Meet the Team
Susan Thornton Chair of Members
Sue became Chair of Members of the Raleigh Learning Trust at its inception having been the Chair of Governors of the founding schools.
Following a career in the NHS, she became involved in School Governance in 2003 when she joined the Governing Body of the then Ambleside Junior School. She became Chair of Governors in 2005, leading the amalgamation of the Junior and Infant schools to become the Ambleside Primary School.
She was asked to Chair an Independent Monitoring Board for Woodlands School and subsequently became substantive Chair of Woodlands. She went to on to chair the Westbury Woodlands Federation when that was formed.
Her connections with Denewood and Unity come through a period serving on the Management Committee.
In March 2012 Sue became one of the first School Governors to become a National Leader of Governance and, in that role, supported Chairs of Governors in a number of other schools.
Sue ‘retired’ from School Governance to pursue other volunteering opportunities in 2015 but, in 2017, she returned as Chair of Members of what was to become the Raleigh Education Trust.
Peter Brown Member
Peter retired as Headteacher of Top Valley Academy in 2015, having led the school through its transition from a Comprehensive School to a Specialist Engineering College and subsequently to Academy status in 2012. After fourteen years as a Head and thirty-six years in the teaching profession, he worked for two years as Trust Director for the Central College Academy Trust in Nottingham.
He has extensive experience of working with Governing Bodies and Trustees and is particularly drawn to the Raleigh Learning Trust’s firm commitment to securing positive outcomes and experiences for students whatever their backgrounds and life-circumstances.
He believes that the role of Trust Member provides an important overview of the work of the Trust in ensuring that the vision and values of the Trust are maintained to the highest possible standard, in the interests of the children and young people for whom it is responsible.
Eileen Hartley Chair of Trustees
Eileen Hatley was born and educated in London beginning her teaching career in Docklands. Most of her teaching was in secondary schools in deprived areas of Nottingham and Derbyshire. On retiring she became firstly a gardener then Chair of Bilborough Sixth Form College which she guided to join the Better Futures Multi Academy Trust which she currently chairs. She served on ALC as an advisor to the BLS department and is an active member of SFCA.
She became a Trustee because she is passionate about local children getting the best possible education despite living in deprived circumstances. Her teaching experiences created in her a drive to improve quality of education and life chances for children by society for reasons of behaviour or rejected particular educational needs. One of her drivers is the lack of opportunity for children who have been excluded from mainstream schools and whose life chances are thus diminished.
She is involved in all areas of the Trust, liaising both with teaching and non-teaching staff and working very closely with the Chief Executive in her capacity of Board Chairperson.
David Stewart OBE DL Member
David S Stewart OBE DL is a former head teacher in Nottingham City with over fifty years experience of working with children and young people with severe learning disabilities. He is a member of several local Trusts, charities and governing bodies and is Chair of The Nottingham Education Trust. He has a particularly interest in Arts education and PHSE . He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, an honorary Doctor of the University and holds the National One Dance Award for Most supportive leader for Dance.
David Burnett Member
David works as a programme manager and senior leader in the Department for Education (DfE). He has had a long relationship with the Trust, serving as a community governor, pupil progress lead, chair of governors, chair of directors and currently as a trust member.
Beginning in the private sector while studying, David worked for a number of years as a labourer and civil engineering management trainee for Airfield Pavements Ltd. He worked on and led construction teams in Royal Air Force bases across the UK laying a range of specialist runway surfaces and technologies. After graduating he joined Siemens’ energy division in the UK, working on and then leading a number of national infrastructure projects and multinational business development projects. With a strong desire to move into a job which made a real and positive difference for people, David moved into the public sector in 2009, joining the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). In his work at the NCTL and, now in the DFE, he has worked in a range of policy & delivery roles and has developed a network of strong school leader contacts and relationships across the country.
David’s programme and project leadership in DfE has included the globally leading Longitudinal Education Outcomes Programme; School Leadership policy and delivery (e.g., playing a central role within the redesign and development of the National Professional Qualification for School Leaders and the School Governance qualifications); STEM specialist teacher supply (support for the “Teacher Subject Specialism Programme”); Succession Planning for School leadership; The Leadership Models and Partnerships Programme (e.g. helping schools to understand and become Academies and Federations to meet school improvement goals); the 14-19 Agenda and the development of the School Business Management profession.
