Visiting Fellow Community
The role of Expert Facilitator or Visiting Fellow is a recognition of some of the leading expert teachers and leaders in their field. These colleagues possess the expertise and capacity to support their peers within and beyond their own school.
ECT Expert Facilitators
-
Karen SmithECT Expert Facilitator
Karen Smith
Karen is a senior leader working in the core team at David Ross Education Trust as the trust-wide maths lead and strategic lead for assessment. Â This role is culmination of 22 years of classroom teaching and leadership roles in primary schools. Â Â
Karen works with teachers, middle and senior leaders all 22 DRET primary schools to support the development of high-quality teaching and learning across the network. Â She has also worked with East Midlands East Maths Hub for the past 6 years, as a specialist leading mastery workgroups with schools across Lincolnshire.
-
Tanya GrundyECT Expert Facilitator
Tanya Grundy
Tanya Grundy has over 20 years' experience as Head of Faculty and Lead Practitioner. For six of those years, she also taught drama and Shakespeare elements within the English PGCE at Nottingham Trent University. She is a specialist in both drama and dance, Key Stage 3-5, with a proven track record of high attainment across age range and disciplines. She is passionate about Teaching and Learning, Literacy and Oracy and drives these through her role as Lead Practitioner at Charnwood College. Currently, Tanya is taking her MA in Expert Teaching, researching cognitive science theories and how these support teaching, learning and curriculum planning.
-
Nick WarrenECT Expert Facilitator
Nick Warren
Nick Warren is a Year 6 Teacher, Mathematics Lead and Raising Standards Lead at Briar Hill Primary School in Northampton. He began his teaching journey in 2016 on the DRET's PGCE Schools Direct offer. Nick has been involved in a number of projects with Briar Hill including being involved in NCETM Sustaining for Mastery School, involved in the DRET's English and Mathematics Communities and completing his NPQML in 2020 and starting his NPQSL in 2021. Nick is passionate about supporting early career teachers to be the best that they can be and wants to inspire new Early Career Teachers. Â
Â
Â
-
Sonia Thundercliffe,ECT Expert Facilitator,
Sonia Thundercliffe,
Sonia is Assistant Principal for Staff Development at Havelock Academy, Grimsby. Sonia is a Havelock veteran, having spent almost half of her career at the Academy. Sonia has been teaching History for more than twenty years and is happiest in the classroom grappling with a contentious historical question. Sonia is a passionate advocate for an ambitious curriculum, as well as the provision of high-quality teaching as a tool for social justice. Sonia takes great joy from mentoring fledgling teachers to the profession, with a core part of her current role leading on the induction of Early Careers Teachers at Havelock. Â Â
, -
Sarah DurbinECT Expert Facilitator
Sarah Durbin
Sarah has been a teacher for nearly 10 years and entered the profession as a mature student. Having been so inspired by her own mentors as she entered her career, she has always been passionate about helping new teachers as they enter their career. This is her 7th year within DRET and 6th year of being ITT co-ordinator with her school. Sarah loves all areas of curriculum but has a strong passion for history and science.
-
Wendy BaxterECT Expert Facilitator
Wendy Baxter
Wendy currently works as a trust regional director. Her role involves providing guidance, support and challenge to senior leaders as well as leading on attendance. Wendy has worked in many different schools, both primary and secondary. More recently she has supported some of the most challenging schools in the country. As such she is widely experienced in school 'turnaround' and is passionate about making sure that every pupil has high aspirations for their future. She has also studied some of the very best schools, both in the UK and US, as part of her participation in the Future Leaders programme.
,
-
Jacqueline BrewellECT Expert Facilitator
Jacqueline Brewell
Jacqueline is an experienced Expert Facilitator, Instructional Coach and Mentor and has been working with the ECF since its introduction in 2021, and with NPQs since Spring ‘23. Whilst now freelance, Jacqueline has been a Deputy Head and Senior Leader in primary schools, where she was responsible for: Curriculum Development; the Quality of Teaching and Learning; Assessment; and NQTs/ECTs/ITTs, amongst other things! Before entering Education, Jacqueline held several senior positions in industry involving professional development of staff.
