Meet the team

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

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.

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.

Lee is a qualified Geography teacher who believes passionately about the world we live in today and the one we will leave behind for our children. With a degree in BSC Geography, Lee spent his early professional years teaching Geography and social sciences in secondary settings. He successfully progressed into leadership as an Assistant Headteacher focusing on low-attaining pupils (National Strategies Low Attainer Pilot and National Challenge Programme). Through the success of the programme delivery, Lee moved into his first Deputy Headteacher role with a broad remit in pastoral care and developed leadership experience in several MATs.

Lee joined the Trust as an associate Academy Principal in 2020 and completed his NPQH; he became the substantive Principal in 2021 and successfully secured a Good outcome that year. This inspection outcome followed a previous ungraded inspection that indicated a decline in standards. In addition to his headship, Lee has steered character education and PSHE across the Trust and believes success results from focus, hard work and purposeful collaboration.

Lee believes in the power of an outwardly facing school and actively engages in a range of Headteacher networks and opted to join the DfE Behaviour Hub programme. Not because he felt there was a problem but because he is determined to secure an outstanding experience for the children he serves. He is clear this ambition is more straightforward with the right mindset and attitude to working within the system and collaborating with others. Under his leadership, the SEMH setting has been transformed and is now considered by children’s service partners as a high-quality setting for complex children and young people.