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THE CLT CENTRAL  TEAM

Our Central Services Team provides the staff and senior leaders within our schools with an invaluable range of specialist expertise and high-quality challenge and support.

Adrian Rogers - Chief Executive Officer

Experience

Adrian has been CEO of the Chiltern Learning Trust since July 2015. Prior to that, he was Headteacher for thirteen years at the three times outstanding Robert Bloomfield Academy and Executive Principal in a Multi Academy Trust. Since 2005, Adrian has also been an Executive Head and a National Leader of Education. Adrian also established and led the innovative Central Beds Teaching School that grew to 138 school partners.

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

Teresa Kelly - Chief Finance and Compliance Officer

Experience

Teresa has led and managed the operational, compliance, and governance functions in Denbigh High School for the last 15 years and she has been instrumental in taking the school through academy conversion, sponsoring a local primary school and setting up the Chiltern Learning Trust, which included the planning and creation of an effective governance structure for the MAT.

Teresa has been the company secretary for the Trust since 2013, ensuring the governing reporting structure is effective and timely to meet statutory legislation.

During this time, the Trust has increased its teaching excellence, student numbers, financial strength, value for money and employee relations.

Teresa also has strong links with local businesses, which gives her an insight into educational business management from a different perspective.

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

Lorraine Hughes - Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Education Officer

Experience

Lorraine was previously a Deputy Headteacher for 8 years where she was instrumental in transforming school standards. She has gained significant experience through a range of leadership roles and from teaching for twenty years across different Luton and Hertfordshire schools.

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Sufian Sadiq - Chief Talent & Transformation Officer

Experience

Sufian is a talented teacher with extensive management experience within the further education sector. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors and holds various roles with awarding bodies, specialising in quality assurance, examination and assessment. He is experienced in curriculum planning and design, standards and training.

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Julian Axford - Director of School Improvement & RISE Advisor

Experience

Julian has been teaching for 34 years, and most recently was Principal of the successful Robert Bloomfield Academy, and BEST Teaching School. He has helped deliver a number of its leadership courses over the last few years and has carried out support work with schools focusing on curriculum and assessment.

Strengths

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Amanda Jeffreys - Executive Assistant to CEO

Experience

With 20 years of experience in the education sector, Amanda dedicated her career to enhancing the student services department in a sixth-form setting, successfully managing various teams, including; student recruitment, bursary, reception, and customer service. Additionally, expertise lies in the coordination and planning of events. Amanda now serves as the Executive Assistant to the CEO, utilising her extensive experience to support the CEO.

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Operations & Marketing

Emma Gough - Operations Manager 

Experience

Emma is an experienced team manager specialising in service delivery, contract and project management; with a strong emphasis on customer service.  

Working in education for over 11 years Emma has been responsible for facilities, operations, ICT and procurement at both school and Trust level. In industry Emma worked as an Executive Assistant at Board level supporting complex project delivery. 

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Catherine Giles - Operations Coordinator 

Experience

Catherine joined the Chiltern Learning Trust in September 2019. Previously she worked in a finance and admin role for Total UK Ltd for 14 years.

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Gemma Jefcoate - Operations Coordinator 

Experience

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Emily Stokes - Marketing and Communications Officer

Experience

Emily is a Business Management Graduate with previous experience working as an Operations Administrator in the Logistics sector. Emily has studied marketing, communications, and strategy modules at university, contributing to her knowledge and interest in this area. Joining CLT in 2025 as Marketing and Communications Officer, Emily now leads on the planning and execution of strategic marketing campaigns, manages the Trust website and social media platforms, and distributes communications. 

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

Grace Donkin - Design and Marketing Assistant

Experience

Grace holds a Master's degree in Classical Reception from King's College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge. Alongside her studies, she worked as a volunteer writer for Junior Rowing News, creating and publishing digital content using WordPress and Canva. She also gained marketing and event experience through her roles at Newnham College Boat club, where she designed promotional materials, managed website and social media updates, and supported large-scale events and fundraising initiatives. Grace has extensive experience working in schools and with young people, including tutoring and supporting school administration.

Strengths

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Maddie Axford - Design and Marketing Assistant

Experience

Maddie graduated from the University of Nottingham with a 2:1 in International Media and Communication Studies, which gave her a great foundation in social media and marketing on a global scale. Alongside her studies, Maddie has competed as a GB and England international hockey player, an experience that developed discipline and resilience while performing under pressure. Now, Maddie is a Design and Marketing Assistant at Chiltern Learning Trust, where she designs marketing materials and guides schools through their own promotional work. Maddie is at her best in fast-paced environments, using her organisation and time-management to keep projects on track and deliver high-quality results under pressure.

