Extended Leadership Team

Denise is a highly experienced and transformative school improvement leader with a 15-year track record of driving rapid, sustainable progress in challenging secondary school environments.

Holding both the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and Executive Leadership (NPQEL), her core expertise is in building leadership capacity across all levels.  Denise is a trained coach dedicated to developing the next generation of school leaders and ensuring the progress they deliver is deeply ingrained and sustainable. This is underpinned by her deep knowledge of effective school improvement strategy and excellence in teaching, learning and curriculum development.

Tony brings a wealth of experience in inclusive education and school improvement, having successfully led a range of schools in the West Midlands including the nationally acclaimed, Saint Augustine’s as well as, DfE initiatives across multiple trusts and national programmes as an NLE and Strategic Lead for a Teaching School Alliance and Behaviour Hub. His work is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and raising standards for all learners.

Recently appointed as a DfE RISE Adviser, he supports schools across the West Midlands and East of England, driving sector-led improvement, meaningful change and helping to elevate educational outcomes.

As our Outreach Lead, Tony spearheads efforts to strengthen national partnerships, support leadership development, and expand the reach of our Trust’s impact.

Michael is an independent educational consultant. Michael has over 30 years' experience working in education. He is a former Director of Education for the City of York and Lambeth local authorities. He has significant experience in education and children services across the country and has supported areas to achieve strong Ofsted outcomes.

Michael has led many education functions, including School Improvement, SEND and Inclusion, Equalities, Resources, Education Capital Development, Admissions, Exclusions, and a range of education support services.  In the southwest, he was the Strategic Leader for Cornwall Council, leading SEND and Inclusion and equalities services, and has worked in a similar range of services in Somerset and Bristol.

Reach South has worked with Michael for a number of years for project and advisory work, including independent investigations and reviews where required.

Nicola is an experienced Education Senior Leader, dedicated to transforming pupil achievement through evidence-based practice. She holds various postgraduate qualifications in leadership and SEND, including the NPQH and NA SENCo. 

With a successful career spanning mainstream, resourced, and specialist provisions, Nicola drives sustainable school improvement by coaching and developing leadership teams at every level. Her core commitment is simple: empowering all staff to deliver a high-quality, child-centred education, where every pupil can realise their potential and thrive, both in school and beyond.

Committed to raising standards system-wide, Nicola leads impactful Inclusion and SEND outreach programmes. She also facilitates the NPQ Senior Leader (SL) & SEN programme and provides specialist SEND content for the National College.

Matt is Regional Director and Executive Headteacher at Salisbury Academy for Inspirational Learning (SAIL).

Tara leads the operations function within our Trust.

Jennifer is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) and has 30 years of accounting experience. Jennifer was a Finance Analyst for 15 years within The National Trust, responsible for budgets and reporting at property level and regional consolidation of budgets, accounts and visitor information for Devon and Cornwall.

During her four years with Reach South, Jennifer has developed a team that is focused on giving first-class support, is solutions focused, and ensures schools use their funding effectively for the benefit of pupils and staff. She is seen by colleagues as very approachable and works hard to facilitate sound solutions to problems and challenges. Personal development of the finance team is a high priority and, as part of this, formal and informal training is offered to ensure the team feels valued and is given the opportunity to grow. 

Nick is an experienced IT Professional with over 20 years of experience across both the education and enterprise IT sectors.  He is an experienced enterprise architect with extensive experience in digital transformation, platform consolidation and usage and deployment of AI technologies such as Machine Learning (ML) and Large Language Models (LLMs).

With a passion for digital inclusion, Nick brings a desire for building effective, secure and flexible infrastructure and a high performing IT services team, providing access to the latest technologies for our staff and pupils to enhance and drive performance and efficiency.

Sharna leads the safeguarding function within our Trust.

Tracey leads the people function within our Trust.

Cate leads the professional development function within our Trust.

As a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and with over 15 years of procurement and contract management experience, Steven has built a strong reputation for delivering strategic, compliant, and value-driven procurement solutions in complex public sector environments.

He brings deep expertise in public procurement regulations, supplier engagement, and cost optimisation to the education sector. Known for fostering collaborative relationships and driving continuous improvement, he is committed to supporting operational excellence and ensuring procurement delivers tangible benefits to staff, students, and the wider community.