Introducing the Education Team at Sapientia

Mr Jonathan Taylor - CEO of Sapientia Education Trust (SET). Previously he served as Principal and Executive Principal of Wymondham College, delivering record breaking ‘A’ level and GCSE outcomes, significantly improving both attainment and progress measures at GCSE and ‘A’ level.  In both 2015 and 2016 Wymondham College under his leadership was the highest performing non selective state school in the eastern region.  In 2017 he led the College to an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted Social care inspection, with every area evaluated as ‘outstanding.’  During his career he has worked as Vice CEO of a high performing MAT in the East Midlands; Deputy Head of an ‘outstanding’ comprehensive school; Assistant Head at a high performing state boarding school and held pastoral and departmental leadership positions. He has also worked as an Ofsted Inspector. Jonathan was appointed a National Leader of Education (NLE) in 2016.  The Good Schools Guide described his career as ‘a swift progress, leaving outstanding Ofsted reports in his wake’ and his approach as ‘thoughtful and immensely hard working - yet he hasn’t disappeared in a cloud of management initiatives, preferring lots of contact with pupils and staff.’

Mrs Zoe Fisher - Deputy CEO.  Joined Sapientia Education Trust in June 2018, having been Deputy Head at Wymondham College, overseeing Safeguarding which was recognised as Outstanding during the Ofsted Boarding Inspection in 2017 and successfully lead the Sixth Form to achieve its best ever results. Before moving back to East Anglia, Zoe began her teaching career in London and quickly gained leadership roles as Head of Department, Assistant Head of Sixth Form and Director of Faculty with a strong record of raising standards. Zoe went on to be a senior leader in two schools which saw results improve under her leadership, at Key Stage 5. Zoe has also completed a Masters in Education and has always been passionate about instilling a limitless attitude to learning and achievement and collaborates enthusiastically across the SET schools to foster this mind set so that our pupils and staff believe they can all achieve.  

Mrs Emma Davies – Director of Education.  Joined Sapientia Education Trust in September 2020. Prior to this she was a Headteacher in a local Norfolk school, where she led the school to achieve an Outstanding judgement under the new Ofsted framework (November 2019). Much of the success of the school was rooted in strategic leadership that embedded consistent practices which was underpinned by a collective self-efficacy. Prior to this Emma has held many leadership roles including Deputy Headteacher, Safeguard Lead, Literacy Lead, Numeracy Lead and EYFS Lead. She is relentless in her determination to ensure all children receive a world class education and works with school by improving standards and cementing common goals that are consistent in approach, delivered through a Trust wide improvement strategy. 

Mr Andrew Robinson - Director of Secondary.  Joined Sapientia Education Trust in January 2023, having previously led significant school improvement as a Headteacher in Ipswich.  He has always worked in schools that support a high number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and is committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all children.  Starting as a science teacher in a challenging schol in London, he briefly pursued a career in finance before swiftly returning when he realised how much he had missed working in schools.  He went on to gain leadership roles as Head of Science, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher.  Andrew holds a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Oxford and is currently studying for an MBA from University College London.  His experience and commitment contribute to Sapientia Education Trust's mission of ensuring every child flourishes.

Ms Kirsty Bray – Director of Standards.  Joined the SET in September 2016 after three years as Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning at Wymondham College.  She has worked in a variety of schools and Sixth Form Colleges and has taught English, Sociology, Psychology and Government & Politics to A-Level.  Kirsty undertook a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and has a particular interest in Leadership Training and the quality assurance of Teaching and Learning. Both these key areas feature prominently in the Sapientia Teaching School Programme, which will be launched in September 2018.  In addition to bid-writing (including the Primary School and Teaching School) Kirsty’s role is to continue to work with senior leaders in the SET to deliver outstanding support, guidance and opportunities for development for all our teaching staff in the Primary and Secondary sectors.

Mr Rob Brewster – Director of Professional Learning came to the UEA to do his PGCE in Primary education seventeen years ago and, as with many people who come to Norfolk, ended up making it his home.  Since then he has worked in and with many different schools across the county, initially as an Advanced Skills Teacher in maths, and then as a CPD Lead and Acting Head of Sheringham Teaching School. In January this year, he was delighted to start work with Sapientia Education Trust. Rob is deeply committed to working with schools in the Trust, and more widely through the Sapientia Teaching School, to support them in their professional development in order to provide excellent learning environments in which children can flourish.

Mrs Michelle Unstead - Director of Inclusive Learning joined Sapientia Education Trust in January 2022. Michelle has a clear passion and drive for Special Educational Needs & Inclusion. Michelle is the Regional SEND Leader for the East of England and North-East London; delivering the Whole School SEND School's Workforce Contract as commissioned by the Department for Education.

An experienced Senior Leader & SENDCO, Michelle has a wealth of experience & success across both Secondary & Primary education including Teaching & Learning improvement, Curriculum Development, supporting our most vulnerable learners as well as Safeguarding & Pastoral provision.

Mrs Michelle Atkinson – Director of Safeguarding and Attendance joined Sapientia in March 2024.  She brings with her over 14 years experience in he voluntary sector in which she has been instrumental in supporting both adults and children affected by domestic abuse and has implemented effective prevention measures.  Building on her existing knowledge, Michelle transitioned to education a decade ago and has been a strong advocate for pastoral support in schools. Her extensive background in safeguarding, attendance and behaviour management has been instrumental in shaping policies and fostering a safer learning environment for all. Michelle is dedicated to setting pupils up for success beyond their academic years, instilling in them a sense of self-worth and belonging. She is passionate about building strong working relationships and is committed to establishing efficient systems to bring about impactful change across the trust. 

