Thomas started his primary career in Norfolk where he led multiple subjects and became part of the Senior Leadership Team within a Junior School. Thomas then completed his SENCO qualification and set up a Specialist Resource Base for children with Learning Difficulties in Norfolk before applying for his first Deputy Headship post in West Norfolk. Thomas joined the ALT in 2017 at Kingsfield as Deputy Head. Thomas was seconded to Earith Primary School in 2018 as Head of School where he remains, now Head Teacher, passionate about improving life chances for young people. Rae Aldous is Executive Headteacher of Westwood Primary School, Grove Primary School, The Albert Pye Primary School and Ravensmere Infant School. Previously, Rae was Headteacher of Westwood Primary School from September 2012. In February 2018, Rae became Executive Headteacher, and began leading leaders at both Westwood Primary and Grove Primary.
Working in partnership with The Active Learning Trust, through careful recruitment of outstanding staff and targeted school improvement she has successfully lead both the schools out of Ofsted category 4 ratings. Both schools have been transformed resulting in learning communities which are both happy and harmonious and where strong leadership and a shared ethos, from all stakeholders, ensures positive outcomes for all children and their families.
From September 2023, Rae has taken on the Executive Leadership of The Albert Pye Primary School and Ravensmere Infant school which are federated. Rae is one of the Trust most experience leaders who is particularly skilled in creating strong school cultures, rapid and sustainable school improvement, developing school leaders, curriculum design and teaching and learning pedagogy.
In addition, since February 2023, Rae is supporting our wider network of schools as an Academy Improvement Lead.
head@westwoodprimary.org
@WestwoodPSchool
westwoodprimary.org
Simon’s first role in working with young people with additional needs was as a support worker at a Scope school In Hertfordshire. From this role, Simon knew that his career lay in working with young people with SEND, giving them the best possible outcomes. Simon began his teaching career in 1997 in a National Autistic Society School. In 2006 he gained a deputy headship at a new build area special school in Cambs. In 2011 he moved as Headteacher to Highfield Ely before it joined the Active Learning Trust in 2016, and was given the opportunity to play a lead part in the development of another new build area special school, Highfield Littleport. In 2018 we opened LINC 19-25, the first provision of its type in the Eastern region. Simon now enjoys providing support for schools in developing their provision for learners with SEND, and remains committed to providing the learners in the Trust with SEND with the best possible outcomes. Lauraine joined the team at Westwood in April 2015 as a class teacher, having previously taught at two local primary schools. Since then, she has worked in a range of leadership roles and became Head of School in April 2021.
Lauraine is passionate about creating an inclusive environment in which all children, regardless of their background, have access to an engaging and inspiring curriculum along with opportunities to develop their individual interests. She is also committed to supporting colleagues in their professional development through her work as an Associate Leader for the Active Learning Trust and as a Visiting Fellow for Ambition Institute. Louise joined the Active Learning Trust, working at Westwood Primary, in 2013 as an NQT. She played a pivotal part in moving Westwood from a school in special measures to securely 'Good' in all areas.
Since then, she has worked in a range of leadership roles and became Assistant Headteacher at Grove Primary School in 2019 and then Head of School at Grove Primary School in March 2021 where she once again secured 'Good' outcomes for the school for the first time in the school's history.
Louise is passionate about creating a community where all children can be successful and can support each other to become active learners, leaders and citizens.
Louise's strengths include improving pupil outcomes, rapid and sustained school improvement, strategic planning, people management and growing leaders. She is also an Associate Leader for the Trust and is in the process of completing her NPQH. Craig has held a wide range of roles at a number of schools within the Active Learning Trust. He was Principal at Chantry Academy from 2015 and, since 2019, he has been Executive Head at Chantry along with Executive Head roles at Gusford, Hillside and Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy. Earlier in his career Craig was also Vice Principal at Neale-Wade Academy. Craig started his teaching career in Kent before moving to London and then Cambridgeshire. His roles have ranged from AST, data manager and director of specialism before taking the lead on Teaching and Learning. Craig was able to combine his first headship with support from the Government's Talented Leaders programme.
Craig is also the Associate Executive Leader for the Active Learning Trust. Adam Daw has lead Highfield Ely Academy since September 2017. Prior to this Adam was Head of a Sixth Form for young people with Special Needs which he led to its first “Outstanding” grade. Adam came into teaching after a ten year career in Hospitality Management and several years as a Company Director. Adam is passionate about getting the best possible outcomes for all young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Graham Horn was appointed as Principal at Neale-Wade Academy in September 2020. Has started his career as a teacher in Cambridgeshire and has been a senior leader for 18 years, with experience across a breadth of school leadership roles. Graham is committed to an inclusive and comprehensive education; providing opportunities for all. Jane Horn has been Principal of Cromwell Community College since 2014 having previously been Vice Principal. Jane started her teaching career at a secondary school in Huntingdon where she became Assistant Head with responsibility for Key Stage 3. Jane is thoroughly committed to school improvement; in 2016 and 2023, Cromwell was rated Good by OfSTED. The College is now focused on ensuring that outcomes for all pupils are outstanding.
jhorn@cromwell.cambs.sch.uk
@cromwell_cc
www.cromwellcc.org.uk
Wendy joined Sidegate as the headteacher in April 2011. Before this she was the head of a two-form entry primary school in the east of Ipswich for nearly 5 years. Wendy started her teaching career in Surrey after working for British Petroleum for eight years; she moved to Suffolk in 2000. Wendy believes that the primary school years should give children a broad range of experiences that enable them to discover their talents and develop a love of learning.
wendy.james@sidegate.net
@SidegatePrimary
www.sidegate.co.uk.