Eileen Hartley Chair of Trustees
Eileen Hatley was born and educated in London beginning her teaching career in Docklands. Most of her teaching was in secondary schools in deprived areas of Nottingham and Derbyshire. On retiring she became firstly a gardener then Chair of Bilborough Sixth Form College which she guided to join the Better Futures Multi Academy Trust which she currently chairs. She served on ALC as an advisor to the BLS department and is an active member of SFCA.
She became a Trustee because she is passionate about local children getting the best possible education despite living in deprived circumstances. Her teaching experiences created in her a drive to improve quality of education and life chances for children by society for reasons of behaviour or rejected particular educational needs. One of her drivers is the lack of opportunity for children who have been excluded from mainstream schools and whose life chances are thus diminished.
She is involved in all areas of the Trust, liaising both with teaching and non-teaching staff and working very closely with the Chief Executive in her capacity of Board Chairperson.
Tom Shaw Vice Chair of Trustees
Tom is currently a parent trustee at Raleigh Education Trust, giving him a further sense of responsibility to “do the right thing” for our academies.
Tom has a passion for the welfare and success of our pupils, regardless of their background or needs. Having joined as a governor before academisation, he has always provided the necessary challenge through scrutiny to assist the trust in ensuring a high quality of provision is sustained for the benefit of pupils and staff alike.
Graham Mansfied Trustee
Spent a career in education, teaching in the secondary sector.
He has a wide experience of school governance and was for many years chair of governors at a large secondary school.
His interest in education has led him in retirement to join the Board of Trustees, where he is link trustee to the SEN schools.
Gloria Spencer Trustee
Gloria retired as a manager of the Nottingham City’s Housing Benefit Fraud Section and Welfare Visitors. During her many years working for the Local Authority she became experienced in recruitment, staff appraisals, disciplinaries & dismissals, working with unions, redundancies, conciliation, finance & workload management. She had also been a union representative.
Currently she is also involved with her local branch of The University of the Third Age.
When her own children started school she became aware that some of their friends found, for whatever reason, accessing education challenging.
She had already seen the difference that a good education had made to her life. She felt, & still feels, that treating children according to their needs would give them better outcomes & life skills so she became a School Governor to support the schools in giving all children better life chances.
After nearly 35 years as a Governor she helped to work towards the inception of the Raleigh Education Trust & became a Trustee.
Gloria has seen the Trust grow and does what she can to support it. She has a keen interest in data that shows how the different schools are performing & enjoys seeing the children around school & at their lessons.
Always having been employed in a financial environment Gloria has been a member of the Finance Committee since becoming a Governor & as a Trustee is currently the Chair.
Brendan Coulson Trustee
Brendan works at Nottingham Trent University, his role as Education Lead is to develop Higher Technical courses at level 4 & 5. Brendan’s professional background includes teaching pre and post 16 pupils, predominantly within Further Education. During his time in FE, Brendan was nominated by his students for two national teaching awards and won the JISC award for the use of technology to support learning in 2011. Subsequently, Brendan held a wide variety of managerial roles including managing a large pre-16 provision, leading apprenticeships, and curriculum management.
Brendan has also held senior management positions at two FE colleges, culminating in being a Director for Learning, Marketing and Business Engagement. He has previously served as a staff governor for a large FE provider in Nottingham.
More recently, Brendan is studying on a part time basis to work towards a PhD in Education, in addition Brendan has secured publication of an Early Readers book he wrote to support children to manage anxiety.
Brendan’s personal drivers that led him to become a Trustee for Raleigh Education Trust is his passion for education, in particular the importance of providing outstanding education for all pupils. Moreover, to ensure that all pupils are given the chance to succeed, achieve their own aspirations and are active citizens within the communities that they live.
In addition to Brendan’s Trust board commitments, he is the linked trustee to Denewood and Unity Academy, supports the Alternative Provision Cluster chairperson and is a member of the Pupil Centered Committee.
