Executive Board
Brian Oglethorpe
Director of Quality and Performance
Brian was formerly Chief Inspector of Schools in Sunderland and previously founder headteacher of Oxclose Community School, Washington, which was described at the time by HMI as an outstanding example of a Community School. Brian leads on our recruitment and interim management services.
Fabriam Centre, Cobalt Business Exchange Cobalt Park Way NE28 9NZ United Kingdom
Diane Greaves
Director of Operations: Northern Education Support Services
Diane was formerly Manager for Strategic Partnerships with North Tyneside’s Children, Young People and Families Directorate and has successfully project managed many initiatives. She is a former LA Education Inspector and has carried out OFSTED inspections. She provides co-ordinating support for the Support Services Division of Northern Education.
Fabriam Centre, Cobalt Business Exchange Cobalt Park Way NE28 9NZ United Kingdom
Chris Roberts
Director of Partnerships & Chair of the Support Services Division
After a number of years working in the private sector Chris worked as a Director for both Newcastle City Council and subsequently as Executive Director of North Tyneside Council. Joining the Learning and Skills Council in 2001 he was the Executive Director for Tyne and Wear and later became Regional Director for the North East. Chris assisted in formation of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) by both working as the Chief Operating officer and Interim National Director of Skills.
Roger Alston OBE
Director of Improvement
The former headteacher of William Howard School in Cumbria, Roger leads on the development of our support and challenge services as well as developments on new forms of schooling, trusts and federations. An experienced SIP and National Challenge Adviser Roger also co-ordinates the contract with Bolton LA.
Fabriam Centre, Cobalt Business Exchange Cobalt Park Way NE28 9NZ United Kingdom
Brian McCafferty
Director of Further Education
Brian is a former HMI and chief adviser to Ofsted for vocationally related education. He has provided senior consultancy support for a range of 14-19 programmes and the national strategies. Brian leads on our 14-19 initiatives.
Fabriam Centre, Cobalt Business Exchange Cobalt Park Way NE28 9NZ United Kingdom
Peter Parish
Director of Operations
Peter was Head of Planning, Commissioning and Quality Assurance in North Tyneside’s Children, Young People and Learning Directorate. He was previously Principal Inspector for schools in North Tyneside. He has responsibility for operational activities within Northern Education.
Fabriam Centre, Cobalt Business Exchange Cobalt Park Way NE28 9NZ United Kingdom
Ray Steele
Director for Change Management
Ray was formerly Head of Secondary School Improvement with Newcastle Local Authority. He is leading the development of new models for commissioning school improvement activities and the academy conversion programme.
Sheelagh Tickell
Senior Associate leading on Primary Education
Sheelagh was formerly a National Leader of Education having been a succesful primary headteacher with three ‘outstanding’ Ofsted reports.
Noreen Buckingham
Senior Associate leading on Special Education
Noreen was for a successful headteacher of an outstanding special school for 19 years. Noreen was an Ofsted Lead inspector for 14 years.
Jane Banks
Director of Leadership Development and Effective Classrooms
Jane has been the Educational Development Coordinator of Easington & Seaham Excellence Cluster in Durham since 2005 and is the DRB Manager of LearnED aDesignated Recommending Body for teacher training. Jane was also Deputy Director of an EAZ.
Anna White CBE
Achievement Partner Specialist supporting schools in Bolton
Formerly the headteacher of the Ridings School in Halifax, Anna is an accredited SIP.
Paul McHugh
Senior Associate
Paul has been a successful headteacher in Durham and a full-time SIP and National Challenge Adviser. Paul specialises in curriculum analysis and staffing management. Paul is also an experienced consultant who undertakes investigations on behalf of governing bodies.
John Leam
Senior Associate
John was headteacher of Isaac Newton School in Hull and then Parkwood High School in Sheffield. John has been a National Challenge Adviser and from December 2010 co-ordinated the work of Associates in the North East Lincolnshire area
Dave Jobbings
Senior Associate
Dave was a Senior Inspector/Adviser for Bradford Education and led Ofsted inspections of primary and secondary schools as a Registered Inspector as well as supporting other colleagues as team inspector. He has been an accredited SIP for primary and secondary schools since the outset of the programme and co-ordinated the work of Associates in North East Lincolnshire up to December 2010. Dave has also been a National Challenge Adviser and specialises in strategies for school self-evaluation, curriculum design and the use of ICT for effective teaching and learning. He carries out quality assurance on behalf of the company.