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

Finance & Human Resources

Jean Leech - Finance Manager

Experience

Jean is a qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and joined Denbigh High School as Finance and HR Manager in June 2008. Since this time Jean has overseen the financial management of Denbigh High School through its various times of change including its soft federation status with Challney High School for Boys, Academisation in November 2010, an introduction of the teaching school in 2011 and becoming a Multi Academy Trust in July 2013.

Jean has extensive experience in management accounts and consolidation of year-end statutory accounts as well as the changes and challenges of recruitment within schools and the requirements to look more creatively at staffing.

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Areas of responsibility

Gemma Funge - Governance & Central Team Admin Manager

Experience

Gemma has over 20 years retail and FMCG marketing experience, most recently as a Print Campaign Manager; with a strong focus on project management and delivery. 

For the past three years Gemma has worked within the education sector. In-line with her personal development and passion to promote and support all aspects of education, Gemma embarked on a career as an Exams Officer in a Sixth Form setting before joining the Trust as a Governance professional in February 2023.

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Caroline Hatcher - Senior Finance Officer

Experience

Caroline previously has 14 years of experience working in retail within HR, Finance and Customer Service management. She joined Denbigh High School as a Finance Officer in November 2015 and took on work assisting other schools in the Trust, becoming a member of the Central finance team in 2017.

Strengths

Area of responsibility

Liane Blades - Senior Finance Officer

Experience

Liane trained and worked in Dentistry for 30 years, of which the last 10 years were as an Accounts assistant for a large dental group. Liane joined the Chiltern Learning Trust in  2021 as Senior Finance Officer to the Chiltern Teaching School Hub.

Strengths

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Emma Grisaffi - Finance Officer

Experience

 Emma has over 20 years of experience in finance, working mainly in the private sector. She joined the Central Team as a Finance Officer in 2019.

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Laura Townsend - HR Manager

Experience

Laura has worked within the HR sector since 2007 and has a post graduate diploma in Human Resources Management. She has spent over 10 working within the education sector (previously working within a local authority) providing HR support and advice to Headteachers; Governors as well as Multi Academy Trusts on a wide range of complex HR matters. She has extensive knowledge and experience in employee relations particularly sickness absence management and also staff wellbeing.

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Rachael Rochester - Senior HR Officer

Experience

Rachael has spent most of her working years carrying out various administration roles coming to the Trust from a local nursery school.

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Sofia Quarta - Senior HR Officer

Experience

Sofia has been working in education for 6 years. Starting as an Administrator in the school office at Kempston Academy, Sofia learnt valuable skills that led to her completing CIPD L5 in People Management in 2023 and joining the Trust as a Senior HR Officer.

Strengths

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Standards & School Improvement

Helen Masters - Director of SEND & Safeguarding

Experience

Helen has been a SENCo for 25 years and was a Senior Leader in secondary education, where she was responsible for Looked After Children, In Year Fair Access Protocol, Alternative Provisions and mental health and well-being, as well as being Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

Helen has been working in the central team for 4 years, where she has been responsible for ensuring compliance and raising standards in SEND, as well as Safeguarding and Inclusion more widely in our schools.

She has teaching experience in both middle and secondary school with her specialism in music, but has experience of teaching a variety of subjects from Key Stage 2 to 4.

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Nadine Cotton - Director of Secondary Standards and QoE

Experience

Nadine was a secondary school Assistant Headteacher and is a leading figure on Teaching and Learning and pedagogy. Nadine is our Deputy Director for Teaching and Learning and works across our Trust, developing practice and supporting leaders.

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Areas of responsibility

Nicola Covington - Director of Primary Standards & QoE

Experience

Nicola has been in primary education for 29 years, including as a headteacher and senior leader in a number of schools across Herts, Luton and Central Beds. She is a strong believer in the power of outstanding education to transform lives and has provided extensive support for schools focusing on school improvement, curriculum development, maths and assessment.

