MAT Educational Leads

Executive Headteacher

I have been involved in school leadership for the last 15 years including being headteacher or Executive Head at five schools of varying context in four local authorities, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Solihull and Birmingham. I joined BDMAT in 2018 as Headteacher at Coleshill C of E Primary and enjoyed seven years leading the school as the trust grew from seven schools to its current nineteen. I am currently working as Executive Head at two of our inner city schools, supporting their improvement process under two newly established leadership teams.

BDMAT’s CEO is commited to developing a trust system where headteacher voice is paramount in designing systems that have children at the centre. As a MAT Education Lead, my principle role is to monitor and review the quality of central service provision given to Headteachers and to represent Headteacher views to the Trust board. My role enables me to work directly with the Central Team and support progress towards that goal of a service provision with pupils firmly at the centre. In addition, this academic year, I have been able to offer support to newly appointed Headteachers throughout their induction to ensure a smooth and effective entry into Headship.  

SEND & Inclusion

I have worked in education for 16 years and have been Headteacher at Woodside Primary for the past 4 years, within Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust (BDMAT). When I took on the role, Woodside was judged as Requires Improvement, and we embarked on a transformational journey of rapid and sustained school improvement. Through a clear strategic vision, distributed leadership, and a relentless focus on inclusion and excellence, we made significant progress across all areas of the school. This was recognised in our May 2024 Ofsted inspection, where Woodside was graded Good overall, with Outstanding judgements in Early Years, Leadership and Management, and Behaviour and Attitudes. I have built strong leadership capacity across the school, empowering middle leaders, restructuring roles, and implementing a phased leadership model to ensure oversight and continuity. My leadership is rooted in collaboration, accountability, and a deep commitment to pupil outcomes and well-being.

As MEL for SEND and Inclusion across BDMAT, I work with all 19 schools to strengthen inclusive practice and SEND provision. Over the past nine months, I have led trust-wide SEND network meetings, supported SENCOs through structured guidance, and helped shape a cohesive inclusion model across the trust. My passion lies in SEND and in ensuring that every child within the trust feels a deep sense of belonging, regardless of their starting point. With this passion comes a sheer determination to drive equity, raise aspirations, and ensure that provision is both responsive and impactful. My work is underpinned by BDMAT’s SEND Strategy and our Five Principles of Belonging—collaboration, empowerment, dignity, difference, and celebration—which guide our collective commitment to inclusive excellence. I am currently refining the Core Offer to ensure every pupil with SEND receives consistent, high-quality provision. This includes developing SEND Champion and SENCO Assistant roles to build capacity, fostering deeper collaboration with external agencies, and delivering targeted CPD to upskill staff. Through this strategic and inclusive approach, I aim to support Heads and school leaders in embedding sustainable, responsive, and impactful SEND practices across BDMAT.

Educational Lead for School Improvement

With twenty-three years in education, I have had the privilege of working across a wide range of leadership roles—from classroom teacher to Executive Headteacher. My journey has taken me through schools in challenging circumstances, where I have led rapid and sustained improvement, including leading a school out of Special Measures in my role as Headteacher. I have supported schools across the Trust to raise standards, strengthen leadership, and build inclusive, values-driven cultures. I have also worked closely with schools during periods of vulnerability and transition, helping to stabilise leadership, rebuild trust, and re-establish strong foundations for improvement. My leadership has always been rooted in strategic thinking, collaboration, and a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives.

As a MAT Education Lead (MEL) for School Improvement, I work alongside the Central Team and fellow MELs to support school improvement across the Trust. My role includes leading on the identification and support of Priority Schools, overseeing the Peer Review programme, and contributing to leadership development through coaching and talent growth. The Trust places a strong emphasis on developing leaders at all levels, and as part of this commitment, I am currently completing my ILM Level 7 coaching qualification to further enhance my ability to support and grow leadership capacity across our schools. I offer bespoke support to Headteachers, drawing on my experience of school turnaround, data-informed decision-making, and mentoring. I am passionate about building a culture of shared learning, strategic alignment, and high expectations—ensuring every school, and every child, can thrive.