MAT Central Team

CEO

Matthew has undertaken leadership roles across primary schools within Sheffield, focusing on curriculum and support for pupils who are disadvantaged or speak EAL. Matthew led the school he undertook his first headship at to its first ever outstanding judgement. Matthew was also intrinsic in working with governors within this role to facilitate the school joining a multi-academy trust. Following on from this, Matthew then supported other schools within the trust. Matthew’s role developed to ‘Director of Primary Education’ where he worked across all primary schools at a trust level supporting all schools to be good or outstanding.

Matthew was designated as a National Leader of Education and worked with a teaching school to support the wider educational system. Matthew is experienced in carrying out school-to-school support through the improvement fund (SSIF) and working as a pupil premium reviewer. Matthew’s particular focus was in supporting ‘stuck schools’ and working alongside NLGs to provide sustainable improvement. Further focus in all these roles was to provide sustainable and long-term improvement, with an emphasis on curriculum, staff development and strong governance. Matthew maintains these priorities across IPMAT schools.

Matthew also has extensive experience working as HMI and specialist adviser for Ofsted. Matthew carried out a range of inspections including schools, children’s services, and teacher training providers. Matthew also advised on policy and training and oversaw the quality of written reports nationally. Matthew’s particular specialism was in safeguarding, early years practice and curriculum impact.

Deputy CEO & School Improvement

Kyrstie has experience within the primary sector within both the maintained and academy education sector spanning 20 years with over 10 years in executive and leadership positions. Her experience ranges from successful leadership within industry to successfully leading different schools in challenging circumstances improving them significantly through transformational leadership.
She currently also works as a school improvement partner in a local authority supporting a range of schools in developing practices and leadership capacity. She has worked extensively with schools both locally and Nationally to support them in supporting wellbeing and diversity and also supports leaders as an executive coach.

She also works with Edgehill university as a visiting lecturer developing inclusion and diversity and is the founder of Empowering equity in Education- a platform to provide schools with free resources and support. She has been on the LGBTQ inclusion board at Leeds Beckett University.

Chief Operations Officer

Tracey has an extensive range of comprehensive business leadership skills including financial management, comprehensive HR management and project management developed from a range of senior roles in education.  Previously Director of Business Operations for a secondary academy, Tracey has also supported a number of primary schools with all aspects of school business management.

Tracey holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration, is an associate member of CIPD and AAT and has worked in a number of key senior leadership positions in education over the last 15 years.

Tracey leads on all aspects of academy conversion and ensures new schools joining the Trust are fully supported throughout the conversion process.

Tracey manages the central business team including finance, payroll, HR management and estates management.

Chief Financial Officer

Tracy is an experienced finance professional, having worked in education finance roles since 1987. Tracy initially trained as an internal auditor, becoming a Finance and Business Manager in 1998 and then a CFO in the academies sector in 2011. She was designated as a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE) in 2012, as well as undertaking the CFO role, she coaches and mentors newly appointed CFO’s in new and growing Trusts. Tracy has been the finance lead on a number of successful free schools and has led the financial due diligence processes on behalf of prospective MAT sponsors. Tracy has also supported Trusts in financial difficulty, working with Trust Boards and CEOs on deficit recovery plans and acting as the finance liaison with the DfE.

Tracy is AAT, CSBM and DSBM qualified and is an affiliate member of CIPFA and a member of the Institute of School Business Leaders. She holds a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Educational Leadership.

Outside of work, Tracy has served on Academy Trust Boards and Governing Bodies for schools and colleges and volunteers for the West Yorkshire Hardship Project.

Executive Assistant to CEO

Emma has several years’ experience in providing office management support within a primary sector academy. She has extensive experience and skills in all areas of administration, account management and personnel management; with additional expertise in project management, HR and payroll. In addition to her administrative role within the primary sector, Emma simultaneously managed Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibilities.
Prior to working within the education sector, Emma held a senior compliance role and worked within the construction industry for over 10 years. Emma managed process improvement and project development to ensure manufacturers fulfilled their legislative due diligence obligations.
Emma is a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor (In Training), holds Mental Health First Aid, Senior Mental Health Lead, and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) accreditations.

Trust Teaching Assistant Development Lead

Annabel regularly supports leaders to enhance their knowledge and practice. Annabel has led reading training across the multi-academy trust, promoting a love for literature and embedding a book-rich curriculum; Annabel believes that all children should have access to a wide range of texts across varied genres and read widely with interest and enthusiasm

Trust EYFS Lead

Helen has been in teaching for 17 years working across all key stages. In her previous school she led a large Early Years unit from Requires Improvement (RI) to outstanding. The setting was located within an area of high deprivation, with 96% of children having English as an Additional Language. Since joining the trust in 2022 she has developed and implemented a trust wide Early Years curriculum and led on a variety of CPD topics. Helen is passionate about inclusion across school and feels that the early years plays an integral part in fostering children’s sense of belonging and instilling a life long love of learning.
She has also worked with the Department of Education and Local Authorities across West Yorkshire to support Early Years settings in the Private, Voluntary and Independent sector move on from RI and Inadequate judgements. Helen has also written articles for Early Years Educator magazine around best practice in Early Years provision, designed and delivered an Early Years Scitt course for Manchester Nexus and taken part in international research projects with Leeds Beckett University.

