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• Emily Walden-Eyre
  Director of Teaching School Hub
  Emily Walden-Eyre

  Emily Walden-Eyre joins the team as Teaching School Hub Director. Prior to joining DRET Teaching School Hub, Emily was a headteacher at a North Lincolnshire primary school. She qualified as a teacher and quickly progressed to middle leadership and then onto senior leader roles, where she was then appointed headteacher in 2018. Emily has experience of school leadership in a range of contexts and has been the lead for staff CPD for many years - she is passionate about developing and inspiring teachers and leaders at all levels.

• Michael Trussell
  Appropriate Body Services and Initial Teacher Education Lead
  Michael Trussell

  Michael started his career as an NQT in the David Ross Education Trust at Havelock Academy in 2009, initially as a Teacher of ICT and then taking up the post of Assistant Principal in May 2015. During his time at Havelock Academy, Michael held other various leadership positions including Head of Key Stage 3, Subject Leader of ICT and Director of IT. Michael joined the Teaching School Hub in 2023 as Appropriate Body Lead, supporting schools and early careers teachers with ECT induction processes.

  In his former role as Assistant Principal, Michael oversaw the implementation of the early careers teacher CPD programmes, established strong partnerships with a variety of ITE partners across Northern Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire and was part of the early rollout of the ECF Framework. He has also been part of some local university ITE standing committees. Michael also led on Assessment, Examinations and Outcomes.

  In 2005, Michael was recognised by the British Computer Society for his performance in A-level ICT, collecting an award at an event held in London for achieving the top mark for the qualification across all candidate entries. Michael was also nominated for the award of 'Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School' as part of the Pearson Teaching Awards in 2018.

• Kimberley Lawton
  Chair of Strategic Board
  Kimberley Lawton

  Kimberley brings a wealth of experience in school leadership and strategic improvement, having led both primary and secondary schools. In addition, during her time as a Regional Director, she has played a key role in driving school improvement and supporting leadership development across a wide range of contexts.

  Alongside her deep expertise in teaching and learning, Kimberley has significant experience in behaviour and suspensions, having previously worked as our Trust lead in this area.

  Away from work, Kimberley lives in Scarborough with her husband and four children – three boys aged 14, 13 and 12, and a 15-month-old baby girl. When she's not leading school improvement, you'll most likely find her on the beach with her family, enjoying some well-earned downtime by the sea.

• Alia Waters
  Teaching School Hub Coordinator
  Alia Waters

  Alia joined DRET Teaching School Hub in May 2021 as Teaching School Hub Coordinator. Alia coordinates the NPQ programmes at DRET TSH, working with both participants and facilitators to ensure smooth running of the programmes. Alia also provides administration support for the Evidence Hub and the wider CPD provisions of the TSH. Alia previously worked for a local Teaching School where she developed a passion for working in the Education sector. In the role she would collaborate and work closely with Teaching School Alliance partner schools and universities' to provide support to aspiring and trainee teachers. Alia also has a background in finance, school administration processes and providing personal assistance to senior leaders.

• Catherine Thompson
  Teaching School Hub Coordinator
  Catherine Thompson

  Catherine joined DRET TSH in May 2021 as a Teaching School Hub Coordinator. Catherine joined us having previously worked across two Teaching Schools in North and North East Lincolnshire. Catherine has an extensive knowledge of supporting the NPQ suite of programmes and a passion, more broadly, for working in roles that support teachers' and school leaders' professional development. In her previous role she was accountable for the day-to-day running of a Teaching School office including finance, data and event management.