We are a family who aspire to ensure the education provided by our schools is forward-thinking and outward-looking, where aspirations are high and ambitions unlimited. We want to leave a legacy, ensuring our schools continue beyond our time to thrive, to continue to improve and to remain truly exceptional, fun places to learn and grow. Here you can meet our team of dedicated professionals working together to make a difference.
As former Headteacher at Woldgate School he led the school from Requiring Improvement to Good, transforming the quality of education, outcomes, raising the number on roll and addressing a historic deficit. It was identified by the Department for Education as one of the ‘top 100’ most improved schools in the country in 2016 and is now heavily oversubscribed. The improvement journey was published in a national journal and resulted in an invitation to parliament.
In his new role he will remain active in our schools’ development. His wealth of knowledge and experience in business prior to joining education will be highly valuable and key to success in the role of Chief Operating Officer. With expertise in data, systems and leading organisational change provides the Trust with the perfect mix for our future development.
Gareth was a Deputy Headteacher and stepped into the role of acting Head of School at Woldgate during the pandemic before being appointed as the Trust Head of Curriculum and Assessment.
At the Joseph Rowntree School, he built a team to share responsibility and ensure that improvement in teaching could contribute to a rapid cultural change. Under his leadership at Joseph Rowntree School the Ofsted report commented that the school was “focused relentlessly on improving the quality of teaching… As a result, pupils are making better progress across the curriculum and differences between groups of pupils are diminishing rapidly.” He also led CPD and ran shared training with local schools, feeder primaries, local TeachMeets, as well as delivering school-to-school support for Canon Lee.
Before that, Gareth was the Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning at Millthorpe School and was part of the team that moved the school to Good from Satisfactory in 2011. Gareth was the winner of the Community Pride Award for Teacher of the Year that year for his engaging teaching.
He has worked on a project for the Trust to review and re-write the long-term curriculum planning for every subject at Longcroft School and Woldgate School, helping build the Kingfisher data system, and has facilitated the construction of the Trust Primary curriculum.
On her return she entered industry as a graduate management trainee for a large corporation and worked as a department, and senior manager before becoming a trouble shooter for failing departments.
After seven years Kirsten decided to return to her love of teaching and enrolled to study for her PGCE in Business and Economics at the University of Hull. Her teaching career began at Driffield School, where she was a Business and Economics teacher, with responsibilities for whole-school Enterprise and the EPQ. During her time at Driffield, she completed her Certificate in Continued Professional Development before studying part time for her MEd in Leadership and Change at the University of Hull
Kirsten moved to Woldgate School and Sixth Form College in 2014 to take up the role of Head of Business and within just two years had moved the lowest performing department in the school to one of the highest. Business Studies GCSE grades rose by 30%, with the Business BTEC ALPS outcomes increasing by 5 levels and the 2015 Ofsted report commended the sixth form business students for their strong progress.
Kirsten has continued to take on additional responsibilities as Head of Psychology and as an Associated Assistant Headteacher, where she introduced Enterprise into the school via the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and whole school Enterprise events. Before joining the Institute of Education, Kirsten performed an associate role in the Wonder Teaching School and continues to lead on ITT, intern recruitment, CPD and marketing across the trust.
Before moving to the education sector, Adele was Group Estates Director for a large private healthcare company; prior to this she held the position of Group Health and Safety Manager for the same company.
During her career, Adele has project managed new build projects and carried out major and minor refurbishment projects within the healthcare sector. Previous management experience also includes managing Catering, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Security, and IT Departments. Alongside her role, Adele has also worked with specialist furniture companies in designing suitable furniture for use within healthcare.
Our headteachers are part of the Trust’s leadership team and work collegiately to improve our schools with the focus of making sure our children receive an excellent education.
Having enjoyed a number of roles and responsibilities, it has been my privilege to serve as a Headteacher in two schools over recent years with very different contexts.
My vision for education can be simply articulated as one that is ‘world class’. It is an education that never settles for average, that never makes excuses and that reflects an absolute ambition for each and every child.
