The Board

as Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and chair of governors, I have led both secondary and primary schools out of special measures to achieve Ofsted outstanding and good grades. I am motivated by improving ‘cultures’ and providing ‘opportunities’ for all children to succeed, not just boosting examination outcomes.

I am proud to have been designated a National Leader of Education, as well as a trained and active lead Ofsted inspector at primary and secondary level, and enjoy working with others. As a level 7 executive coach and mentor with the Institute of Leadership and Management, I work closely with all who seek to make things better for children and staff in schools. I am a trustee of School Leadership Services, which offers support and challenge to heads and leaders across the south west.

Education is a force for change; I am passionate about the power of education for all and have many years’ experience as a governor and trustee.

Teachers and leaders should work together across educational settings for the good of all children; only by leading with humility will we truly help the children and young people we serve.

BA Hons English and American Literature, PGCE, PGDip, MA, NPQH, ILM Level 7

He moved around the country but returned to the area with his last role being the director in charge of Business Banking for the South West.

Throughout his working life, Barry has always been keen to get involved with the local community, been heavily involved with Chambers of commerce, Business improvement districts and school governorship.

He is married and has two grown up children – both attended Coombeshead, he has been a governor in various forms since children at Primary school, nearly 20 years in total.

with a focus on improving outcomes for children and young people. Her more recent roles have been at the Department for Education, developing improvement and intervention policy and leading the team responsible for working with all south west local authorities to drive up the performance of children’s social care and SEND services.

Kellie was previously involved in the governance at Dartmouth Academy since 2015. Initially as the safeguarding lead for the interim advisory committee whilst the school was in special measures, and then as the Chair of Governors 2017 – 2021. Both of her children have attended ESW schools.

He has been involved in Secondary education for a number of years both as a parent governor and also as a Director of TAST before the merger.

He is a Partner at EY, where he leads major improvement programmes across public and private sector. He believes in an inclusive workplace which welcomes talent from all backgrounds, vocations and academic achievement. To that end he believes the academy system should enable its students to develop both their skills and their attributes against a backdrop of high-expectations and encouragement.

working as a research analyst for JP Morgan in London, subsequently working as a portfolio manager for Paris-based, institutional asset manager, Edmond de Rothschild, and latterly as an analyst and portfolio manager for alternative investment firm, Cheyne Capital Management.  Her core competency is in analysing the financial health of companies and institutions across all sectors and regions.   In addition to her professional responsibilities, Annelie sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at Cheyne, seeking to address the gender bias in financial services and to advocate for disadvantaged children from rural and provincial backgrounds.

Annelie grew up and was educated in the South Hams.  She is married with three children and lives in Kingsbridge.

early and we moved permanently to a small farm near East Allington, having enjoyed holiday homes in Salcombe and Thurlestone for the previous 25 years.
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I was a Governor at Kingsbridge Community College for 10 years, since my daughter was in Year 8, and it provided me with an intellectual diversion from cutting grass, hedges and repairing fences. I am a founding member of Education South West and am keen to share our successful experience more widely. We have some huge privileges living here in the South Hams but we also face challenges with ensuring our young people have the opportunity to compete on the world stage. I hope my experience of managing businesses around the UK and overseas can contribute to meeting this challenge.

He is Executive Director at Group Ltd – providing a secure online solution for voluntary organisations, local authorities and many other membership entities to deliver on the ground clubs and services UK wide.
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Barrie has worked in a range of consultancy environments with a focus on services for young people and the disabled community as well as being involved in a wide range of other voluntary projects.  His two boys have attended several of the Trust schools – with one still in Secondary.

contracts with the South West, encompassing ITT, CPD and School Improvement.  Jenny founded Teach First in the region and has successfully grown the charity’s footprint, their profile and the remit of their work.  Prior to joining Teach First, Jenny held two senior leadership roles, one as Director of 14-19 at The City Academy, Hackney and one as Assistant Head at Highbury Grove, Islington where Jenny initially started her career as a Teach First ambassador in 2003.  Both schools served high pupil premium catchments and both were judged outstanding by Ofsted during this time.  Jenny also worked with Challenge Partners and the London Leadership Strategy as an education consultant, during this time.

and is currently Chair of a local governing body covering two primary schools in Cornwall. Adrian is also Chair of Devon Association of Governance, and sits on Devon Education Forum and the Schools Finance Group.

Adrian is currently a Facility Director for the Science and Technology Facilities Council with responsibility for a large computing system for use in environmental science research. Prior to this, Adrian spent 24 years working at the Met Office in scientific and technical roles, including leading teams of scientists and software engineers. He is a Chartered Marine Scientist, and a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.

Adrian has two daughters who both attend ESW schools, one in primary school and one in secondary school.