Bernadette Youens Trustee
Bernadette Youens is a Professor of Education at the University of Nottingham. Throughout her career she has combined her twin interests of science and education with roles including research scientist, chemistry teacher, teacher trainer and Head of the School of Education. A driver for all of her work is making science and education accessible to all students. Bernie’s research interests include better understanding how beginning teachers learn with a particular focus on how we best prepare new teachers to work inclusively with all students in their classrooms.
Bernie has served as a governor in primary and secondary schools in Nottinghamshire for over 20 years.
Bernie has been involved with the Trust since 2017 and is committed to the values of the Trust and to ensuring that all of our young people across the Trust receive the best education possible. In addition to Bernie’s trust board commitments, she is the Curriculum Network Chairperson and member of the Trust Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Group.
Mark Clifford Trustee
Mark was raised in Broxtowe, a richly diverse community with many social and economic challenges. These early experiences developed a deep understanding of community deprivation, low aspiration and social responsibility – becoming core themes throughout his professional career.
Mark’s determination and desire to break through these barriers led to a highly successful career as a professional footballer for over a decade. As Mark hung his boots up for the final time, he quickly realised that his transferable skills and qualities, coupled with his early adolescence experiences, placed him in a unique position. One where he could take all that he had learnt to support young people at risk of not pursuing their dreams and ambitions. Mark wants to see all young people leave school with the aspiration to reach for the sky. This journey began with varied roles between early intervention mentoring in schools and development officer posts in football – both intending to bring young people closer to their goals.
Mark was recognised for his unique talents and personal drivers in 2009 when the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club launched its charitable community arm: Trent Bridge Community Trust. In the early days, Mark was tasked with considering how the Trust could reach out to vulnerable young people in the community through programmes and initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour. Today, Mark leads a highly dedicated team of fifteen professionals delivering mentor projects to city and county residents.
Mark attributes his successes to his determination and ‘can do’ attitude and the mentoring and guidance opportunities he has received along the way. Today, he is determined to ensure all young people have access to these types of support, work experience and engagement with local businesses, and in particular, those who need it most.
Emma Ogden Trustee
Emma is a specialist in workforce development, talent management, change management, succession planning, organisation design and development.
Emma brings expertise within Human Resource Management, Target Operating Model design, staff development and rewards to SUMS members and clients. Through her work, she delivers innovative solutions to workforce requirements and enables pragmatic, best practice solutions that are informed by appropriate insight, legislative and regulatory risk.
Emma joined SUMS in 2021 after a number of years supporting different institutions within the HE sector, but her career to date has also seen her work as a change expert for the British Red Cross. Emma brings experience of managing transformational change projects, organisation design and development initiatives and working with all academic and professional services functions to create integrated, co-designed cultures and practices.
Emma is passionate about workforce development, talent management and succession planning which considers all aspects of equality, diversity and inclusivity and strives to implement sector-leading solutions that respond to the global landscape, trends and patterns. She has been involved in successful Athena Swan submissions, academic development programmes and principle-led strategic approaches to structural design which have led to improved engagement and a stronger alignment to strategic priorities and values.
Emma holds chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and has a particular passion for American sports.
Helen Grace Trustee
Helen retired from teaching at Secondary School level after 33 years, having gained promotion as Head of Department, Head of Year and Assistant Head and SENDCO. Her experience is in management, pastoral support and in dealing with a variety of relationships within the educational context. The driving force throughout her career was to facilitate the holistic develo0pment of young people, as well as to educate and encourage them as fully as possible. The decision to take on the role of Trustee is an opportunity to continue to pursue this commitment in an over-arching and objective way, learning about the greater context in which educational establishments operate.
David Knight
Chair of Local Hub
Sophie Gregory
Community Governor
Billie Cortez
Parent Governor
Bridget Ihunde
Parent Governor
Grace Smith
Staff Governor
Diane Farmer
Staff Governor
Geetika Goyal
Chair of Local Hub
Jo Dickons
Parent Governor
Adrian Armstrong
Parent Governor
Megan Rainer
Staff Governor
Andrew Betts
Staff Governor
Paul Burchett
Chair of Local Hub
Daniel Bellion
Staff Governor
Holly Tea
Staff Governor
Sean Kelly Chief Executive
Sean is an unapologetic advocate of children, particularly those with complex needs.
