The youngest is still at Emmanuel. Outside of school, he loves any kind of sport, especially following Liverpool and encouraging the development of his boys running at Birchfield Harriers where he also takes part with the road runners. He is at his happiest on holiday in the British countryside with all his family back together.
Ken trained to teach in Liverpool, completing his studies in Chemistry and Design and Technology in 1973. He taught for 14 years in two Sheffield comprehensive schools, the last four years as a Head of Department. He was involved with four other families in establishing Bethany Christian School in 1987. Ken retired as Headteacher in 2014 and then served as a Team Inspector for Bridge Schools Inspectorate. He is a Trustee of an NGO working in Nigeria involved in delivering water, health and sanitation projects. Ken enjoys gardening, listening to music, reading and fishing and he especially likes a construction project. Ken became a Christian as a teenager and every day he remains thankful to God for His grace and faithfulness. Christian education continues to be a generous blessing for his family. Ken became a CST Trustee in 2016.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Miriam Wiltshire has been Headteacher of Emmaus School since it opened in 1997. Prior to that she taught in state schools for 5 years before taking a break to start a family. Emmaus School has been an ideal way to combine working with family, since her husband, Kevin, is Chair to the Governors and she has taught all 3 of her children! Miriam enjoys reading, walking, swimming, cooking and all manner of crafts. She is excited to be part of the leadership team at CST having valued CST's support and encouragement in running a growing school.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Phill, together with his wife Audrey, founded Bradford Christian School. The school has grown greatly from its portacabin beginnings and now is building new classrooms on its permanent site. The school has developed many original initiatives, including a strong link with a nursery in Romania. Phill has a particular interest in developing and training teachers within the process of Christian Education. He and Audrey have three sons.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Rachel is currently the Head Teacher at Christian Fellowship School, Liverpool. Before that, she had been Head of Upper School, where she developed the school's distinctive Equipped To Serve programme. She continues to teach Business Studies, Computing and some Design & Technology.
Before joining the school nearly 25 years ago, Rachel had worked in FE colleges for ten years, teaching Business and Finance. Prior to that, she had worked in the Education Department of the UK committee for UNICEF and then at the City University Business School where she had been involved in setting up an innovative MBA programme and undertaking research into the relationship between worldview and economic development.
Having been ‘brought up' spiritually in the L'Abri community, it has been second nature to Rachel to apply a holistic biblical worldview, rooted in Reformed theology, to the whole of life. In her current role, she has worked with colleagues to further develop a Christ-centred curriculum, telling ‘God's big story' to the next generation through a sequenced curriculum that embraces every subject area - even Maths!
During the 2000s, she undertook some freelance consultancy work with the exclusive Brethren schools, helping them develop some ‘learning to learn' materials for their pupils. Developing teachers' pedagogical skills and writing curriculum materials remains her favourite part of being a head.
Job Titles:
- National Development Team
Simon caught the vision for Christian education from his mother, Hilary Reeves, one of the former leaders of the Christian Schools' Trust. Having attended Immanuel School up to the end of his GCSEs, Simon came back to the school as a teacher and has since taught at Immanuel School for nearly twenty years. Simon became the Principal of the school in September 2015 until early 2020 and is now teaching at St Edward's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School. He is married to Mandy; they have three children, Jessica, Luke and Zoe.
Steve Beegoo is the CEO of the Christian Schools' Trust having stepped down from being the Principal of The King's School in Witney. He is also Head of Education at Christian Concern, where he advises, teaches, supports, writes, campaigns and networks, home and abroad so that Christian Education and Christians in Education are able to influence for the kingdom. He has been a primary school teacher for 18 years and was pastor of Bicester Community Church in Oxfordshire for 9 years. He is married to Tammi and has three daughters. Steve has experience in Christian schools and state schools, works on the Oxfordshire SACRE and also enjoys a competitive game of badminton in his spare time!
Therese is married to Steve and has two daughters who both attended The River School and are now married. She is also a grandmother to six beautiful boys. Apart from being the CST administrator, she was also a qualified nurse, and trained as a Teaching Assistant, working at The River School with years 5 & 6. Since moving to Whitby where the CST office is now based, Therese is a leader at the Hope Whitby community church and is involved in youth work. Hobbies include walking along the coast, loves the colour purple, wolves, music, reading, travel and adventure.