In a culture founded on a commitment to excellence, where children are truly known, valued, enabled and empowered, we can reimagine what is possible as individuals and as a community.
I began my leadership journey as Head of English, before progressing to wider roles as Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning, and more recently as Vice Principal at St Mary’s College, Hull – an outstanding school with a strong record of excellence. One truth has remained constant: when we combine high expectations, expert teaching, and genuine care, all children can flourish. This belief drives my leadership and is the philosophy I am committed to bringing to this role.
With over 20 years in primary school settings, teaching from Foundation Stage through to Year 6, I have built a robust portfolio of teaching and leadership experience.
I possess the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively empower, support and nurture teachers and pupils in reaching their full potential.
I have been fortunate to work as an Advanced Skills Teacher and a Specialist Leader of Education for North Yorkshire.
I have worked across the Primary Sector, with a focus on School Improvement for many years. Currently, I thoroughly enjoy playing an active part in school life by getting into classrooms and teaching.
I hold a strong belief that children only get one chance at their education, and it is our duty to make it the best it can be.
The needs of the children are always paramount in the life and decision making within a school. I strongly believe in providing children with exciting, inspiring and meaningful learning experiences.
Philip specialises in advising owner-managed businesses, international clients as well as, and in particular, charity and voluntary organisations. He has significant experience within the education sector. Philip qualified as a solicitor in 1987 so now has over 30 years of legal experience. He joined Stamp Jackson and Procter from Harrowells in 2019.
Philip is known for his ability to advise on a range of complex issues. He advises his clients in all sectors, ranging from haulage to healthcare. Philip was Chairperson of Prohelp (the professional firms association which manages the provision of pro-bono professional advice and support to the voluntary sector) within HRH the Prince of Wales Responsible Business Network, Business in the Community. He is a Trustee of a well-known local charity and is a former Chair of school governors. He has, due to his contacts and experience, regularly been asked to speak and provide strategic support.
She joined York St John University in September 2014 as a visiting lecturer while continuing her work in the field of Early Childhood Education, Care, and Safeguarding.
Prior to joining York St John University on a more permanent basis in August 2016, Sue worked full-time in Integrated Services in North Yorkshire. She developed community-based services and project managed Children’s Centres including developing sustainable buildings and recruiting staff from a range of professional backgrounds. The role involved working at a strategic and operational level developing universal and targeted services with partner agencies to support vulnerable children and their families. She facilitated multi-agency teamwork with health, education, social care and private and the voluntary sector agencies and had responsibility for leading ‘Common Assessments’ for children and young people.
During her time as a Children’s centre services manager, she completed the NPQICL leadership qualification. And more recently she has taken on the responsibility of managing a small team of family workers working in the early intervention, prevention, and children in need domains.
Previously Mike has been the Head of Franchise and Leisure and a Regional Director for Lloyds TSB Asset Finance. He has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History and Politics. Mike is a highly visible and effective leader with a proven record of accomplishment in the Asset Finance arena and with extensive experience of different markets.
He demonstrated the ability to develop and execute both growth and manage for value strategies and thrive in more complex Joint Venture environments. Mike has been responsible for running successful P&L businesses within the Bank for the past 20 years.
Our Trustees and Governors are fundamental in supporting our Trust, helping to guide the leadership team and individual schools to academic excellence and successful management.
He is the Head of Governance and Compliance and Company Secretary at a Multi Academy Trust in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. He is also a Consultant with the Confederation of School Trusts and takes on reviews of other Trusts. He is also Chair of his local secondary school governing body. In addition to this he is a member of the East Riding School Improvement Partnership and Vice Chair of the East Riding’s Schools’ forum.
Adam brings to the Trust Board his legal skills and knowledge of Trust Governance frameworks and compliance in respect of operational delivery. He contributes to the strategic leadership of the Trust.
