Our experienced education teams provide high quality school improvement, school development and leadership support to our schools, working closely with school leaders to ensure that each school exemplifies the principles of our Framework for Excellence and delivers an excellent education to the children and young people it serves.
Each of our three national Education Directors has been an outstanding school leader and brings a wealth of experience to the role. They each lead a team dedicated to supporting their schools – independent schools; primary academies and secondary academies – while also working closely with colleagues across United Learning to ensure that each school receives the support it needs.
Ben Antell currently works as Director of Secondary Academies in United Learning. Before taking…
Benjamin
Director of Secondary Academies and Regional Director for Paddington Academy
Ben Antell currently works as Director of Secondary Academies in United Learning. Before taking up this post, Ben worked for four years as a Secondary Regional Director supporting schools across the country.
Ben has previously held Executive Principal and Principal posts in a number of schools before his appointment as Regional Director. Ben holds an honours degree from the University of Exeter. His wider interests include keeping fit, playing a variety of sports and providing a taxi service to his two teenage sons.
Darran has a wide range of achievements in education, including…
Darran
Director of Primary Education
Darran has a wide range of achievements in education, including Headteacher at both Primary and Secondary phases as well as in special education. Darran was a National Leader of Education, leading one of the first national teaching schools and a federation of primary schools in the North of England. The teaching school under his leadership provided a wide range of school improvement work and was one of the first schools providing initial teacher training.
Darran has overseen growth to over 40 primary academies and nurseries. Darran’s leadership of improvement work has secured enhanced quality of teaching, resulting in schools moving from Special Measures to Good and outstanding, at times requiring him to step in as Executive Head or acting Principal to support.
Darran is Director with responsibility for the Trust’s support, challenge and accountability on safeguarding, ensuring that United Learning meets statutory requirements and that safeguarding processes across the Group are robust and effective.
Fiona became Director of Independent Schools in September 2022. She originally joined the…
Fiona
Director of Independent Schools
Fiona became Director of Independent Schools in September 2022. She originally joined the organisation in 1995 when it was the Church Schools Company; later becoming United Learning. She was Head of Guildford High School from 2002 – 2022 and is currently the Executive Head there. Guildford High became a Teaching School in 2013 and Fiona was appointed an NLE, leading the United Learning Teaching School Alliance from 2013 – 2020. She has a variety of governance roles; she is an Associate Director of Cumbria University, on the governing body of Epsom College and St Ives Prep School and she is a member of the ‘Learning Partners Academy Trust’.
Fiona is on the Advisory Board of a new charity called the School Partnerships Alliance and she has helped to establish the West Surrey Partnership of all the state and independent schools in the Guildford area. She was Chair of HMC in 2019-2020, and on the Advisory Council of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education (IEAIED) (2018 – 2021).
In 2023, Fiona was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to education.
Each of our Regional Directors has experience of leading and delivering school improvement with impact, often in challenging circumstances. They each work with a group of schools – grouped together in clusters wherever possible – supporting the Head and senior leaders to ensure that each school is continuously developing and improving, drawing on the resources from within the education team and more widely in the interests of children, young people, staff and the wider community.
Tanya joined United Learning in January 2018. In her previous role as HMI she led inspections of…
Tanya
Primary Regional Director (North)
Tanya joined United Learning in January 2018. In her previous role as HMI she led inspections of primary schools, independent schools, nurseries and special schools. Her role as HMI also involved complaints investigations, monitoring schools in categories of concern and taking part in national surveys. Her background in early years means that she has had the privilege of inspecting nursery schools.
Tanya started teaching in 1988 and has had a successful career in education as a primary teacher, deputy headteacher and headteacher. This experience includes working in schools in challenging contexts and in both urban and rural settings. She sat on the executive boards for the Primary Heads Association and the NAHT in Cumbria, working on issues that affected the future direction of education.
