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
-
Tanya GrundyECT Expert Facilitator
Tanya Grundy
Tanya Grundy is a dynamic education professional with over 20 years of leadership experience as a Head of Faculty and Lead Practitioner. A Drama and Dance specialist across Key Stages 3 to 5, she has a strong track record of high attainment and impact across subjects and age ranges. She spent six years contributing to teacher training on the English PGCE at Nottingham Trent University, delivering Drama and Shakespeare modules. Now Lead Practitioner at Charnwood College, Tanya drives whole-school strategies focused on Teaching and Learning, Literacy, and Oracy to improve outcomes and pedagogy. Tanya holds a Master's in Expert Teaching, with research focused on applying cognitive science to curriculum design and classroom practice. She is currently completing the NPQH.
-
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
, -
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.
-
Ben LathamECT Expert Facilitator
Ben Latham
Ben is currently Assistant Principal at Cleethorpes Academy. Ben has served as a Head of English in both the state and private sectors. He is a GCSE Literature marker for Eduqas and has previously presented at their national ‘Teach Meets'. Recently, Ben has worked with a Google and Microsoft partner company advising a portfolio of Primary, Secondary and Special schools on digital strategy, transformation and classroom practice. His academic areas of interest are disciplinary literacy, dialogic teaching and digital pedagogy.
-
Oli SaundersECT Expert Facilitator
Oli Saunders
Oliver Saunders is the Director of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) at the David Ross Education Trust and, above all, a passionate History teacher. With leadership experience across a range of secondary schools in the East Midlands, Oliver brings a wealth of practical insight to support Early Career Teachers. He holds a Masters Degree in Expert Teaching and the National Award for SEN Co-ordination, reflecting his commitment to inclusive, evidence-informed practice and professional growth.
-
Megan MorrisECT Expert Facilitator
Megan Morris
Megan has led the significant improvement of Malcolm Arnold Academy for the last 5 years, a large secondary academy in the Midlands and also strategically supports Thomas Middlecott Academy, a smaller, rural academy in Lincolnshire. Megan leads with a continued, dedicated focus on placing the teacher as the expert in the classroom and having exceptionally high standards of colleagues and students. 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.
Expert Facilitators (National Institute of Teaching NPQ programmes)
NPQ Expert Facilitators (ID 1139)
-
Janine KingExpert Facilitator NPQSL OCT24
Janine King
With over 30 years' experience in primary and middle schools across the country, Janine is currently the principal of Pilgrim Academy in Immingham. She has been a principal and executive principal since 2012, working across several schools in North East Lincolnshire and Hull. She has a proven track record of school improvement, leading and supporting schools in challenging circumstances to achieve good outcomes.
-
Stuart RutterExpert Facilitator NPQSENCO OCT24
Stuart Rutter
Stuart Rutter joined DRET in September 2022 and brings a wide range of experience from alternative provision, SEND and mainstream settings. As Trust Wide Lead for SEND (Secondary) Stuart supports all of the SEND teams to ensure all students are accessing a high quality curriculum, in which they can thrive and achieve alongside their peers.
Stuart qualified as a teacher in 2004 and has completed his Masters in Education, NPQEL and NASENCO. Previously Stuart was the Executive Principal for Catch22 Independent Schools, following time as the UK Manager of an education charity that supported girls into education in Uganda.
-
Sarah DurbinExpert Facilitator NPQSENCO OCT24 & NOV25
Sarah Durbin
Sarah is the principal at Kings Heath Primary after having been the interim principal since September 2023. For many years, as a teacher and the SENDCo, Sarah played an instrumental role alongside Kings Heath colleagues in transforming the school from ‘inadequate' to its current strong position at the school's most recent inspection.