Visiting Fellows (Ambition NPQ programmes)
-
Stuart LockVisiting Fellow: NPQH
Stuart Lock
Stuart has over 20 years of experience teaching, 17 of which have been in leadership in schools. He has advised the Department for Education on the group that developed the Early Career Framework, the group that wrote the Headteacher Standards in 2020, and the group that looked at the role of National Leaders of Education in 2019.
-
Sol JohnsonVisiting Fellow: NPQH
Sol Johnson
Sol Johnson  is the inspirational principal of Welton CE Primary School and Newnham Academy.  Welton CE has recently been Ofsted inspected has been judged grade 1.  Under his leadership Newnham has moved from grade 3 to 2.  Prior to him leading Welton, it was judged by the SIAMS inspectorate to be grade 3 and is widely expected to achieve a grade 1 when next inspected.  He is also the DRET church school lead.
-
Megan MorrisVisiting Fellow: NPQH
Megan Morris
Megan Morris is the Executive Headteacher at DRET across schools and strategically leads on the Post-16 provision at the Trust. She has over  17  years of experience in school leadership in a range of secondary school settings. In addition to her in-school role, Megan has held a role of school governor for a number of years. Â
Â
Megan has led the significant improvement of outcomes at Malcolm Arnold Academy, a large secondary setting in the Midlands. Megan leads with a continued, dedicated focus on placing the teacher as the expert in the classroom. She maintains that colleagues should see themselves as part of a consistent team, providing children with the very best school experience as a result of the warm and strict environment they create, the powerful knowledge they teach and the strong moral purpose that drives them. Megan identifies school leadership as a privilege and that colleagues have a shared mission of delivering a world-class education to ensure that all students live full, rich and successful lives.
-
Clair MillsVisiting Fellow: NPQSL
Clair Mills
Clair is currently very privileged to be the principal at Eastfield Academy in Northampton. She has had various leadership roles previously, including being deputy head at Kings Heath Academy. Clair has always had a keen interest in leadership, professional development and ITT. She has been on different steering groups for the University of Northampton and supported a range of routes into teaching. Clair is part of the Trust Primary Teaching and Learning Community which has enabled her to work with a variety of leaders and teachers across the Trust. She is also passionate about the importance of Early Years and will happily talk about how important these foundations are for all of our pupils to succeed. Â
-
Angela WattsVisiting Fellow: NPQSL
Angela Watts
Angela is an experienced Headteacher who has worked, and led, in schools across England for 17 years. Angela has a passion for working in challenging schools and working with staff to transform behaviour and securing the best possible outcomes for all pupils.
-
John NilandVisiting Fellow: NPQSL
John Niland
John is Associate Principal at Coritani Academy and has wide leadership experience in a variety of settings across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. As a leader, areas of focus include developing school culture, leadership and behaviour and previously 5 years as an Advanced Skills Teacher.
-
Phil AllenVisiting Fellow: NPQSL
Phil Allen
As the Deputy Head teacher at Lisle Marsden CE Primary Academy for the last 8 years, Phil is an experienced senior leader who currently oversees the development of teaching staff and their CPD, curriculum developments and assessment. He has expertise in curriculum leadership and the development of leadership skills within staff. He joined the teaching profession in 1997 as a primary teacher specializing in mathematics and technology. He has worked in multiple schools in a range of leadership roles including ICT subject leadership, key stage 2 leadership and assistant headteacher.
-
Jude HuntonVisiting Fellow: NPQSL
Jude Hunton
Jude Hunton is executive headteacher at DRET and headmaster of Skegness Grammar School. He has over fifteen years of experience teaching, ten years in leadership roles: leading English and then senior leadership in four different schools.