He is a highly qualified and experienced leader in education and has demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning achieving a Master’s Degree in Social and Emotional Behaviour and, most recently, the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership. This commitment has supported a highly successful school leadership career beginning as a SENCO, moving through assistant and deputy roles before accepting his first secondary Headship. Sean progressed to MAT school-to-school support roles in several Trusts, including Trust lead for SEND, Director of Education and a secondment to the Centre for British Teachers supporting a school in challenging circumstances.
Sean has recently completed his Ofsted Inspector Assessment phase and is undertaking the induction phase before the Inspector sign-off. Sean believes this is an essential step for the whole organisation to ensure all settings are focused on what matters most and have access to the most current developments in school improvement, expectations and compliance.
Sean has successfully secured outstanding Ofsted judgements and led a school through more challenging outcomes. He considers that he has learnt a great deal about leadership and a polarised approach to school improvement through periods of challenge. He believes successes can lead to an incredible feeling of accomplishment, but they are no accident. They are the outcome of hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, a love of what one is doing.
During his time with the Trust, Sean has supported school leaders through four inspections, securing three good outcomes, moving one from a category straight to a good judgment.
Currently, Sean represents the Trust locally as a Board Member of the DfE Nottingham Priority Area Local Partnership Advisory Board, University of Nottingham – School and Colleges Advisory Board and Nottingham City Council (NCC) Education Improvement Board. He is also an active member of Nottingham Citizens, a regional Specialist MAT CEO network and the national SEND and AP CEO Network.
Previously, he has represented education locally as a member of the NCC Safeguarding Board, the Children and Young People Partnership Board (vice-chair), and the City Headteacher Board. In addition, Sean has supported Teach First and continues to support the University of Nottingham ITT programmes. National system engagements have included acting as a DfE-appointed reference point for military ethos programmes, advisory board member for the Rowntree Foundation and Prince’s Trust External Reference Committee. Sean also represented the sector at Buckingham Palace, following an invitation to join a national Educational Forum.
Sally Boaden Chief Operating Officer
Sally joined the Trust in 2021 following a hugely successful career as Chief Finance Officer of an Outstanding Single Academy Trust within the East Midlands and Humberside region. This experience, coupled with her current status as an accredited ESFA School Resource Management Associate (SRMA), has strengthened the Trust central executive team.
She brings expansive knowledge and experience to the Trust in all aspects of business support services, including governance, procurement, health & safety, human resources, finance and compliance from primary and secondary settings and academy trusts, bringing over two decades of School Business Leadership experience to the role.
Working tirelessly as a transparent and ethical leader, she has quickly established herself by developing purposeful relationships and processes across Raleigh Education Trust and strengthened external strategic partnerships.
Sally is a member of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) and the National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals and accredited as an ESFA School Resource Management Associate. She actively supports the Association of BAME Business Leaders in Education group, WomenEd and the National College of Education. Sally has achieved a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management and a Level 6 School Business Management qualification.
She has a passion for ensuring MATs are well run through the proper use of public money and compliance with the regulatory frameworks. She strongly advocates that robust regulatory compliance is the bedrock of school support to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children young people.
Phil Willott Director of Education
Phil is an advocate of trauma-informed practice, the development of the whole child and providing positive learning experiences that last a lifetime.
Phil joined the Raleigh Education Trust in 2021 and has over 18 years of experience within education. Before joining the trust, Phil was an Executive Principal of two academies, where both schools were acknowledged for their trauma-informed ethos, achieving the Trauma-Informed Schools Award. The school’s caring and kind approach was also recognised by the local and national press.
He has a proven record of school improvement, helping lead a mainstream school and a multiple site pupil referral unit out of special measures, as well as opening two alternative academy free schools.
Phil began his career as a teacher of ICT and Law, before becoming a pastoral middle leader, senior leader and qualified SENDCo, leading in both mainstream and alternative/special education. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a passion for inclusive education and supporting the most vulnerable children and families.
Phil was a member of the Youth Justice Management Board – Lincolnshire and has worked within the youth probation service.
