Stephen Adcock

Steve taught History in three London academies, including two senior leadership roles. He has now been with United Learning for nearly 10 years, initially leading on curriculum and subject support and now as a Regional Director. Steve is also an Ofsted inspector. Steve has a Master’s in Education Management and has recently gained the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership.  Steve loves working for United Learning because it provides the chance to visit schools up and down the country and work towards ensuring that all pupils get a great deal when they step through our doors.

Ben Antell

Ben Antell is the recently appointed Director of Secondary Academies in United Learning. Before taking up this role, Ben was a Regional Director in the trust and previous to that an Executive Principal with a responsibility for schools in Bournemouth and London. Ben is passionate about school improvement and the belief that education is the key to social mobility and future success. Ben also works as an Ofsted inspector in the south-west and counts himself fortunate enough to have worked with some of the leading educationalists in the country through both his Regional Director, Executive Principal and Ofsted roles.

Catherine Barker

Catherine joined United Learning in 2015, having led performing arts faculties in London schools. She began her career as the first Teacher First music teacher in 2004. Now working in the Partnership Team, alongside support and advisory to the teachers in the group she also leads groupwide performance events, such as 'MUSICFest', ‘Carmen’, ‘Green Love!’, 'Zimbe!' and ‘Wassail!’– recognised at the Music Teachers Awards as ‘Best Classical Music Education Initiative 2018’.

An experienced music educator, Catherine holds an MA in Music Education from the IoE. In the trust she leads groupwide curriculum development for music and subject provision for Music and Drama teachers as part of the group initial teacher training programme, United Teaching. 

Alongside her groupwide role she currently is the President of the Music Teachers’ Association and has been appointed to the monitoring board for the DfE's National Plan for Music Education, having been on the original panel for the NPME in 2022. She is also Chair of Paddington Academy local governing body, a secondary school that has recently been recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted. 

Prior to teaching, Catherine was a scholar at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College, Cambridge, and has performed extensively including on Radio 3 and professional recordings as a cellist and singer. 

You can follow Catherine and the work in United Learning here: @United_Music1

Jess Johnson

Jess Johnson joined United Learning as Head of Professional Development Projects in 2023. She leads on projects in the areas of line management, SEND and Inclusion, and support staff development. Jess believes that great communication and professional development are the foundations of strong teams. She is committed to providing high quality learning opportunities for adults so that, in turn, they can make education better for children and young people.

Tom Bennett

Tom Bennett was a teacher in the East End of London for thirteen years. Currently he is the Director and founder of researchED, a grass-roots, teacher-led project that aims to make teachers research-literate and pseudo-science proof.

Fiona Boulton

Fiona became Director of Independent Schools in September 2022. She originally joined the organisation in 1995 when it was the Church Schools Company; it later became United Learning. She was Head of Guildford High School from 2002 – 2022. Guildford High became a Teaching School in 2013 and Fiona was appointed an NLE, leading the United Learning Teaching School Alliance from 2013 - 2020.

She has a variety of Governance roles; she is an Associate Director of Cumbria University (since 01.06.21), she is on the Governing body of Epsom College (since 01.11.09) and she is a member of the ‘Learning Partners Academy Trust’. Fiona is on the Advisory Board of the School Partnerships Alliance and she has helped to establish the West Surrey Partnership of all the state and independent schools in the Guildford area. She was Chair of HMC in 2019-2020, and on the Advisory Council of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education (IEAIED) (2018 – 2021). In 2023, Fiona was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to education.

Ed Charlwood

Ed has nearly two decades of experience teaching and leading Design & Technology in both state and independent schools. He also co-founded Design Education CIC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of designers and makers. He leads D&T teacher training for Teach First and the National Institute of Teaching.

Ed joined United Learning in November 2023 as the Secondary Curriculum Lead for Design & Technology. He works extensively on developing forward-looking curricula underpinned by the judicious use of Design Thinking methodologies and modern technologies to support student decision-making.

Sir Jon Coles

Since January 2012, Jon Coles has been Group Chief Executive of United Learning.