 He is currently headmaster at Skegness Grammar and part of a leadership team that have raised outcomes and improved the school's Ofsted rating. He has written and led training for the Chartered College of Teaching and their journal Impact. Jude is the organiser of researched Rugby in partnership with Rugby School, the midland's largest CPD event for teachers. He is executive headteacher at DRET for Quality of Education in secondaries. Jude is also a governor at a Lincolnshire primary school.
-
Claire Tyrell-SmithVisiting Fellow: NPQEYL
Claire Tyrell-Smith
Claire holds a Trust wide role for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Â Claire is currently Deputy Head of Greenfields Primary School and Nursery, that was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in January 2020.
-
Helen SavageVisiting Fellow: NPQEYL
Helen Savage
Helen has over 20 years of experience working across many different educational contexts including Primary schools, Children's Centres, Sure Starts, PVI and International language schools. Currently Helen is a nursery teacher and Early Years lead based at Endike Academy in Hull. She is also privileged to work Trust wide in the roles of SLE and EYFS Trust lead. Â
Helen is the Area Lead for Croydon and is involved in overseeing and delivering the EYFS Covid19 Recovery Programme for the DFE. Helen lives and breathes early years and is an enthusiastic advocate for play. Her mission is to ensure all practitioners have a strong understanding of child development, play, practice, and pedagogy. She is passionate about giving educators the best possible toolkits for their roles and enjoys developing high quality training that is accessible to all. She has a keen interest in international early years practice and has had experience of working overseas and of visiting a range of international early years settings
-
Jane Badger-JonesVisiting Fellow: NPQEYL
Jane Badger-Jones
Jane has over 20 years of experience working across many different educational contexts including Infant, Primary schools and a Leading ITT, then aspiration Widening Participation Outreach in a University. Currently Jane is a Nursery Teacher and Early Years lead based at Kings Heath Academy in Northamptonshire in a community of deprivation. She is passionate about Early Years and the vital role this has in ensuring children are successful, enthusiastic and empowered learners for life. Jane has visited Europe Early Years settings in the area of Thinking skills and presented at a National Conference in Washington DC around Children as Change Makers.
-
Scott BarlowVisiting Fellow: NPQLBC
Scott Barlow
Scott has been a teacher for 22 years and senior leader for over 12 years, having worked in three contrasting secondary schools across the Yorkshire and Humber region. Throughout Scott's career he has continued to seek opportunities to develop his practice as a leader and as a teacher. Scott is currently the Principal in an 11-18 academy in North Lincolnshire. Scott is passionate about school improvement and school leadership having worked with a number of leaders in differing local authorities over the last 10 years. Â Â Previously Scott has been an SLE for the Doncaster Teaching School, worked for the National College as a Middle Leader Facilitator for its NPQML courses and has also delivered school to school support as a PIXL Associate. Â
Â
-
Sue JonesVisiting Fellow: NPQLBC
Sue Jones
Sue joined the David Ross Education Trust in January 2019 as Principal of Charles Read Academy and is now Executive Principal across two academies in Lincolnshire. She is experienced at all levels of leadership, has worked in single sex and co-educational academies and her success in driving achievement and improving schools has been recognised  on many occasions  by Ofsted.  Sue has completed a master's degree in education, has her NPQH, was involved in the Talented Leaders programme with the Ambition Institute and more recently the Exemplary Leadership programme.  Â
Sue is passionate about driving character and values through the vehicle of a House system. Her vision for a framework to enhance personal development was recognised this year when Charles Read Academy received the Character Kitemark, and recognition that, 'The school's House System is outstanding practice as a framework for delivering character education.' (Association of Character Education) Â Â
Â
-
Darren GardinerVisiting Fellow: NPQLBC
Darren Gardiner
Darren is a passionate and experienced Senior Leader. Darren is currently a specialist behaviour support coach for BILD and specialist leader of education. He believes in always learning and always sharing good practice and that positive relationships are the cornerstone of high quality education provision.