A lifelong learner, Phil has recently achieved the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership and is about to embark on a level 5 qualification in coaching.
Phil has delivered modules of the NPQH programme and is currently a coach for NPQLBC cohorts. He was recently invited to present at two Westminster Insight conferences and to the Nottingham City’s Youth Justice Management Board about the importance of early intervention and safeguarding.
“Every child deserves a champion” – Rita Pierson
Claire Beardsall Executive Assistant & Governance Professional
Claire is a high calibre governance professional following five years as a volunteer EYFS setting LGB Chairperson, and subsequently, the Trust governance professional. In this role, Claire has been instrumental in the design and development of the Board committee structures and the introduction of local governance arrangements across the Trust (see Hub model), including creating all Terms and successful recruitment and induction activities.
When Claire isn’t managing all of our members, trustees and governors, she finds time to manage the chief executive as his Executive Assistant.
Following the successful completion of a LLB Hons Law with Psychology in 2011 through Nottingham Trent University, Claire has gone on to complete the Department for Education funded ICSA accredited Level 3 Certificate in the Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards in 2019, and her CIPD Level 3 Qualified 2022.
Claire has supported undergraduates more widely as an Ambassador Mentor and Victim Support Volunteer.
Claire is passionate about education and all things related to compliance as the Trust Data Protection Officer.
Andrew Pole Finance Director
Andrew is the Trust Finance Director and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role from a career spanning over 20 years working in Legal practices. He became a fully qualified Accounting Technician (AAT) and has since become part qualified Management Accountant (CIMA).
He is deeply committed to ensuring the Trust maintains regulatory compliance through solid sector knowledge and collaboration. Knowing that the education sector is forever changing, his proactive approach scans the horizon to ensure the Trust is well placed to respond to market developments promptly.
As a member of the Central Executive Team, Andrew works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and central team and the Chief Executive managing long-term strategy and risk.
Andrew is a firm believer in the term “the tone at the top” – striving to be the best professional example to his team and peers.
Sean Kelly Chief Executive
Sean is an unapologetic advocate of children, particularly those with complex needs.
He is a highly qualified and experienced leader in education and has demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning achieving a Master’s Degree in Social and Emotional Behaviour and, most recently, the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership. This commitment has supported a highly successful school leadership career beginning as a SENCO, moving through assistant and deputy roles before accepting his first secondary Headship. Sean progressed to MAT school-to-school support roles in several Trusts, including Trust lead for SEND, Director of Education and a secondment to the Centre for British Teachers supporting a school in challenging circumstances.
Sean has recently completed his Ofsted Inspector Assessment phase and is undertaking the induction phase before the Inspector sign-off. Sean believes this is an essential step for the whole organisation to ensure all settings are focused on what matters most and have access to the most current developments in school improvement, expectations and compliance.
Sean has successfully secured outstanding Ofsted judgements and led a school through more challenging outcomes. He considers that he has learnt a great deal about leadership and a polarised approach to school improvement through periods of challenge. He believes successes can lead to an incredible feeling of accomplishment, but they are no accident. They are the outcome of hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, a love of what one is doing.
During his time with the Trust, Sean has supported school leaders through four inspections, securing three good outcomes, moving one from a category straight to a good judgment.
Currently, Sean represents the Trust locally as a Board Member of the DfE Nottingham Priority Area Local Partnership Advisory Board, University of Nottingham – School and Colleges Advisory Board and Nottingham City Council (NCC) Education Improvement Board. He is also an active member of Nottingham Citizens, a regional Specialist MAT CEO network and the national SEND and AP CEO Network.
Previously, he has represented education locally as a member of the NCC Safeguarding Board, the Children and Young People Partnership Board (vice-chair), and the City Headteacher Board. In addition, Sean has supported Teach First and continues to support the University of Nottingham ITT programmes. National system engagements have included acting as a DfE-appointed reference point for military ethos programmes, advisory board member for the Rowntree Foundation and Prince’s Trust External Reference Committee. Sean also represented the sector at Buckingham Palace, following an invitation to join a national Educational Forum.