Matthew joined United Learning in November 2016. In his previous roles, Matthew served as a…
Matthew
Primary Regional Director (Midlands)
Matthew joined United Learning in November 2016. In his previous roles, Matthew served as a Primary Headteacher for nearly ten years. During this period, he led schools that were in an Ofsted Category, ensuring a rapid and focused improvement in all areas.
Prior to his appointment as a Headteacher, Matthew worked as a Deputy Head, leading Assessment, Behaviour and Curriculum.
Matthew started teaching in 1993. All of his teaching and leadership experience have been within areas of social and economic challenge, ensuring his focus has always been upon improving life chances and educational progress for all groups of pupils.
Claire has enjoyed an extensive and varied career working in schools, starting in 1988, and…
Claire
Primary Regional Director (South)
Claire has enjoyed an extensive and varied career working in schools, starting in 1988, and leading on to subsequent success in primary teaching, subject and senior leadership. As part of this, she has had over 20 years’ experience of headship which included taking a school to Outstanding and leading a school out of Special Measures.
Claire is a Local Leader of Education, has been an Inspector for Ofsted for a number of years, and has worked as a school improvement partner providing wide-ranging support for schools in challenging contexts. She joined United Learning following 3 years in the role of Director of Education for a large multi-academy trust in Cornwall.
Karen joined United Learning in September 2022. She started teaching in 2004 and has had a…
Karen
Primary Regional Director (London)
Karen joined United Learning in September 2022. She started teaching in 2004 and has had a successful career in education as a primary teacher, deputy headteacher and headteacher. This experience includes working in maintained schools, MATs and schools in challenging contexts and areas of high depravation.
Karen is a lead Ofsted Inspector with experience of inspecting schools in all remits. Karen has also worked as a lead adviser for an inner London local authority supporting primary headteachers.
Oli is Regional Director for Cumbria and Lancashire. She has previously been the Regional…
Oli
Senior Secondary Regional Director
Oli is Regional Director for Cumbria and Lancashire. She has previously been the Regional Director for the East Midlands where she has worked with three schools on their improvement journey towards Outstanding. Prior to this, Oli led the first national SCITT for United Learning and was Principal and Executive Principal of Paddington Academy for 10 years.
Leon is a part-time Regional Director and part-time Executive Head at The Elms and The Hurlingham…
Leon
Secondary Regional Director
Leon is a part-time Regional Director and part-time Executive Head at The Elms and The Hurlingham Academies. Leon works with schools across London and his strategic priority is Year 11 Standards.
Katie is a part-time Regional Director and joint Principal of Paddington Academy. Katie works…
Katie
Katie is a part-time Regional Director and joint Principal of Paddington Academy. Katie works with schools in South-East London and her strategic priority is United Teaching.
Stuart is a full-time Regional Director and works with schools in Salford, Bournemouth and Poole…
Stuart
Stuart is a full-time Regional Director and works with schools in Salford, Bournemouth and Poole and the south. Stuart’s strategic responsibilities are Data and Assessment and Behaviour and Suspensions. Stuart has worked in the group since 2015 where he started at Glenmoor and Winton Academies in Bournemouth. His interests include coaching at his local cricket club and being an active parent for his three children.
Chris is a secondary Regional Director for academies in the south. She joined United Learning in…
Christine
Chris is a secondary Regional Director for academies in the south. She joined United Learning in September 2017 following 7 years working for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. For her last three years with Ofsted, Chris was a senior HMI, working in the South West, overseeing and quality-assuring inspection throughout the region. She is an experienced secondary senior leader, working in schools and local authorities in two London authorities and, since 2005, in Hampshire, where she lives.
Steve works as a Regional Director with United Learning schools in Cambridge and London. Before…
Steve
Steve works as a Regional Director with United Learning schools in Cambridge and London. Before taking up this post, Steve established United Learning’s team of subject and specialist advisers and led the team’s curriculum work which accelerated during the pandemic. In 2018, Steve was part of the team that led the introduction of the Rosenshine Principles to United Learning schools.
