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Meet our central team

The central team plays an indispensable role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Trust as a whole, and their unwavering dedication is truly commendable. Our central team's purpose is to provide guidance, support and services in key areas such as school improvement, human resources, finance, estate management and information communications technology (ICT).

Their efforts extend across the entirety of the Trust, and their hard work is essential to providing support to the network of twelve member schools. Without the team’s tireless contributions, we would be unable to fulfill our mission of delivering high-quality education to our students.

We also acknowledge and appreciate the crucial role all staff throughout our Trust play in the success of our students and of our organisation.

Leadership

Paul Griffiths
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the successful operation of the Trust, taking account of the primary objective of providing the best opportunities for all pupils, whatever their background, to fulfil their potential together with continuing school improvement for all the schools within the Trust. They line manage the central team and develop policy and practice throughout, supporting effective services and championing governance. They act as the Accounting Officer.

Louise Coates
Deputy CEO

The Deputy CEO works with the CEO, in the line management of schools, and the taking of responsibility for the development and implementation of strands of the school improvement agenda, policies, and practices of the Trust. They work with the Trust School Improvement Advisor and Consultant Headteacher to implement recommendations to support the move towards outstanding. They deputise for the CEO in their absence.

Sharon Jenner
Assistant CEO

Direct School Support

Andrew Hook
Trust School Improvement Advisor

The Trust School Improvement Advisor work with schools to evaluate practice and procedures and support school improvement towards outstanding. They work as part of the school improvement team, along with the Deputy CEO. They are accountable directly to the CEO and also play a role in the policy and practice development within the Trust.

Mary Brice
Family Welfare Manager

It is the Family Welfare Manager's responsibility to ensure that pupils attend school regularly and on time.  The approach is always to support families to overcome any barrier to school attendance ensuring that our young people achieve the best outcomes for their futures. They work alongside a strong caring team of EWOs and Admin staff supporting our families across our family of schools.

Kelly Jones
Trust Strategic Lead for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

The Trust Strategic Lead for SEND works collaboratively with our families to inspire young people with SEND, work with our dedicated and passionate teams in educational settings, and our support external organisations. This role provides aspiration to strategic innovative leadership on a collaborative approach to the provision of SEND across our Trust. The Trust Strategic Lead for SEND promotes quality and aspirational standards of outcomes for our young people with SEND, through the efficient shared use of resources, CPD and partnerships to ensure our young people, families, staff and stakeholders are confident of the provision of SEND, in line with the Osborne Trust Values. 

Aimee Bray
Strategic Lead

The Trust Strategic Lead works with schools across all phases to support, develop and evaluate school improvement relating to the quality of education. They lead on assessment as well as provision for disadvantaged pupils across the Trust. As part of the central team, they lead on risk management as well as supporting the development of policy and practice. They work as part of the school improvement team and are accountable to the Deputy CEO. 

Administration

Human Resources

Louise Guy
Director of Human Resources

The Director of Human Resources (HR) is responsible for overseeing HR systems, handling employee relations, ensuring compliance with regulations and policies, assessing staffing needs, recruitment, and supporting the design of training programmes.

Finance

Paula Lomas
Chief Finance Officer

The Chief Finance Officers (CFO) ensure that the Trustees comply with their obligations and responsibilities as set out by the ESFA in the latest version of the Academy Trust Handbook. They advise and support the CEO as the Trust Accounting Officer, ensuring financial procedures are compliant with the Academy Trust Handbook and Companies House requirements. They operate under appropriate schemes of delegation which follow best practice in all aspects of financial governance. They work with schools to ensure probity in planning and spend.

Operations

Janet Clark
Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer Finance Officers (COO) is responsible for managing the Trust's estate. They work closely with schools to deliver building related projects and ensuring compliance with Health & Safety Regulations. They work in partnership with the Department for Education and the Local Authority on property related matters. They are a member of the Trust Strategic Team working with senior leaders on the policy and  practice development within the Trust.

Procurement

Dave Smith
Director of Procurement and Trust-wide projects

The Director of Procurement and Trust-wide Projects is responsible for the Trust's Procurement Strategy supporting effective procurement of services and equipment for schools.  Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), they provide strategic leadership and direction for governance, GDPR and AI across the trust. 

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Jeff Howson
IT Consultant

Providing support and advice to the Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust


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