Charlie Cutler

Since leaving the classroom, Charlie has spent more than 6 years in curriculum policy and development. She worked in curriculum policy at the Department for Education, leading research projects and engaging with thought leaders in the field. Since joining United Learning in 2019, Charlie has led the development of the primary curriculum, ensuring that it is well sequenced, is built upon United Learning’s evidence-informed pedagogies, and meets our teachers’ needs. She also has oversight of the secondary curriculum, ensuring consistency and progression from EYFS to KS3 and beyond.

Laura Moore

Laura is a full-time Regional Director and works with schools in Yorkshire and Manchester. Laura’s strategic responsibility is Disadvantaged and Pupil Premium. Before taking up this post, Laura worked as a Principal of a secondary school in Leeds.

Adriano Di Salvo

Adriano has worked for United Learning for 11 years, during this time he has worked as Head of Art at Kettering Buccleuch Academy and as a SLE across the trust. Adrian’s SLE work has allowed him to visit a number of our schools across the country, giving support on KS3 curriculum and helping to improve outcomes at KS4 and KS5.

During the pandemic Adriano led a team of teachers to design a key stage 3 art curriculum, create and record lessons for Oak National Academy.

Adriano has recently written for the NSEAD on how the trust is using the ARAEA checklist to improve diversity and representation across the United Learning art curriculum.

Adriano now joins the subject adviser’s team alongside his work as a lead practitioner at Kettering Buccleuch Academy.

Dino Di Salvo

Dino works primarily with schools in the Midlands and Swindon. He also holds the position of Principal at Kettering Buccleuch Academy, an all-through school which has improved rapidly under his leadership and has won a Pearson Silver Award this year for Secondary School Of The Year: Making A Difference. Alongside his other roles, Dino has guided many of United Learning’s aspiring leaders through the completion of the group’s NPQH programme.

Shaun Dowling

For the past twelve years, Shaun has led the strategic development of sport at United Learning, as Head of Sport. A former Head of PE, Shaun advanced to Deputy Headteacher roles in two secondary schools before taking on a national position with the Youth Sport Trust as Head of Raising Achievement.

Shaun’s influence extends across the wider landscape of physical education. He recently completed a successful tenure as Chair of the Leadership Skills Foundation, played a key role on the Association for PE’s national Taskforce in 2021, and was handpicked to join Ofsted’s PE Working Group in 2022. He’s the author of two widely respected books on PE and school sport, and is currently helping to shape the future of the subject advising government on the new national curriculum for Physical Education.

His leadership continues to be recognised at the highest levels. He was recently appointed to the Board for England Rugby Schools, where Shaun played a central role in promoting a structure for the safe and secure playing of rugby in all schools in England.

His expertise has also been recognised internationally, with his work taking him to South Africa, America, and Iraq where he has shared his expertise on a global stage. When he’s not transforming school sport, Shaun channels his energy into triathlon - competing as an athlete and coaching the next generation at his local club. His work is fuelled by a deep belief in the power of sport to change lives - and he’s spent his career proving it.

Brian Doyle

Adam Lamb

Adam started his career in his native North East of England before moving to London. Alongside leading a highly successful languages faculty, Adam has had experience of overseeing whole-school literacy, on-site teacher training induction and has been a whole-school Lead Practitioner. Outside of the classroom, Adam is an examiner, has presented at various conferences, and has had work published as part of the launch materials provided by exam boards ahead of the new GCSE specification. Adam has also authored work in the new Pearson GCSE Spanish textbooks. 

Adam is a firm believer that languages should be for all, regardless of ability or background, and is very interested in how students read - investigating this as part of his final project to become a Chartered Teacher.

Darran Ellison-Lee

Darran has a wide range of achievements in Education, including leadership in both Primary and Secondary phases as well as in Special Education.

Darran was a National Leader of Education, leading one of the first national teaching schools and a federation of primary schools in the North of England. The teaching school under his leadership provided a wide range of school improvement work and was one of the first schools providing training for Schools Direct.