Introducing the Finance Team at Sapientia Education Trust

Steven Dewing - Chief Financial Officer has brought his wealth of knowledge and experience to the SET to oversee the finance operation of the Trust and drive change and greater efficiency in the way the Trust carries out its business.

Ian Shortland – Head of Finance looks after the Finance Team and is responsible for the management accounts preparation.

Lyndsey O'Brien - Management Accountant  responsible for the management accounts for all of the Primary Schools in the Trust.

Jane Scott – Purchase Ledger Assistant – assists with purchase ledger for all the Primary Schools in the Trust.

Beverley Stebbings – Purchase Ledger Assistant – looks after the purchase ledger for Central Set and assists with the purchase ledger for Wymondham College.

Imogen Howard – Purchase Ledger Assistant – looks after the purchase ledger for Wymondham College.

Julie Shorten – Purchase Ledger Assistant – looks after the invoicing and sales ledger for Wymondham College.  She looks after White House Farm Primary and Wymondham College Prep School. 
 
Susan Tooke – Finance Liaison Officer – assists with the invoicing and sales ledger of Wymondham College.
 
Apprentice – Molly Howes is supporting Tivetshall, Burston and Seething and Mundham.

Introducing the Governance & Estates Team at Sapientia Education Trust

Bob Moorhouse - Chief Operating Officer is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Finance, Estate Management, Health and Safety, Governance, HR and compliance across the Trust.  

Mat Harnan - Operations Director provides support to the Trust Central Team and to Trust schools across a range of projects and oversees Trust Contracts and Procurement.

Steve Peck - Estate Manager manages the Trust Forward Maintenance Register and all aspects of estate management across Trust schools.

Chris Lloyd - Trust Health and Safety Manager provides specialist Health and Safety advice and support to all Trust schools and carries out Health and Safety inspections and investigations across Trust schools.

Guy McCurley – Trust Health and Safety Officer provides specialist Health and Safety advice and support to all Trust schools and carries out Health and Safety inspections and investigations across Trust schools.

Wendy Maguire – Governance Professional. Wendy is the Clerk to the Board of Trustees and is able to give specialist governance advice to all Trust schools

Sarah Walker - Estates Administrator provides administrative support to the Estates Manager and oversees the Trust Estates Assets online platform.

Lee Cooper - Estates Operative carries out estate maintenance work across all Trust schools as directed by the Estates Manager.

Neil Boyes – Trust Health and Safety Officer provides specialist Health and Safety advice and support to all Trust schools and carries out Health and Safety inspections and investigations across Trust schools.

Introducing the HR Team at Sapientia Education Trust

Tina Smith - HR Director is responsible for the HR strategy and operations for the whole Trust

Jade O’Brien – Assistant HR Director leads the team of HR Officers and is responsible for the operational delivery of HR, compliance and recruitment support to all schools in the Trust.

Deborah McQuinn – HR Manager (Casework) is responsible for supporting Headteachers and line managers across the Trust on HR matters relating to change management and HR development projects. Deborah works part time on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Emma Breeze – HR Manager (Casework) is responsible for supporting Headteachers and line managers across the Trust on HR matters relating to change management and HR development projects. Emma works part time on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ruth Hassel – HR Manager (Casework) is responsible for supporting Headteachers and line managers across the Trust on HR matter relating to change management and HR development projects.  

Simon Jessup – HR and Payroll Systems Development Manager is responsible for the implementation and development of the iTrent HR and Payroll system across the Trust. Simon brings a wealth of experience in Payroll and iTrent Development gained from both the charity and education sector.

Kerry Folkes – Payroll Manager has been with the team since July 2019 and manages the pension and payroll function for all schools across the Trust.

Shelley Johnson – HR Advisor is responsible for supporting Headteachers and line managers across the Trust on HR matters.

Eilish Croughan – HR Officer is responsible for HR support to Sapientia Education Trust central team, Great Hockham Nursery and Primary School, Seething and Mundham Primary, Rockland St Mary Primary, Surlingham Primary School and Attleborough Academy.

Mandie Miller – HR Officer is responsible for providing HR support to Old Buckenham Primary School, Stradbroke High School, Fakenham Academy, Burston and Tivetshall Primary School and Ghost Hill Nursery and Infant School.

Beth Brabbins – HR Officer is responsible for HR support to Framingham Earl High School, White House Farm Primary School, Old Buckenham High School and Wymondham College Prep School.

Molly Todd – HR Advisor is responsible for HR support to City Academy Norwich alongside managing and supporting the Wymondham College HR Function.

Denise Gordon - HR Administrator is responsible for HR administration support for City Academy Norwich and Wymondham College.

Bethany Brabbins - HR Administrator is responsible for HR support to the Sapientia Education Trust HR team. 

Paula Fenn – Payroll & Pensions Administrator works within the Payroll team to provide administrative support to the department on pensions and payroll.

Amy Borley – Payroll & Pensions Administrator works within the Payroll team to provide administrative support to the department on payroll.

Jodie Canham - Payroll & Pensions Administrator works within the payroll team to provide administrative support to the department on payroll.

Introducing the IT Team at Sapientia Education Trust

Karl Coleman – Trust Director of IT is responsible for management and oversight of the Trust IT systems, infrastructure and service delivery.  Karl has over 30 years experience as an IT professional and prior to working in Education, was employed within the financial sector.

Steven Vandenbergh – Trust Senior Network Manager runs the Trust networks and also has oversight of cyber security, processes and practice.  Previously Steve has worked for Norfolk Police and in school roles before joining the Trust in this senior position.

Cameron Barlow – Trust Network Manager has extensive experience of developing and managing IT business services to State and Independent Schools.  He now has oversight of the IT services at the Trust.

Neil Hastings - Senior IT Technician is responsible for the IT needs of the Trust Primary Schools