Our People Stories

I thought rather than sharing a case study about me, I'd share a bit more about our Trust and how we work together for the best of our children, families and communities we serve. 

The Trust was founded to bring together a family of Church of England schools within the Diocese of Southwark that wished to become academies. Since those early days, it has been inspiring to see how far we’ve come, driven by a shared purpose, rooted in Christian values, and shaped by a deep commitment to service.

We are a high-performing Trust with strong educational outcomes, placing us among the leading diocesan trusts nationally. We are financially stable, and I am proud to lead a team of talented and dedicated people across both our central office and our schools.

What makes our Trust truly special is not a structure or a strategy, but the exceptional people within it. I genuinely believe we have some of the most gifted professionals in the sector, individuals who bring wisdom and experience, but more importantly, compassion and a deep sense of vocation to their work every day.

We believe that every child can succeed academically, personally, and spiritually when supported by adults who know them, value them, and are committed to their development. Our schools are inclusive, nurturing environments where every child, whatever their background or need, is supported to flourish.

The education landscape is far from certain. Schools continue to face significant pressures, particularly following the pandemic. Many children now require greater support, and the needs of families and communities are becoming increasingly complex. Alongside this, we are working within a climate of shifting government policy, falling birth rates, and financial constraint. These are not easy times.

And yet, I remain hopeful, because every day I see the strength, compassion, and determination that exist in our schools and across our Trust.

While every Trust operates differently, I see our role as one that works relentlessly to create the right conditions in each of our schools so that our leaders and teachers can be their very best, focusing on what matters most: enabling every child to enjoy a positive school experience and the best possible start in life.

Although we are ultimately accountable for every school, we do not impose a one-size-fits-all model. Each school has its own identity, and we celebrate that. At the same time, we foster a collegiate culture where we work as one family, generously sharing knowledge, experience, and resources for the benefit of all.

Collaboration is central to our approach and my central team work hard to serve as an extension of a school’s own leadership team. We believe we are stronger together. We are passionate about distributing leadership and growing talent from within. By nurturing the skills and experience already present in our schools, we create opportunities for more people to lead, contribute, and shape the Trust we are building together.

Many of our Headteachers, Subject Leaders and Business Leaders have responsibilities for areas of Trust development, and it’s great to see how much they bring to those roles, which benefits all our schools.

We set high expectations for everyone in our school communities. Pupils, staff, and leaders alike are challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We walk alongside our schools, equipping leadership teams to respond confidently to local needs while holding fast to our shared vision.

As a Trust rooted in the Southwark Diocese, our work is guided by the values of our Christian faith. We work closely with churches, families, and the wider community to offer an education that nurtures academic excellence, personal growth, and spiritual development.

As we continue our journey, I want us to keep building on the strong foundations we have already laid. I am excited about what lies ahead and remain committed to fostering a culture where people are encouraged to try new things, grow in confidence, and lead with purpose.

In Ephesians, Paul encourages us to walk in unity, holiness, and love. These principles resonate deeply with me and will continue to guide our work as we serve one another, our schools, and our communities.