-
Dave Flowitt,Expert Facilitator NPQSENCO APR25
Dave Flowitt,
Dave Flowitt is an experienced educator with a career spanning over two decades in leadership roles within educational institutions. Currently serving as the Executive Principal at Coritani Academy in Scunthorpe, England, Director of Inclusion in the Isle Education Trust and Virtual Headteacher for North Lincolnshire. Prior to this, he held the position of Principal at the same academy and served as Vice Principal within the ISLE Education Trust. Dave's journey includes significant tenures as an Executive Headteacher of a Secondary School and Studio, showcasing his commitment to educational excellence and student growth. Dave has worked as a SENCO in two schools and holds the NASENCO qualification as well as a Master's degree in Education from the University of Hull, further solidifying his expertise in the field
-
Debbie DavisCoach NPQSENCO APR25
Debbie Davis
Debbie is a self-employed Consultant working with multiple providers as a Coach, Facilitator, Mentor, Course Writer, Podcaster, Assessor, and Trainer. She coaches on the Early Career Headship Offer and serves as a Performance Coach for NPQSL and NPQSENDCO. She is also a qualified Coach for Middle Leaders and the Masters in Teaching and Learning, with over 15 years of experience in both Primary and Secondary settings. Her coaching is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and growth. She creates a safe, collaborative space where clients explore goals and challenges. Using a strengths-based, holistic approach, she helps individuals align actions with values. She is committed to ongoing learning, ethical practice, and supporting clients in achieving balance, fulfilment, and sustainable personal and professional growth.
-
Sarah JorgensenCoach NPQSENCO APR25
Sarah Jorgensen
Sarah is the Assistant Principal at Barnes Wallis Academy. She began her career in 2003 following BSc Biology and PGCE. She spent 14 years in mainstream secondary schools, enjoying the roles of Head of Science and SENDCo before moving to Alternative Provision. Initially she joined as SENDCo working across Lincolnshire, bridging the gap between mainstream and AP. As Head of School and later Executive Vice Principal, she was able to play a significant role in raising standards in Alternative Provision across the county.
Sarah holds the SENDCo award, CPT3A, MEd-SEND and the NPQH.
-
Megan MorrisExpert Facilitator NPQLTD APR25 & NPQH OCT24 & NOV25
Megan Morris
-
Matthew SmithExpert Facilitator NPQLT APR25
Matthew Smith
Matt started his teaching journey in January 2009 as an unqualified teacher at a medium sized comprehensive secondary school in a deprived area. He stayed at that school for 6 years, gaining his teaching qualification and becoming second in science. In 2015 he moved to his second school, another deprived comprehensive as a teacher of science. After 3 years, he became head of science and led the department to their best ever results. In 2021 he enrolled on the NPQLTD and came to the realisation that he wanted a greater impact across the whole staff body so joined his current school in 2022. He currently leads teaching and learning across the school, as well as being ECT and ITT coordinator, allowing him to apply the skills he gained through the NPQ to impact the careers of teachers and the outcomes of students. He was delighted to offer his support in facilitating the NPQLT previously and is excited to be able to facilitate a new cohort and continue helping the development of teaching staff in the area.
-
Phil AllenExpert Facilitator NPQSL NOV25
Phil Allen
Philip began his career as an NQT at Pannal Primary School in Harrogate in 1997, working as a KS2 teacher. He led the introduction of computers into the school and delivered computer training to teachers on behalf of the local authority.
In 2006, he took up the post of Assistant Headteacher at Skegness Junior School, where he led improvements in the curriculum and standards, as well as serving as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
In his current role as Deputy Headteacher at Lisle Marsden CE Primary Academy, he has led on assessment, curriculum development, and the professional development of teachers and middle leaders. He is currently delivering ‘Instructional Coaching' to colleagues and coordinating the development of other leaders. In addition, he is participating in the Train the Trainer programme for adaptive teaching.
Throughout the last 11 years at Lisle Marsden, Philip has facilitated several training opportunities offered by teaching schools, including the ‘Outstanding Teacher Programme' and, more recently, NPQSL.
-
Mike TrussellExpert Facilitator NPQSL NOV25
Mike 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.
-
Lyndsey DyerExpert Facilitator NPQLT NOV25
Lyndsey Dyer
Lyndsey is an experienced English teacher with a strong background in senior and middle leadership, having served as Head of Department, Strategy Leader, Literacy Lead, and Associate Assistant Principal. Lyndsey currently delivers teacher training for a national education charity and has extensive experience designing and facilitating professional development at both school and regional level, including delivery at regional conferences.
Lyndsey is currently undertaking the NPQSEND and has developed a strong professional interest in SEND and inclusive practice, with a focus on improving outcomes for all learners. Lyndsey has also delivered the NPQLL and brings a strategic, evidence-informed approach to leadership, literacy, and teacher development.