-
Janine KingVisiting Fellow: NPQLBC
Janine King
Over a career in education spanning 30 years, Janine has had numerous leadership roles in Primary, Middle and Junior schools across the country. She firmly believes that children deserve to have the best education available, and that the first step is to create a positive ethos and culture that runs throughout the school – a clear and consistent expectation that is communicated and modelled by every staff member in every classroom, every lesson, every day. Janine has a proven track record of driving school improvement in schools in challenging circumstances. She currently leads Wold Academy in Hull.
-
Jeanette TaylorVisiting Fellow: NPQLTD
Jeanette Taylor
Jeanette has 30 years teaching experience across a variety of primary schools. She was literacy advisor for North Lincolnshire Local Authority. She works for the North Lincolnshire SCITT Partnership developing the central training programme for ITTs. Jeanette has an MA in Education research.
-
Virginie BarreVisiting Fellow: NPQLTD
Virginie Barre
Virginie is a Trust-wide subject lead at DRET. She has an MA, an MFL PGCE and an NPQH. For 25 years, Virginie has taught Modern Languages in a range of schools, held the role of Deputy Head in a large school in London and played a role in the school being awarded two Outstanding ratings by Ofsted, and Teaching School status.
-
Naomi BellVisiting Fellow: NPQLTD
Naomi Bell
Naomi is an experienced math teacher and department lead, who joined Advantage Schools as the maths lead for the trust in September 2019. Prior to joining the trust Naomi taught for six years in central London where she had a track record of supporting her students to achieve excellent outcomes at GCSE as well as improving outcomes across the school. Naomi has also developed a passion for becoming and supporting others to become expert teachers of maths, supporting both primary and secondary colleagues. In particular, Naomi enjoys creating highly effective strategies for teaching difficult concepts, planning and resourcing excellent curricula and training other teachers to become skilled practitioners.
-
Amelia HoldcroftVisiting Fellow: NPQLT
Amelia Holdcroft
Amelia is a Teaching and Learning Lead at OFSTED-rated 'Outstanding' Greenfields Primary School and Nursery in Kettering. Amelia drives whole-school improvement in Teaching and Learning as well as supporting colleagues across the Trust.
-
Kerry MilliganVisiting Fellow: NPQLT
Kerry Milligan
Kerry is Assistant Principal at King Edward VI Academy in Spilsby. Her current role involves leading teaching and learning across the academy, line management of the different faculties and the role of ECT Induction Co-ordinator.
-
Chanel McPherson-GeorgeVisiting Fellow: NPQLT
Chanel McPherson-George
As Head of Science at Bedford Free School, Chanel has lead on developing new curricula and implementing cyclical improvements. Â She has led departmental CPD and mentored/coached many early career teachers as well as experienced staff members. Chanel has an interest in neuroscientific approaches to teaching and engage in small-scale classroom-based action research to inform decision and policy making. For her, it is vital that department policy becomes reality and that staff hold each other, and their students, to account for the high standards that we as educators are ever-aspiring towards.
-
Eve KennyVisiting Fellow: NPQLT
Eve Kenny
Eve began her teaching career in 2013 at Greenfields Primary School as a Key Stage One Teacher. She spent many years in Key Stage One and is highly skilled in Early Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Throughout her time teaching at Greenfields, Eve progressed into senior leadership, becoming a phase leader also leading on English and Mathematics across the school. In 2021 Eve took on a secondment at Briar Hill Primary School as the assistant head teacher leading teaching and learning. Eve is incredibly passionate in ensuring achievement for all children no matter their background. She is highly skilled in direct instruction and coaching teachers so that they can always promote high standards of learning.
-
Jo McCluskieVisiting Fellow: NPQLL
Jo McCluskie
Joanne is Trust-wide subject lead at DRET and was previously a Trust Curriculum & Research Lead. A secondary English teacher for over 20 years, Joanne also worked with the Teacher Development Trust as an Expert Advisor for the new NPQs. After successfully implementing a Whole School Reading Scheme, she has consulted with a range of schools to support implementation in their context
-
Charlie WildVisiting Fellow: NPQLL
Charlie Wild
Charlie is an experienced English teacher and literacy leader. He began his career as a primary class teacher. Charlie has a wealth of knowledge about the development of reading, writing and vocabulary across a wide range of ages. He also has several years of experience coaching and mentoring trainee teachers.