Phil Willott Director of Education
Phil is an advocate of trauma-informed practice, the development of the whole child and providing positive learning experiences that last a lifetime.
Phil joined the Raleigh Education Trust in 2021 and has over 18 years of experience within education. Before joining the trust, Phil was an Executive Principal of two academies, where both schools were acknowledged for their trauma-informed ethos, achieving the Trauma-Informed Schools Award. The school’s caring and kind approach was also recognised by the local and national press.
He has a proven record of school improvement, helping lead a mainstream school and a multiple site pupil referral unit out of special measures, as well as opening two alternative academy free schools.
Phil began his career as a teacher of ICT and Law, before becoming a pastoral middle leader, senior leader and qualified SENDCo, leading in both mainstream and alternative/special education. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a passion for inclusive education and supporting the most vulnerable children and families.
Phil was a member of the Youth Justice Management Board – Lincolnshire and has worked within the youth probation service.
A lifelong learner, Phil has recently achieved the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership and is about to embark on a level 5 qualification in coaching.
Phil has delivered modules of the NPQH programme and is currently a coach for NPQLBC cohorts. He was recently invited to present at two Westminster Insight conferences and to the Nottingham City’s Youth Justice Management Board about the importance of early intervention and safeguarding.
“Every child deserves a champion” – Rita Pierson
Sally Boaden Chief Operating Officer
Sally joined the Trust in 2021 following a hugely successful career as Chief Finance Officer of an Outstanding Single Academy Trust within the East Midlands and Humberside region. This experience, coupled with her current status as an accredited ESFA School Resource Management Associate (SRMA), has strengthened the Trust central executive team.
She brings expansive knowledge and experience to the Trust in all aspects of business support services, including governance, procurement, health & safety, human resources, finance and compliance from primary and secondary settings and academy trusts, bringing over two decades of School Business Leadership experience to the role.
Working tirelessly as a transparent and ethical leader, she has quickly established herself by developing purposeful relationships and processes across Raleigh Education Trust and strengthened external strategic partnerships.
Sally is a member of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) and the National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals and accredited as an ESFA School Resource Management Associate. She actively supports the Association of BAME Business Leaders in Education group, WomenEd and the National College of Education. Sally has achieved a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management and a Level 6 School Business Management qualification.
She has a passion for ensuring MATs are well run through the proper use of public money and compliance with the regulatory frameworks. She strongly advocates that robust regulatory compliance is the bedrock of school support to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children young people.
Elizabeth Browne Executive Principal for Alternative Education
Elizabeth joined the Trust in September 2022 having worked in schools/academies for 26 years in a range of roles including senior leadership, headship and at Trust level. She began her career as a Mathematics teacher before becoming a pastoral middle leader, senior leader and qualified SENDO. Elizabeth was a principal in a large mainstream secondary academy prior to working for Raleigh Trust.
She is a specialist in SEND, mental health, behaviour and safeguarding and has provided expertise nationally as part of a multi academy trust. This role included wider school improvement including curriculum development and governance responsibilities in over 30 academies nationally, in challenging communities and across both phases.
Elizabeth has worked with the DFE and National Schools Commissioner to inform statutory policies. She also completed external reviews in safeguarding, SEND and Mathematics as a school improvement partner on behalf of the DFE.
Elizabeth is committed to improve the wellbeing of young people and adults by delivering quality training to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace. She is an experienced Mental Health Instructor, delivering training for MHFA for adult and youth (MHFA England) for the past 7 years.
Elizabeth continues to be passionate in her role as a leader to make a difference to all children and young people.
Phil Willott Director of Education
Phil is an advocate of trauma-informed practice, the development of the whole child and providing positive learning experiences that last a lifetime.
Phil joined the Raleigh Education Trust in 2021 and has over 18 years of experience within education. Before joining the trust, Phil was an Executive Principal of two academies, where both schools were acknowledged for their trauma-informed ethos, achieving the Trauma-Informed Schools Award. The school’s caring and kind approach was also recognised by the local and national press.
He has a proven record of school improvement, helping lead a mainstream school and a multiple site pupil referral unit out of special measures, as well as opening two alternative academy free schools.
