School Improvement
School Improvement is at the heart of our Trust as we continually strive to deliver the best education and outcomes to all the children in our care.
The responsibility of all but ultimately our Trust Leadership Team, Quality of Education Board and Executive Team, School Improvement is always top of the agenda and very much a marker of our success.
Our approach to school improvement is underpinned by our commitment to nurture ambition, deliver excellence and enrich children’s lives.
We respect the unique nature of each school in our Trust and its place within its own community. Our leaders know their schools well and are best placed to develop and deliver their precise vision for excellence. People within our Trust work with integrity in an open and honest way. This means that we do not adopt ‘quick fix’ solutions to school improvement that would have a negative impact in the longer term. Our Headteachers ensure excellence for all through the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all learners. Each school may take a slightly different approach based on their context and leaders are able to explain the rationale for their decisions. Our Trust provides expert support for leaders that allows them to focus on teaching and learning, progress, and the welfare of the children in their care. Our team includes Human Resources, Estate Management, Finance, Technology, Specialist Services and support for Governance.
All schools in our Trust are members of the Red Kite Alliance and benefit from the wide range of opportunities this provides.
Close relationships exist between our Trust and Red Kite Education, which includes the Red Kite Teaching School Hub, Red Kite Teacher Training and Red Kite Alliance, the Computing Hub and the Maths Hub.
Being a member of the Trust ensures that a school is ‘plugged into’ a rich network of support through these institutions. We support and nurture our Headteachers across the Trust through regular access to continuing professional development opportunities that have impact. We enable enquiry visits to schools in contrasting contexts that are delivering excellent outcomes for young people.
Our Primary and Secondary Directors of Education monitor performance, identify effective practice and broker support from within and beyond our Trust.
Their experience as school leaders, Local Authority advisers and curriculum specialists gives them the expertise to ensure every school designs and delivers a curriculum that meets the needs and aspirations of all our children and young people.
Our Trust also has a primary and secondary ‘Executive Leader’ who are practising Headteachers with significant release time that allows them to support other leaders across our Trust and beyond.
School and Trust directors of education are expected to carry out a range of evidence gathering and monitoring activity which enable support to be targeted and based on need. This range of support available within our Trust and from our partners means that we are able to intervene swiftly should a school become vulnerable. By working together, marshalling our resources we can enable leaders to stabilise their schools and carry on their journey of improvement.
Director of Primary Education
Amanda Thornton-Jones
Amanda has over 30 years of primary education experience and a proven track record of school improvement, working as a Headteacher and employed as a School Improvement Consultant for Leeds and Stockport advisory services. Amanda has also achieved the National Qualification for Executive Leadership. Amanda’s current role also supports the Red Kite Alliance primary schools, delivering and brokering training and development opportunities for these schools and their staff.
"I’m proud to work with such a strong collaborative team of school leaders who believe passionately in making a real difference to the quality of teaching and education in our Trust."
Executive Headteacher for Primary
Helen Stout
Helen is a long standing Headteacher with experience over three very different schools; she has the National Professional Qualifications for Headship and Executive Leadership. Helen has particular expertise in SEND, Disadvantaged Pupils and Early Years.
"Working collaboratively in our Trust provides a rich variety of ways to impact positively upon the lives and outcomes of our children - there is a wealth of experience and support to hand."
Director of Secondary Education
Erica Hiorns
Erica worked as a Secondary School Teacher for 25 years and as a member of a Leeds School Improvement Team for 10 years. Erica has an in-depth knowledge of the Ofsted inspection framework and what makes a school successful.
"It is a privilege to be able to visit the diverse and interesting schools in our Trust and a joy to see children learning every day and witness the commitment and innovation of our colleagues."
Executive Headteacher for Secondary
Matthew West
Principal at Temple Moor High School, Matthew has considerable senior leadership and management experience, with responsibilities for curriculum design, setting standards in teaching, learning and assessment, quality assurances and leadership development. He holds a Masters Degree in Leadership and Management in Education and has achieved both the National Professional Qualifications for Headship and Executive Leadership.