Expert Facilitators (National Institute of Teaching NPQ programmes)
NPQ Expert Facilitators (ID 1139)
-
Clair MillsExpert Facilitator NPQH
Clair Mills
Clair is currently very privileged to be the principal at Eastfield Academy in Northampton. She has had various leadership roles previously, including being deputy head at Kings Heath Academy. Clair has always had a keen interest in leadership, professional development and ITT. She has been on different steering groups for the University of Northampton and supported a range of routes into teaching. Clair is part of the Trust Primary Teaching and Learning Community which has enabled her to work with a variety of leaders and teachers across the Trust. She is also passionate about the importance of Early Years and will happily talk about how important these foundations are for all of our pupils to succeed. She has recently delivered the NPQSL with the TSH and she has completed the NPQH and NPQSL with Ambition so has a good understanding of the frameworks.
-
Sarah SprackExpert Facilitator NPQH
Sarah Sprack
Sarah started her career in education as a mathematics teacher. She has experience of senior leadership roles in a number of schools in several Local Authority areas across the country, most recently as principal at South Axholme Academy, before becoming substantive CEO of Isle Education Trust in 2019. In this role she has overall responsibility for the trust's performance and delivery. Sarah is Chair of the North Lincolnshire Secondary Heads and Principals group where she has been instrumental in promoting outreach work and peer support within her area. She also sits on the local Schools Standards Board.
-
Sam BarlowExpert Facilitator NPQSL
Sam Barlow
Samantha is an executive headteacher with a demonstrated history of working in primary education. Skilled in Coaching and Curriculum Development with a focus on research led practice. She is a passionate champion of life chances for all pupils, through a research led culture of mutual trust. She believes in a supportive professional environment where teachers are encouraged to lead on areas of curriculum and be the key role models for attitudes and values of our children. When she is not in school, Samantha plays tenor horn in a brass band and reads as much as she can!
-
Emily McCullaghExpert Facilitator NPQSL
Emily McCullagh
Emily, having facilitated the NPQLBC and completed her own NPQEL and NPQSL, possesses a unique and valuable experience that enables her to share insightful perspectives on successfully completing the course while simultaneously fulfilling the demanding roles of a Headteacher, OFSTED inspector, and LLE. With her extensive background, she brings together a wealth of practical knowledge on enhancing teaching and learning by fostering a deep understanding of metacognition and working memory.
Emily's ability to effectively communicate with her colleagues and provide both constructive challenge and support further reinforces her competence. Through her varied roles and experiences, she has developed a strong foundation for facilitating professional growth and promoting educational excellence. Emily's multifaceted expertise positions her as a valuable resource for educators seeking to enhance their instructional practices and drive positive outcomes for students
-
Helen SavageExpert Facilitator NPQEYL
Helen Savage
Helen has over 20 years of experience working across many different educational contexts including Primary schools, Children's Centres, Sure Starts, PVI and International language schools. Currently Helen is a nursery teacher and Early Years lead based at Endike Academy in Hull. She is also privileged to work Trust wide in the roles of SLE and EYFS Trust lead.
Helen is the Area Lead for Croydon and is involved in overseeing and delivering the EYFS Covid19 Recovery Programme for the DFE. Helen lives and breathes early years and is an enthusiastic advocate for play. Her mission is to ensure all practitioners have a strong understanding of child development, play, practice, and pedagogy. She is passionate about giving educators the best possible toolkits for their roles and enjoys developing high quality training that is accessible to all. She has a keen interest in international early years practice and has had experience of working overseas and of visiting a range of international early years settings.