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

  • Maintaining high standards across the primary and middle schools in the Trust
  • Supporting schools to maximise progress and secure excellent outcomes

Neil Mills - School Improvement Lead (Behaviour and Attendance)

Experience

Neil taught in an outstanding middle school and received several internal promotions and was the Director of Pastoral Care. Neil has a degree in German and is primary trained, with secondary teaching experience. He is our Deputy Director and oversees our pastoral systems, our character development and enrichment across the Trust.

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Flora Burt - School Improvement Lead (Pedagogy & Literacy)

Experience

Flora has taught at an outstanding middle school for several years, holding the role of Senior Assistant Principal, taking the lead on curriculum, teacher training and CPD. Prior to this, Flora held the position of Head of Department for a number of years. In addition to this, Flora was the subject course lead for the PGCE Secondary history lead and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. 

Strengths

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Zoe Kerr - School Improvement (Primary Literacy)

Experience

Since 2013, Zoe has been a primary school teacher and developed expertise in the leading of reading and writing across the primary phase. Since 2019, Zoe has supported English leaders and teachers across our primary schools to develop curriculum, leadership and teaching and learninf with the overall aim of raisinf standards in reading and writing. Zoe is passionate about early reading and writing and developing strong subject knowledge.

Strengths

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Angela Tattersall - Data Manager

Experience

Angela has worked for the Chiltern Learning Trust since 2019.  Previously, she was a Teacher of Mathematics in an outstanding middle school and had a management role as Senior Teacher.  She has a degree in Mathematics and also has previous work experience of administration, data entry and bookkeeping.

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

Angela works with the Director of Education, The Central Team and other school leaders across the Trust to develop systems which: provide data, to bring about school improvement; support the schools operationally; and ensure compliance. Her responsibilities include:

Chiltern Teaching School Hub

Clare McGivern - Director of ITT

Experience

Prior to joining us, Clare held a variety of roles in a four times outstanding secondary school. Clare was a Deputy Head, lead on the set-up of one of the first 50 teaching schools and also has run an excellent SCITT. Clare, works across our Teaching School Hub and our initial teacher training (CTG) as Delivery Lead.

Strengths

Areas of responsibility

Helen Russell - Director of CTSH 

Experience

Helen is the Director of Chiltern Teaching School Hub and oversees all elements of the 'Golden Thread' to ensure that all have access to high quality professional development at every level of the teaching profession.

Prior to this, Helen was a long-standing assistant headteacher for teaching and learning and has extensive eperience working in ITT snd ECT provision too. Helen also spent many years as an English Advisor for HFL Education and continues to work alongside with team as secondary ECT advisor for Hertfordshire.

Helen is experienced in curriculum planning and design, quality assurance, and training at all levels.

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Areas of responsibility

Nicola Hickton - Director of CTS

Experience

Nicola is the Director of Chiltern Teaching School and she currently oversees projects, bids, deployments, CPD, RISE, the Behaviour and Attendance Hub, NPQs and apprenticeships.

Prior to this she was Director of Standards for English across Chiltern Learning Trust, supporting, leading and developing English provision from curriculum design to effective intervention.

As a former Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning, Nicola led in teaching pedagogy, classroom practice, assessment, feedback and communication. Nicola’s aim is to ensure that educators at all levels have the support needed to secure outstanding student outcomes for all.

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Adam Kohlbeck - Director of Teacher Quality

Experience

Adam Kohlbeck is the Director of Teacher Quality at Chiltern Learning Trust. Adam has spent 16 years teaching and leading in schools across London and has a proven track record of delivering outstanding improvements in teaching through developing teacher decision making. He holds Chartered Teacher status from the Chartered College of Teaching, where he is also a fellow.

Adam’s other qualifications include a Master’s Degree in
educational leadership and several internationally recognised coaching qualifications as well as currently studying for a PhD.

Adam is also a Chartered College council member, sits on the Teaching Commission and was a finalist in the 2025 National Teacher of the Year
awards.

Away from his main role, Adam has authored two education books with more to come in 2026. He also founded the award-winning education community, EduPulse in 2023 and runs both the EduPulse and Coaching Unpacked podcasts.

Strengths

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Amjad Ali - CPD & Inclusion Lead

Experience

Amjad has wored in education for 19 years. He is a nationally recognised trainer with extensive experience of delivery across primary, secondary, and specialist settings. He is the author of A Little Guide for Teachers: SENd in Schools, and co-founder of The BAMEed Network.

He specialises in inclusive leadership, adaptive teaching, curriculum coherence and high impact professional development. His work bridges research and practice, helping leaders move from policy to implementation with clarity and purpose.