Steve joined United Learning in 2015 following senior leadership positions in two London schools. He has a Masters in Education Management and recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership. Steve enjoys reading and running, and playing football with his son while he still has the upper hand. He lives in east London with his wife and son.
Laura is a full-time Regional Director and works with schools in Yorkshire and Manchester.…
Laura
Laura is a full-time Regional Director and works with schools in Yorkshire and Manchester. Laura’s strategic responsibility is Disadvantaged and Pupil Premium. Before taking up this post, Laura worked as a Principal of a secondary school in Leeds. Her wider interests include visiting galleries, arts and crafts, walking and keeping her 5-year-old daughter entertained.
Chris recently joined the Regional Director team for Secondaries and is working with schools in…
Chris
Chris recently joined the Regional Director team for Secondaries and is working with schools in the East Midlands. Chris remains Principal of Northampton Academy where he has been for the last six years. In that time, the school has moved to now be recognised as a national leader in character education and achieved a strong Ofsted outcome in March 2023.
Outside of school he is kept very busy with two little kids, but when he gets a chance, he is an avid sports fan. His two passions are Scotland Rugby team and Dundee United Football Club. They both test his character on a regular basis.
Dino works primarily with schools in the Midlands and Swindon. He also holds the position of…
Dino
Dino works primarily with schools in the Midlands and Swindon. He also holds the position of Principal at Kettering Buccleuch Academy, an all-through school which has improved rapidly under his leadership and has won a Pearson Silver Award this year for Secondary School Of The Year: Making A Difference. Alongside his other roles, Dino has guided many of United Learning’s aspiring leaders through the completion of the group’s NPQH programme.
Our subject advisers are specialists, working directly with Heads of Departments and teachers in our schools to support excellence in their subject. They are passionate advocates for their subject and know first-hand the importance of high-quality teaching of a knowledge-rich and challenging curriculum, underpinned by precise assessment.
Catherine is the Head of Music and Performing Arts in United Learning. Alongside supporting and…
Catherine
Head of Music and Performing Arts
Catherine is the Head of Music and Performing Arts in United Learning. Alongside supporting and advising teachers in the Group, she also leads Group-wide performance events, such as ‘Zimbe’ and ‘Wassail!’ – recently recognised at the Music Teachers Awards as ‘Best Classical Music Education Initiative 2018’.
Catherine has played a leading role in developing the groupwide cultural festival and the groupwide KS3 curriculum for music. Prior to joining United Learning, Catherine led performing arts faculties in Outstanding inner London schools: at Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney and Sacred Heart RC Secondary School in Camberwell, where she began her career as the first Teach First music teacher. Catherine was a scholar at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College, Cambridge, and has performed extensively, including on Radio 3 and professional recordings.
Shaun is Head of Sport at United Learning. His role is to support schools in improving the…
Shaun
Head of Sport
Shaun is Head of Sport at United Learning. His role is to support schools in improving the quality of their PE and school sport and how they use the power of sport to raise standards across the school.
Shaun is a former Head of PE and Director of Specialism (sport) who progressed to Vice-Principal roles in two secondary schools. Having trained at what was then the West Sussex Institute of Higher Education, Shaun later gained his MA(Ed) from Southampton University and his NPQH. Having taken a national role with the Youth Sport Trust, Shaun was given the opportunity to deliver some teacher training in Iraq as part of an EU-funded contract with the British Council.