-
Helena BrothwellExpert Facilitator NPQLBC
Helena Brothwell
Helena is the director of school improvement at DRET.
-
Janine KingExpert Facilitator NPQLBC
Janine King
Over a career in education spanning 30 years, Janine has had numerous leadership roles in Primary, Middle and Junior schools across the country. She firmly believes that children deserve to have the best education available, and that the first step is to create a positive ethos and culture that runs throughout the school – a clear and consistent expectation that is communicated and modelled by every staff member in every classroom, every lesson, every day. Janine has a proven track record of driving school improvement in schools in challenging circumstances. She currently leads Wold Academy in Hull and boasts an impressive track record of successfully driving school improvement initiatives. Recognizing the importance of a clear and consistent school culture, she understands that it serves as a foundation for fostering high-quality teaching and learning experiences. Janine's expertise lies in cultivating leaders and establishing a positive atmosphere within educational settings.
Janine's vast experience and proven leadership skills equip her with the necessary tools to support educators in their quest for professional growth, ultimately leading to enhanced teaching practices and positive outcomes for students.
-
Kevin McLaughlinExpert Facilitator NPQLTD
Kevin McLaughlin
Kevin is the Deputy Director of DRET Teaching School Hub and is strategic lead for the NPQ programmes. Before this role, he was a senior lecturer in primary ITT at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln. He has also been a primary teacher for over twenty years with leadership experience as a Deputy Headteacher and EYFS lead. He is interested in evidenced informed practice and is a keen reader of educational research.
-
Virginie BarreExpert Facilitator NPQLTD
Virginie Barre
Virginie's current role has led her to provide professional development opportunities for a wide range of professionals at different stages in their career and of different degrees of expertise. She also contributes to Day School days for trainee teachers. In addition, she engages and supports the subject community in engaging deeply and practically with the wider curriculum community, ensuring that research and best practices shape lesson design and students' experiences. She is DRET’s curriculum lead for MFL. Virginie is a Trust-wide subject lead at DRET. She has an MA, an MFL PGCE and an NPQH. For 25 years, Virginie has taught Modern Languages in a range of schools, held the role of Deputy Head in a large school in London and played a role in the school being awarded two Outstanding ratings by Ofsted, and Teaching School status.
-
Chris EvertonExpert Facilitator NPQLL
Chris Everton
Chris has been with the David Ross Education Trust for over 9 years currently in the position of Subject Leader of Physical Education at King Edward VI Academy. He is actively involved in curriculum creation of the Trust Wide Curriculum using his subject expertise to ensure that a high level of education is delivered to all students within the Trust.
-
Jodie Houston-LauExpert Facilitator NPQLL
Jodie Houston-Lau
Jodie Houlston-Lau has led the Communications faculty of Skegness Grammar School since 2016, leading subject teams both within and without her own specialism of English. As an original member of DRET’s Curriculum Development Group for English, she has made extensive contributions to the mapping, designing, and resourcing of the DRET English curriculum, with schemes and resources designed by Jodie taught across the trust. Jodie has significant experience of managing HR in education, including absence management, grievance procedures, and mediation. In 2022, Jodie was published as a 'TED-Ed Educator', after working with the respected conference organisation to develop a 'TED-Ed lesson' entitled 'How to write comedy'.
-
Melanie CapesExpert Facilitator NPQLL
Melanie Capes
Melanie, having wanted to be a teacher since starting Reception class herself, began her teaching career in Early Years. She developed a passion for early reading and phonics, passing on her love of books to her pupils at an early age. As her career developed, she took a keen interest in special educational needs and has supported local SENDCos as they have begun their own journeys. Melanie has been the Principal of a small school since 2017 and still teaches across the school. For the past 10 years, Melanie has also worked with the local university in Lincoln to train teachers through the PGCE and QTS routes.
-
Lyndsey DyerExpert Facilitator NPQLL
Lyndsey Dyer
Lyndsey is an English teacher, author and is keen to develop a passion for literacy with teachers and their students.