Phil began his career as a teacher of ICT and Law, before becoming a pastoral middle leader, senior leader and qualified SENDCo, leading in both mainstream and alternative/special education. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a passion for inclusive education and supporting the most vulnerable children and families.
Phil was a member of the Youth Justice Management Board – Lincolnshire and has worked within the youth probation service.
A lifelong learner, Phil has recently achieved the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership and is about to embark on a level 5 qualification in coaching.
Phil has delivered modules of the NPQH programme and is currently a coach for NPQLBC cohorts. He was recently invited to present at two Westminster Insight conferences and to the Nottingham City’s Youth Justice Management Board about the importance of early intervention and safeguarding.
“Every child deserves a champion” – Rita Pierson
Amy Johnson Primary Curriculum Lead
Amy Fielder EYFS/Literacy Lead
Beth Greville-Giddings Learning & Development (ELE)
Bev Murray Trust Safeguarding Lead
Sarah Astle Attendance and Welfare Lead
Martin Sinclair Behaviour Therapist
Anna Bond Allotment Education – Routed in Kindness, Cultivating Strength
Sally Boaden Chief Operating Officer
Sally joined the Trust in 2021 following a hugely successful career as Chief Finance Officer of an Outstanding Single Academy Trust within the East Midlands and Humberside region. This experience, coupled with her current status as an accredited ESFA School Resource Management Associate (SRMA), has strengthened the Trust central executive team.
She brings expansive knowledge and experience to the Trust in all aspects of business support services, including governance, procurement, health & safety, human resources, finance and compliance from primary and secondary settings and academy trusts, bringing over two decades of School Business Leadership experience to the role.
Working tirelessly as a transparent and ethical leader, she has quickly established herself by developing purposeful relationships and processes across Raleigh Education Trust and strengthened external strategic partnerships.
Sally is a member of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) and the National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals and accredited as an ESFA School Resource Management Associate. She actively supports the Association of BAME Business Leaders in Education group, WomenEd and the National College of Education. Sally has achieved a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management and a Level 6 School Business Management qualification.
She has a passion for ensuring MATs are well run through the proper use of public money and compliance with the regulatory frameworks. She strongly advocates that robust regulatory compliance is the bedrock of school support to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children young people.
Claire Beardsall Executive Assistant & Governance Professional
Claire is a high calibre governance professional following five years as a volunteer EYFS setting LGB Chairperson, and subsequently, the Trust governance professional. In this role, Claire has been instrumental in the design and development of the Board committee structures and the introduction of local governance arrangements across the Trust (see Hub model), including creating all Terms and successful recruitment and induction activities.
When Claire isn’t managing all of our members, trustees and governors, she finds time to manage the chief executive as his Executive Assistant.
Following the successful completion of a LLB Hons Law with Psychology in 2011 through Nottingham Trent University, Claire has gone on to complete the Department for Education funded ICSA accredited Level 3 Certificate in the Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards in 2019, and her CIPD Level 3 Qualified 2022.
Claire has supported undergraduates more widely as an Ambassador Mentor and Victim Support Volunteer.
Claire is passionate about education and all things related to compliance as the Trust Data Protection Officer.
Andrew Pole Finance Director
Andrew is the Trust Finance Director and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role from a career spanning over 20 years working in Legal practices. He became a fully qualified Accounting Technician (AAT) and has since become part qualified Management Accountant (CIMA).
He is deeply committed to ensuring the Trust maintains regulatory compliance through solid sector knowledge and collaboration. Knowing that the education sector is forever changing, his proactive approach scans the horizon to ensure the Trust is well placed to respond to market developments promptly.
As a member of the Central Executive Team, Andrew works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and central team and the Chief Executive managing long-term strategy and risk.
Andrew is a firm believer in the term “the tone at the top” – striving to be the best professional example to his team and peers.
Kayley Spencer Finance Officer
Cecilia Gregory HR Officer
Sarah Astle Attendance and Welfare Lead
Tim Astle Deputy Attendance & Welfare Lead
Dawn Mansbridge Attendance & Welfare Officer
Selina Martinsons Attendance Administrator
Nicola Cheetham Attendance Administrator
Sue Matthews Attendance & Welfare Officer