Damian Booth
Deputy Director of Education
Damian began as Deputy Director for Education in February 2023. He took up his first headship of a CofE VA primary school in 2003 and since then has held the position of headteacher and/or Executive headteacher for six schools, at both primary and secondary level, within Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Wiltshire.
Damian has worked as an Ofsted inspector, a local authority school improvement adviser and has supported the work of Oxford Diocesan Board of Education by chairing interim executive boards.
Damian recently completed an MEd which explored the links between psychological safety, leadership style and school culture. He is committed to working with schools, to help ensure the professional development of their existing staff, so they can continue to build excellent future leaders.
Louise Darby
School Improvement Partner
Louise took up the post of Key Stage 2 School Improvement Partner in September 2019. Prior to this she was a senior teacher at St Michael’s Primary School, Bartley Green, where she taught for 15 years.
Over the course of her career she has taught children of all ages and abilities although her main experience lies within Key Stage 2 with a particular focus on Year 6. She believes that the children should be at the heart of everything schools do and that learning should be proactive and centred around the child’s needs. Louise endeavours to celebrate children’s academic achievements as well as developing their moral and spiritual awareness.
Louise has been curriculum lead for various subjects during her teaching career however her passion and main expertise is within mathematics. She has led and managed maths for most of her career in two different schools and more recently also took on the role of pupil premium champion.
Tammy Smith
School Improvement Partner
Tammy took up post as EYFS and KS1 School Improvement Partner in September 2019. Prior to this, for the past 15 years Tammy has worked in Early Years and Key Stage One in Sandwell and Birmingham schools. She was the Early Years Leader for the schools in the Barchelai Trust and more recently became a Lead Practitioner for EYFS where her passion for EYFS is evident.
Tammy believes that quality early education is vital as it is forms the foundations for all future learning. As EYFS and KS1 Teaching and Learning Consultant, she encourages an atmosphere of curiosity and engagement in learning where children are encouraged to take ownership of their thoughts and ideas; where their voices are listened to and respected but also challenged. Tammy believes children early in EYFS should be recognised as competent learners who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured whilst also being aware that they develop in individual ways and varying rates . Supporting staff across the BDMAT promote these skills in our youngest pupils is her aim as she takes up post with the Central Team.