Rachel joined Grove in 2020 as Lower Key Stage 2 Lead and helped to develop the foundation subjects curriculum. She also led Key Stage 2 as a whole before becoming Interim Head of School. Rachel's passion is developing curriculum with a particular interest in the Arts and Humanities, ensuring that children have access to a cultural capital that they may otherwise not experience. Rachel is an Associate Lead for the trust and continues to develop curriculum across Westwood and Grove Primary Schools.
Heather Madsen is the Executive Headteacher at Red Oak Primary School in Lowestoft and Gusford Primary School in Ipswich. Prior to this, Heather was Headteacher for First Base Pupil Referral Unit and Behaviour Support Service supporting over 40 Primary Schools in Suffolk. Heather has also been a Deputy Head Teacher, a SENCO, Literacy Coordinator and PE Coordinator in large Primary Schools as well as a small school. Heather also provided the National Strategies NPSLBA for Suffolk as a Key Practitioner. Heather is dedicated to ensuring all children receive the best opportunities regardless of their background.
headteacher@redoakprimary.org
@OakRed230
www.redoakprimaryschool.co.uk
Martyn Payne joined Pakefield Primary School in January 2014, in his first Headship. He started his career in Richmond upon Thames, London in 2003; he then moved to Lowestoft in 2005. Martyn joined a Middle School which was in Special Measures as an Assistant Headteacher for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. He was part of the team that enabled the school to quickly move to 'Good' in 18 months. Martyn then became Deputy Headteacher in north Lowestoft. Martyn is committed to ensuring that all children have the best possible start to their educational career and believes that all children regardless of their background can achieve great and wonderful things.
In September 2022 Martyn's role was expanded to Executive Headteacher of Pakefield Primary School and Reydon Primary School.
m.payne@pakefieldprimaryschool.org.uk
@PfieldPrimary
www.pakefieldprimaryschool.org.uk
Yvonne has been Head of School of Highfield Littleport since it opened in September 2017. She was involved in the very early planning stages of the build to form a bespoke provision to meet the needs of learners with special educational needs. Prior to this she was an Early Years and Key Stage 1 Leader with a range of responsibilities at the trust’s other SEN school, Highfield Ely. In her early years of teaching she taught in a variety of mainstream schools, setting up a Nurture Group and working as a SENCo. She over 16 years of experience in dealing with learners with additional needs in both mainstream and specialist environments. Yvonne is a trained SLE specialising in Early Years Education and she has also completed the National Award for SEN Co-ordination. She is passionate about providing education that is individualised and appropriate to meet the needs of each learner in her care.
Yvonne.Skillern@highfieldlittleport.org
www.highfieldlittleport.org
Bryony started her career in Essex, then moved to Suffolk and worked in a variety of different schools before she became Head teacher of a small rural primary school. Following a move to Cambridgeshire, Bryony was given the unique and exciting opportunity of working with the ALT and the local community to set up Chesterton Primary School in Cambridge. A year later, she set up the Isle of Ely Primary School, and has been fortunate to support the growth and development of both schools. Following a year working for a Norfolk Education Trust advising schools on their development journeys, Bryony was delighted to return to the Headship of the Isle of Ely Primary School. Bryony is determined that every child will develop a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning. Stephen took up his first Headship in Lincolnshire in 2000 completing his NPQH in the same year. He has led small rural schools and a large three form entry town school which was rated as outstanding by Ofsted for over 10 years. Stephen has a passion for personal development and community involvement, he has an MSc in Sport Science with a particular expertise in the teaching of PE and sport. Stephen moved to Ipswich in 2023 as Headteacher of Gusford and is enjoying every minute!
Lucy Wass has been Headteacher at Hillside Primary School since September 2023. Prior to this Lucy was Headteacher at a school in Essex which she she led from 'Inadequate' to a judgement of 'Good' with 'Outstanding' Personal Development. She has a wealth of leadership experience in the primary and secondary sector. Lucy is passionate about ensuring that all children receive the highest quality of education via a teamwork approach.
Profiles
Tom Abbs
Headteacher, Earith Primary School
Rae Aldous
Executive Headteacher, Westwood Primary School, Grove Primary School, Albert Pye & Ravensmere
Simon Bainbridge
Executive Headteacher, SEND and Inclusion Director
Lauraine Barnes
Head of School, Westwood
Louise Creed
Head of School, Albert Pye and Ravensmere
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Craig D'Cunha
Executive Headteacher, Chantry Academy
Adam Daw
Headteacher, Highfield Ely Academy
Graham Horn
Principal, Neale-Wade Academy
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Jane Horn
Executive Headteacher / Principal, Cromwell Community College
Wendy James
Headteacher, Sidegate Primary School
Rachel Kounnas
Head of School - Grove Primary School
Heather Madsen
Executive Headteacher, Red Oak Primary School and Gusford Primary School
Martyn Payne
Executive Headteacher, Pakefield Primary School and Reydon Primary School
Yvonne Skillern
Headteacher, Highfield Littleport Academy
Bryony Surtees
Headteacher, Isle of Ely Primary School
Stephen Tapley
Headteacher, Gusford Primary School
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Lucy Wass
Headteacher, Hillside Primary School
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