In 2013 Shaun appeared before the Education Select Committee to give evidence on ‘School Sport following London 2012’. In 2014 United Learning published ‘The A-Z of School Improvement through PE and Sport’ which Shaun produced and co-edited. He sits on the Board of Trustees for Sports Leaders UK, the Board of Directors for the Adur Outdoor Activities Centre and the Education Board for Apex2100. Shaun is an experienced coach, being Head Coach at his local triathlon club and having achieved his Level 7 Executive Coaching and Mentoring qualification with the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Brian has 18 years of experience as a secondary school English teacher and has worked with United…
Brian
Director of English
Brian has 18 years of experience as a secondary school English teacher and has worked with United Learning for 11 years. Brian initially joined United Learning in 2007 as Head of English at Lambeth Academy, before becoming an Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning. Under Brian’s leadership, Lambeth Academy’s English department secured an ‘Outstanding’ judgement in an Ofsted subject inspection and were recipients of an SSAT award for ‘outstanding practice’.
In 2014, Brian was appointed as United Learning’s English subject adviser for the South, before becoming National Director of English in 2017.
Ben has worked in education for over 20 years, as a secondary school science teacher, Advanced…
Ben
Director of Science
Ben has worked in education for over 20 years, as a secondary school science teacher, Advanced Skills Teacher, senior leader and adviser. He joined United Learning as the Science Adviser in January 2016, before becoming Senior Science Advisor in 2018.
Ben has worked in several schools on developing science teaching, both as an AST and as a local authority adviser, as well as leading on teaching and learning across a whole school. Ben also has a MA in Education, with a focus in the impact of feedback on students learning.
Amanda has worked in education for over fifteen years. She started her career by joining the…
Amanda
Director of Maths
Amanda has worked in education for over fifteen years. She started her career by joining the Teach First programme after receiving a first-class honours degree in Mathematics. Amanda joined United Learning in 2012 and worked as a lead practitioner, SLE, head of department and Assistant Principal. Amanda is now the Director of Maths working across all United Learning schools.
Tony started teaching in 2004 as a geography teacher and joined United Learning as the Geography…
Tony
Senior Subject Adviser - Geography
Tony started teaching in 2004 as a geography teacher and joined United Learning as the Geography Adviser in September 2016. Tony has worked in a number of different roles, including Head of Geography, Head of Humanities, Assistant Principal, Director of Humanities for another trust, and Lead Practitioner for Teaching and Learning. Tony started examining in 2006 and also became an SLE for teaching and learning in 2015 for the Cambridge Teaching network.
Furthermore, Tony secured the geography accreditation for his department from the Geographical Association in 2013. In 2015 Tony was one of only three people to receive a joint award from the SSAT and the Geographical Association, as recognition for his ‘leadership and outstanding expertise in geography education.’
Sally retrained from a business background as a history teacher in 2008, completing a PGCE at…
Sally
Senior Subject Adviser - History
Sally retrained from a business background as a history teacher in 2008, completing a PGCE at Liverpool Hope University. Returning to London as an NQT, she began teaching at Ashcroft Technology Academy and became second in charge of Humanities; she delivered the IB, A Level and GCSE history and KS3 humanities. Whilst at ATA, the academy moved from Ofsted Good to Outstanding. In 2013 Sally moved to Burlington Danes Academy as Head of History and then subsequently as Head of Humanities.
Ofsted recognised BDA as Outstanding in 2014 whilst she was Head of Department and she became recognised as a teacher of excellence by ARK. Sally also planned and led history CPD across the ARK academies between 2015-2017 supporting teachers and strengthening history provision in the network. She also managed an Education NGO, EdUKaid, in Tanzania and is dedicated to improving education for all young people she encounters, wherever they are, to reach their potential.
Mariu has over 15 years of experience as Head of Department and a total…
Mariu
Senior Modern Languages Adviser
Mariu has over 15 years of experience as Head of Department and a total of 19 years as a languages teacher of Spanish and German to A Level, French and Latin to GCSE. The departments she has led have improved outcomes in public exams and increased uptake at both KS4 and KS5.
She is an examiner for both Edexcel (A level) and AQA (GCSE) and has an MEd in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Cambridge.
Mariu was appointed to her current role in January 2019, but she has been working for United Learning, as Head of Department, since 2015.
