Education Team

Our experienced school improvement team provides educational support for our schools. Our aim is to bring out ‘the best in everyone’, and this approach has proven successful: 76% of our schools have a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating, compared with 22% at their previous inspection. But we don't stop there – we are committed to developing every child in our schools, closing the gap for disadvantaged pupils and providing a well-rounded education with character.

Our educational support is led by Dame Sally Coates (Director of Secondary Academies) and Darran Ellison-Lee (Director of Primary Education).

Benjamin Antell

Director of Secondary Education

Benjamin Antell

Director of Secondary Education

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 Ellison-Lee

Director of Primary Education

Darran Ellison-Lee

Director of Primary Education

Darran has a wide range of achievements in Education, including leadership in 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 training for Schools Direct.

Darran has overseen growth of our primary schools, which now includes 18 Academies and 12 Independent Prep schools. Darran’s leadership of improvement work has secured enhanced quality of teaching, resulting in schools moving from Special Measures to Good, at times requiring him to step in as Exec Head or acting Principal to support. Under Darran’s leadership, 10 United Learning primary schools have maintained or secured a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating for overall effectiveness. In addition, 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.

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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