Trust Maths Lead

Amy has taught at Towngate Primary Academy since 2016 within KS1 and KS2. In 2018, she led Mathematics at Towngate developing the curriculum and providing professional development for staff. Since then, she has progressed into leading Mathematics across the Multi-Academy Trust as a Primary Mastery Specialist and Local Leader of Mathematics Education on behalf of the Yorkshire and Humber Maths Hub. As an LLME, Amy will lead work groups from local schools, providing support for leaders and teachers to implement the principles of mastery within their mathematics curriculum.

Trust Peer Review Lead

Sally moved to Yorkshire in 1998 where she completed her music degree at Huddersfield University. She then went on to complete her PGCE.

In 2006 Sally was appointed as Deputy Headteacher at Grove Lea Primary School and taught across both Key Stage One and Two. Her role at the time was to lead in developing the 'Arts', alongside leading Maths across school. She was also responsible as lead mentor for Newly Qualified Teachers and Students.

At Easter 2013 Sally was appointed as the headteacher of the school. Whilst in role she has been thrilled to lead the school to gain 'Outstanding' in their 2017 Ofsted. Sally was also successfully appointed as a Local Leader of Education for Aspire. More recently, she has completed a Masters in Research project in promoting and embedding Mental Health. This is one of Sally’s greatest passions and she enjoys working with other schools in promoting this.

Trust Read Write Inc (RWI) Lead

Beth has taught at Grove Lea Primary school since becoming a qualified teacher in 2020. She has developed and implemented the reading scheme across the school since 2021 after taking on the role of reading lead. In 2023, Beth became to Trust Read Write Inc leader helping to improve the delivery and leadership of the scheme. Working with all schools within the trust, she has supported leaders in embedding the scheme and ensuring consistency across the trust.

Trust Digital Lead

Luke has taught at Grove Lea Primary school for the past 8 years since becoming a qualified teacher in 2016. He has led and developed the implementation of computing across the school for the last 7 years after taking on the role of computing lead. For the past year, he has worked across the trust as digital leader, helping to develop a trust-wide computing curriculum alongside. Working with all schools in the trust, he has embedded the use of technology into all curriculum areas and focuses on how digital technology can be used to enhance children’s opportunities and learning.

Trust Curriculum Lead

Curtis became Headteacher of Gawthorpe in 2022 after working across schools in Barnsley and Sheffield where he has led on curriculum development, teaching and learning and character development. Curtis is passionate about ensuring all schools have a curriculum to challenge and inspire their pupils and ensure children are suitably equipped to contribute positively to their community and wider society. Curtis is passionate about schools having strong vision and values at the heart of their curriculum in order to achieve ‘Everyday Excellence’.

Curtis is a board member of the Association for the Study of Primary Education (ASPE) contributing to research-led evidence to support the primary education sector.

Educational Psychologist

Anthony joined the trust in February 2024 after training and working as a local authority Educational Psychologist (EP) since September 2018. Prior to becoming an EP, he worked in various educational and community based roles in Yorkshire and London. These roles involved working with underrepresented and marginalised communities, across all age ranges, with the ultimate aim of improving life trajectories and outcomes by providing /improving access to education, community care and training through holistic support. Anthony's work has focused on opposing systemic practice and practises that traditionally oppressed, ostracized, discriminated against and stereotyped those in need and the most vulnerable within our society. Multi-agency working with partners such as CAMHS, Serious Crime Units, NHS, Social Care, Barnardos, The Mayor of London’s Office, Community Safety, Housing, and many others provided him with an insight to the complexities of challenging, and affecting change on, issues such as Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, social justice, organised crime, race, and child exploitation etc.

Educational Welfare Officer

Emma has an undeniable passion for ensuring that attendance does not become a barrier for pupils’ educational successes. Emma strongly believes that all pupils have the potential to experience academic success, where she believes strong attendance and positive pastoral support forms the foundations. It is this enthusiasm and drive that has led Emma to work in the role of Education Welfare Officer. Emma has experienced working in many different roles within pastoral education, with roles including Attendance and Behaviour Officer and Learning Mentor. With her rigorous approaches to tackling poor attendance and desire for imparting her knowledge and expertise onto others, Emma works with leaders across the trust, a network of Attendance Officers and individual families to make a difference to the attendance of pupils across the Multi-Academy Trust.

Trust SEND Lead

Katie became Headteacher at Ackton Pastures in January 2020 after previously working as the Deputy Headteacher within school. Prior to joining Ackton Pastures in 2019 Katie worked within schools in North Yorkshire. She has supported a number of schools as an English SLE; delivering bespoke training and CPD as well as coordinating and delivering subject leadership network meetings. As well as a subject specialism in English, Katie has held leadership responsibilities for curriculum development and assessment. Katie is passionate about building a lifelong love of learning within children and truly believes in the school vision of ‘children at the heart, transforming futures at the core.’