Jen has worked in Primary Education for over 25 years, much of the time combining teaching with…
Jen
Primary Subject Adviser - English
Jen has worked in Primary Education for over 25 years, much of the time combining teaching with other roles. Prior to joining United Learning she was the English Adviser for the CAM Academy Trust and also facilitated writing moderation with large clusters of schools throughout Cambridgeshire. Jen is a former Local Authority English Adviser for Cambridgeshire; a role in which she supported schools and delivered courses focused on all aspects of English, including leading the St Neots Schools Forum poetry and storytelling festival and working with teachers in museums and out-of-school settings.
From 2000 to 2014 Jen was a tutor on the PGCE and GTP at the Faculty of Education, Cambridge University; she has also delivered training to teachers in Kazakhstan. Jen has researched several areas of children's literacy, including gender differences in responding to texts. From 2001 to 2004 she was a researcher on the Cambridge University government-funded project, ‘Raising Boys’ Achievement’, specifically researching the role of drama and talk to develop writing.
Karen Tulloch joined United Learning after eleven years as a senior lecturer at St Mary’s…
Karen Tulloch joined United Learning after eleven years as a senior lecturer at St Mary’s University, an Outstanding teacher training provider. In this role, Karen was the primary English subject leader. She taught across PGCE and Undergraduate routes, as well as supporting trainee teachers on school placements and tutoring students within university. Karen also delivered courses on autism, having become a trainer for Autism Education Trust.
Prior to her role in initial teacher education, Karen taught in London primary schools for almost twenty years. This experience included several years as SENCo in a large primary school. From 2005 – 2007, Karen was a VSO volunteer in Ethiopia, managing and moderating a nationwide teacher educator programme. She also worked in a teaching capacity for several NGOs whilst there.
Jill joined United Learning in September 2018. In her previous role she was the Primary Teaching…
Jill
Primary Subject Adviser - Maths
Jill joined United Learning in September 2018. In her previous role she was the Primary Teaching for Mastery Lead for the West Yorkshire Maths Hub and the Primary Maths Lead for Bradford College’s Initial Teacher Education. Prior to this, Jill has taught within Primary, Middle and Secondary school settings, focusing on mathematics, gaining experience as a Maths Coordinator, Key Stage 3 Coordinator and Second in Department. Jill was a Maths Consultant for Education Bradford and was involved in the Comenius European Project 'Weird to Wired' which focused on the development and delivery of ICT led mathematics lessons.
Mark joined the Primary team at United Learning in September 2019 as Maths Adviser supporting…
Mark
Mark joined the Primary team at United Learning in September 2019 as Maths Adviser supporting schools mainly in the South and the Midlands.
Prior to joining the Primary team, Mark was a primary school teacher and maths subject lead for over 10 years in schools in Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham, one of which was Langford Primary School, which is also part of the group.
Mark has completed the NPQSL and is an NCETM Professional Development Accredited Lead.
Jane has worked in education for over 17 years, as a primary school teacher, specialising in EYFS…
Jane
EYFS Adviser
Jane has worked in education for over 17 years, as a primary school teacher, specialising in EYFS, in schools across the West Midlands and Worcestershire. She joined the Primary team at United Learning in September 2022, initially seconded from her role as Assistant Headteacher at Corngreaves Primary, where she led on Early Years Foundation Stage. Jane joined the team on a permanent basis in June 2023, continuing to support schools and advise on EYFS across primary schools within the trust.
Lucy
Secondary Subject Adviser - English
Edward
Dana joined the Secondary Maths Advisers team for United Learning in September 2019. In addition…
Dana
Secondary Subject Adviser - Maths
Dana joined the Secondary Maths Advisers team for United Learning in September 2019. In addition to teaching maths across key stages 3 to 5 for eight years, her previous roles have included Assistant Headteacher (Pupil Premium) at Blenheim High School in Epsom, where she played a key role in moving the school from Requires Improvement to Good in April 2019. Prior to this she was as Head of Maths at United Learning’s, Lambeth Academy in Clapham, now known as The Elms Academy.