He continues to advise, negotiate fuel contracts and supply waste derived fuels throughout the UK and Europe. In tandem with this work John and partners have developed a £30 million combined heat and power plant burning waste wood biomass at Holbrook, near Sheffield.
This supplies heat to the local district heating schemes and electricity to the Grid. His family firm farms a small mixed unit in the Scottish Borders. A governor and Chair of governors of 15 years standing at primary, federation primaries and secondary school means John brings both passion for children’s education and extensive experience in governance of schools. He is particularly adept at working with schools, bringing to bear his extensive finance and development skills from in his working life. He also brings extensive leadership experience, particularly in working with teams to assess, review strategy, set targets and deliver improved performance.
He has also had broad experience in managing organisational change. His enthusiasm for helping to bring about better schools for better outcomes for pupils remains undiminished after many years of governing.
As a long-standing Pocklingtonian, he is committed to the continuing development of excellence in our community and schools.
He was born and bred in Pocklington and attended Pocklington Community Junior School in the early 60s, so has seen major changes to the school over time. Stephen has previously been a Governor at Pocklington and held specific Governor responsibility for finance, health and safety and the fabric of the school.
He moved out of the profession shortly afterwards and spent the rest of his career in industry and commerce. He has worked in a wide range of businesses from small start-ups to multi-national groups.
He has worked in both the building supplies industry and the motor dealership sector. Before his effective retirement in 2018 he spent the last twelve years working at a housing association in Grimsby. In 2020 he stepped in at short notice to deliver the statutory accounts for another housing association in Gainsborough, including a remote online external audit. He is a governor at one other educational institute giving his financial expertise as required.
His spare time is taken up by spending time with his partner and maintaining and enjoying his four classic cars ranging in age from 64 years to 101 years. He also enjoys music, reading and theatre, particularly the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon.
For over 10 years she has served as Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee which monitored all aspects of education, safeguarding and wellbeing.
Kerri has been a governor at Longcroft School and Sixth Form College since 2008.
Each one has been distinctive in how they have applied and interpreted their Christian values. Richard also brings extensive leadership and management experience across various different sectors including retail, telecommunications and faith-based organisations and charities.
This was quickly followed by deployment to Iraq again in 2003 during the second Gulf War. He returned to Afghanistan in 2010 and served in Helmand Province with the Airborne Brigade for several months. Patrick has also served on United Nations tours of duty supporting UK interests abroad in Western Sahara and he deployed to Sierra Leone in 2015 to support the UK government tackle the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone.
More recently Patrick worked at the University of Hull for 3 years and latterly DEFRA for 2 years as Chief of Staff in a Policy Directorate based in London. He has experience of managing projects, large teams, leadership, decision making and business planning. Patrick has many interests including walking, sport and learning. Patrick is keen to work with all groups supporting our younger generation to excel in life.
I’m a parent of three children (one currently at the school and two that will be pupils in the future) and have lived in Pocklington for just over six years since moving back to Yorkshire. The school plays a vital role in securing our children’s future success, and I’m committed to supporting Pocklington Junior School to continue to deliver in this regard.
I wanted to give something back to the school, supporting all the amazing work the staff do for our children and their commitment to high standards, through the many changes in education policies and practices.
As a result, I have been a school governor at Melbourne for well over thirty years, through some challenging times! I am a retired professional librarian and worked in York University Library in various roles. I am Chair of Seaton Ross Parish Council. I enjoy reading and walking and am interested in local history, currently helping to write a history of Woldgate School with other members of the Pocklington Local History Group.
I also lead the University of York’s Natural Sciences programmes, which train undergraduates in interdisciplinary science ranging from Nanoscience to Neuroscience. I am hoping that some of the experiences I have had in these roles will enable me to support the school as a governor.
Outside work, I am the social secretary of Stamford Bridge Cricket Club and serve on the Stamford Bridge Parochial Church Council. In addition to cricket (obviously!), I like rock climbing, but most of all enjoy walking with my family in the Lake District. My wife and I have lived in the village for over 10 years. My daughter is currently at the school.