Head of Estates

John has worked within the education sector in school estates since 2006. His journey started as a premises technician, completing building and refurbishment projects for a number of schools, before moving into estates management within academy trusts in 2012. John has been Head of Estates at IPMAT since 2022 . He has extensive knowledge and experience in premises maintenance, estates project management and statutory compliance and holds health and safety and Prince 2 qualifications. John has mentored newly appointed estates managers within the sector and supported on a number of due diligence reviews for growing trusts.

Data Protection Officer & External Safeguarding Consultant

Neil is an Independent Foster Panel Vice Chair, School Governor, Safeguarding Trainer, Independent Data Protection Consultant and Educational Consultant. He has a background in secondary education and has provided training for Schools, Local Authorities, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and led a Safeguarding briefing session at Pretoria University, South Africa with the National College of School Leaders. Neil has worked with several Multi Agency Groups to facilitate a range of training programmes and helped to launch Wakefield LA’s first online child protection training programme. Neil provides support and training on a range of Safeguarding & Data Protection issues to a number of settings.

HR & Payroll Officer

HR & Payroll Officer Joanne worked at Towngate Primary Academy as Office Manager before joining the MAT team in September 2019 as HR & Payroll Officer. Joanne has a Degree in Business Studies and 20 years payroll experience having held leadership positions in a large logistics company and a multi-national postal service and courier company. Joanne has expertise in managing multi-disciplined teams processing large weekly and monthly payrolls, project management skills and extensive experience in payroll implementation and deployment of service improvement projects.

Business Operations Officer

Alison has worked at Gawthorpe Academy since 2007, starting in the classroom as a teaching assistant and then moving to Gawthorpe’s Children Centre as receptionist.  Alison then returned to Gawthorpe academy in the role of Office Manager before joining the MAT team in September 2018 as Business Operations Officer. Alison is currently undertaking a degree in business in her spare time and is educated to a high standard.  She has extensive experience of office systems and support with previous roles as Nursery Manager and Accounts Clerk for a large supermarket chain.

Finance Officer

Finance Officer Dave has worked in finance for over thirty years and specialized in the Education Finance sector for over twenty of these. He has a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to call upon, gained from working in Local Authorities, Academy Trusts, Schools and as a self employed Financial Consultant, in varying roles. This experience includes; Budgets, Management Accounts, Financial Monitoring, Bank Reconciliations and Cash Flow Management, using a number of different Finance and Budgeting packages.

Graduate Finance Apprentice

Between September 2018 and July 2021, Daniel studied Mathematics at York University where he achieved a first class honours. Since graduating, Daniel has worked as part of the central finance team here at Inspire where he will develop his knowledge and skills.

Alongside his employment, Daniel is also in process of completing an ACCA Level 7 Professional Accountant apprenticeship which will aide him in learning valuable financial skills including: financial/management accounting, financial reporting and audit.

SBO for Fitzwilliam

Ruth joined the Trust as Office Manager in 2019 then became School Business Officer in January 2020. Ruth has a Foundation Degree and is a associate member of CIPD. Ruth has over 30 years experience from her previous roles in the retail industry one being Retail Operations Manager. Ruth has vast knowledge of HR/ payroll and administration and is currently studying a finance course for Education settings.

SBO for Grove Lea, South Hiendley and Girnhill

Ellie joined Inspire Partnership Multi Academy Trust in January 2021 working as an Academic Mentor, she then went on to qualify as a primary school teacher. Ellie re-joined the Trust in January 2023 as a Business Operations Assistant and progressed to a School Business Officer in September 2023. With a degree in English in Education and experience in the education sector, Ellie has extensive knowledge of school finance, HR and administration. Ellie has also completed her Level 3 qualification in Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards.

SBO for Half Acres and Ackton Pastures

Julie has worked in education since 2002. She commenced her career in secondary education settings but moved to Half Acres Primary Academy in 2004; Initially as School Secretary, then Office Manager and for the last 4 years has been Business Officer working across Half Acres Primary Academy and Ackton Pastures Primary Academy. During her time within Half Acres Primary Academy, Julie completed a Business Administration qualification. Julie has an in-depth knowledge of school administration systems, HR and Finance.
Previously, Julie worked within Social Services for 16 years, the final 9 years of service were in the Child Protection Team.

SBO for Gawthorpe and Towngate

Claire joined Gawthorpe Community Academy as a Receptionist in 2015 after working in the banking industry for 10 years. She progressed to Office Manager in 2018 and then School Business Officer for both Gawthorpe Community Academy and Towngate Primary Academy in January 2020. During her time with the trust, Claire has completed a Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management and prides herself in having extensive knowledge and experience of school finance, HR and administration.