Alec
Zubair joined United Learning in 2022 as a maths adviser based in the North of England. He…
Zubair
Zubair joined United Learning in 2022 as a maths adviser based in the North of England. He started his career with Teach First as a maths teacher based in East London. Zubair has worked with several schools in London and Manchester since then as a middle and senior leader with a record of securing strong outcomes for students.
Zubair now works alongside Amanda, Alec and Dana as part of the secondary maths adviser team.
Anila
Secondary Subject Adviser - Science
Nicola
Alicia joined United Learning as a History Adviser in 2021, offering direct support to schools in…
Alicia
Secondary Subject Adviser - History
Alicia joined United Learning as a History Adviser in 2021, offering direct support to schools in the North of England. She has a keen interest in the education sector which resulted in her completing her BA Hons degree in History and Education Studies and led to her developing this further by completing an MA in Education. Alicia has worked in several roles throughout her career so far including Head of History, Head of Humanities and Lead Practitioner with whole school teaching and learning responsibilities. During the pandemic she also supported remote learning for all pupils nationally by creating and recording lessons for Oak Academy.
Secondary Subject Adviser - Geography
Ian has worked with United Learning for seven years. Ian used to lead Religious Studies at…
Ian
Secondary Subject Adviser - Religious Education
Ian has worked with United Learning for seven years. Ian used to lead Religious Studies at Paddington Academy where he developed the curriculum and led the transition to whole cohort GCSE entry, securing outstanding outcomes for pupils at the school. He then began working on a part-time basis, writing and resourcing the United Learning Religious Studies curriculum which is now implemented nationally across our schools. Alongside that work, Ian also taught at Accrington Academy in Lancashire. As of September 2023, Ian now works as a full-time adviser for Religious Studies, working to support Religious Studies provision across United Learning.
Lucy received a BA from the University of Exeter and works as the South Coast Adviser alongside…
Lucy received a BA from the University of Exeter and works as the South Coast Adviser alongside the role of classroom teacher. She previously held the roles of Lead Practitioner and Head of Department at Glenmoor & Winton Academies.
Lucy has several years' experience as a KS4 examiner and in 2023 completed the Leadership Programme (Stage 1) through Culham St Gabriel's with a focus on Religion and Worldviews. Lucy has presented on curriculum and teacher development at education conferences and has also published several reading lists through RETeach to enhance the subject knowledge of practitioners.
Caroline has been a teacher of French and Spanish for over ten years, teaching from KS2 to KS4 in…
Caroline
Secondary Subject Adviser - Modern Foreign Languages
Caroline has been a teacher of French and Spanish for over ten years, teaching from KS2 to KS4 in both state and independent sectors. Caroline spent most of her career working in an outstanding central London academy, starting out as an Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) teacher but along the way holding the positions of KS3 coordinator and Head of MFL before joining the academic Senior Leadership Team. In 2021, Caroline joined United Learning as an MFL Curriculum Writer before becoming a Subject Adviser later that year.
Adriano
Secondary Subject Adviser - Art
Our trustees support the running of our linked charities. Our executive team are experienced leaders with a passion for their specialist area within the education sector.
Our first academy – Manchester Academy – opened in 2003. Today, our nurseries, primary and secondary academies across the country provide an excellent education to tens of thousands of children and young people. Each of our schools has its own distinct identity and ethos; all are committed to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’.
The ‘Church Schools Company’ founded its first independent school – Surbiton High School – in 1884. Today, our nurseries, prep/junior schools and senior schools provide an excellent education to children and young people aged 0-18. Each of our schools has its own distinct identity and ethos; all are committed to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’.
United Learning comprises: United Learning Ltd (Registered in England No: 00018582. Charity No. 313999) UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.
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