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Tom Bellwood - Behaviour & Attendance Regional Lead

Experience

Prior to his current role, Tom was a SLE for Behaviour & Attendance. He has held previous roles of Assistant Headteacher,  Department Head & Head of Year/House. He is also currently a Behaviour School Partnership Lead for The Department of Education.

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Chris Tavener - Behaviour & Attendance Lead 

Experience

Chris is a dynamic leader who has a successful track record in delivering change as a primary Headteacher with over 14 years' experience and has led a large team of 140 dedicated staff that delivered high quality education to an ever expanding cohort of pupils and their families. Chris now supports schools in improving their attendance and behaviour processes, from working with schools individually to presenting at different conferences across the country. He has a passion for the wider personal development of all students, being deeply invested in an education system that delivers the best education experience for all.

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Christian Turton - Ed Tech Lead

Experience

Christian Turton brings over 25 years of experience in education and more than 20 years leading EdTech strategy, implementation, and policy at a national and international level. His career spans classroom teaching, local authority digital strategy, and senior leadership roles across school networks. He served as Regional Computing Hub Lead for the National Centre for Computing Education and as Co-Director of the London Connected Learning Centre, where he led on the development of an EdTech course for the Queen Rania Teacher Academy, reaching over 18,000 teachers across the Middle East. Most recently, Christian was appointed project lead for the Department for Education's highly regarded AI in Education training materials, work recognised with an invitation to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Christian is a nationally recognised voice in educational technology and AI, combining deep practical expertise with strategic vision. He is a skilled keynote speaker — presenting at events including Wellington EdFest and BETT and has a strong track record of translating complex policy and emerging technology into accessible, impactful guidance for educators. His ability to bridge pedagogy and strategy ensures that technology implementation drives meaningful improvements in outcomes for students and staff. He holds a range of professional qualifications including NPQH, Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Educator and 360safe Online Safety Mark Assessor.

As EdTech Lead at Chiltern Learning Trust, Christian leads digital and AI strategy across 21 schools from Early Years through to Sixth Form. His responsibilities include overseeing the Trust's 1:1 device programme, supporting online safety, and managing the Trust's ongoing engagement with the Department for Education on AI guidance and training materials. 

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James Murphy - Secondary Herts ITT Lead

Experience

James has over 20 years of experience teaching and leading in schools. Prior to joining us, James held a variety of leadership roles including: SCITT Director, Assistant Headteacher (Teaching and Learning), Professional Tutor, and Head of Languages.

Strengths

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Kerry Ward - Primary Lead CTG

Experience

Kerry has worked within the education sector for over ten years, most recently as Interim Head of School. She is a qualified SENCo and has led on pupil premium, EAL and LAC; improving the outcomes for all disadvantaged learners. She has a wealth of experience supporting the teaching and learning across key stage 2 and Early Career Teachers. She is also an SLE for PSHE and RSE.

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Jenny Langford - Primary Lead BSTP 

Experience

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Yamina Bibi - Project Specialist 

Experience

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Katy Norsworthy - AB Advisor

Experience

Katy is the Appropriate Body Lead for the Chiltern Teaching school hub who leads a team of advisors to support shools and Early career teachers (ECTs) across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and overseas. With extensive experience of working with school leaders she ensures ECT's are supported and receiving their statutory entitlement, as well as advising on teaching and learning pedagogy, mentoring, and induction processes within a diverse range of schools.

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Anais Justin - Programme & Events Coordinator 

Experience

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Tilly Nisbet - Design, Marketing, and Admin Assistant 

Experience

Tilly joined CLT following her A-Levels in Business and English. She loves all things branding, social media, and marketing; Outside of work, she has collaborated with a variety of international brands on her social media channels. Last year, she even launched her own sustainable swimwear brand, which she has built from the ground up and continues to grow in her spare time.

At Chiltern Teaching School, Tilly leads on graphic design and manages the social media accounts for CTG and CTS. From creating campaign assets to supporting recruitment, she ensures our brand presence remains vibrant and professional across all platforms.

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Harriet Page - Senior Teaching School Coordinator

Experience

Harriet joined CLT in 2022, bringing over 10 years of administrative expertise from the property management industry. Harriet is a proud member of the Chiltern team, where she thrives in a purpose-driven environment alongside dedicated colleagues who share her commitment to excellence.

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Kelly Herber - Teaching School Administrator 

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