Darran has overseen growth of our primary schools, which now includes over 35 schools. Darran’s leadership of improvement work has secured enhanced quality of teaching, resulting in schools moving from Special Measures to Good, at times requiring him to step in as Exec Head or acting Principal to support. In addition,

Darran is Director with responsibility for the Trust’s support, challenge and accountability on Safeguarding, ensuring that United Learning meets Statutory requirements and that Safeguarding processes across the Group are robust and effective.

Caroline Goss

Caroline has been a teacher of French and Spanish for over ten years, teaching from KS2 to KS4 in both state and independent sectors. Caroline spent most of her career working in an outstanding central London academy, starting out as an MFL teacher but along the way holding the positions of KS3 coordinator and Head of MFL before joining the academic Senior Leadership Team. In 2021, Caroline joined United Learning as an MFL Curriculum Writer before becoming a Subject Adviser later that year.

Sarah Horn

Sarah has over 12 years of experience working in secondary education in the South of the country. After starting as a geography teacher in 2010, she moved into middle leadership through a Head of Geography and then a Head of Humanities role.  In 2015, Sarah moved into the sphere of special education needs and was a SENDCo for over 8 years and has recently held an Assistant Principal position. Sarah currently works as the Secondary Inclusion Adviser for United Learning, which she initially began in 2021. She is passionate about providing strategic guidance and support to schools nationally on effective SEND provision, to reduce the attainment gap and ensure students with SEND thrive.

Laura Dawson

Laura joined United Learning in 2007 working in Salford as an English teacher. With over a decade of experience as Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), she also held the position of Senior Assistant Principal for Inclusion before moving across to the Central Team as Secondary SEND Adviser in 2024.

Laura works collaboratively with schools to embed high expectations and inclusive practices that empower students with special educational needs to thrive. She is dedicated to building strong relationships and understanding the unique contexts of families and communities, ensuring that all stakeholders contribute to a supportive and inclusive school culture.

Mel Haselden

Mel has been Principal of Salford City Academy since April 2017 which has improved significantly under her leadership. More recently, Mel has been appointed as an Executive Principal (North) and is currently working with Principals in Lancashire to provide leadership support. Mel has delivered leadership sessions on radical candor and challenging conversations to aspiring leaders both in teaching and support roles; she is passionate about providing leadership opportunities for both staff and students. 

Suzanne Howard

Suzanne joined United Learning in 2012, having previously worked at the Department for Education. She is passionate about creating development opportunities for all staff in schools, and nurturing an inclusive environment, where diverse teams can flourish.  

Victoria Kidds

Victoria joined Langford Primary School in 2015 and is currently the Head of School. As well as leading Langford, Victoria runs the ECT programme for the Central London Teaching School Hub, facilitating the Early Career Framework for over 400 ECTs in last three years. 

Victoria has 20 years of experience in Primary Schools, including five years teaching internationally in Vietnam, but is particularly passionate about providing high quality education to disadvantaged communities in London.

Doug Lemov

Marie Sugarman

Marie Sugarman built her career in the Financial Services sector as a Learning and Development Consultant, Quality Manager and Head of Communications, advocating continuous improvement at all stages.

Marie joined United Learning as Strategic Communications Manager at the start of summer 2021, where her initial focus was supporting the promotion of the DfE's EdTech Demonstrator Programme. Marie is responsible for the internal communications strategy, improving collaboration across teams and departments and championing best practice for communication-based activities.

Sarah Plummer

Sarah joined United Learning in 2020 and works in the central Professional Development Team. She leads on projects to support the development and progression of business support staff. Her areas of work include Business Manager development, central office training, and support for Group-wide networks. Sarah is committed to ensuring that business support staff have access to high quality CPD, including introducing and managing tailored agendas for business support staff at the BiE Induction Conference.

Lucy Hawker

Lucy is Senior Primary Curriculum Lead at United Learning, overseeing the development and implementation of the primary curriculum to ensure coherence, alignment with evidence-informed teaching practices and the right support for our teachers. She also specifically works on the History curriculum for primary. Lucy is passionate about curriculum design and educational research and, prior to joining United Learning in 2022, held senior leadership roles at primary schools in Bristol and London. As a Deputy Headteacher, she led many areas including SEND, teaching and learning, and professional development, and seeks to draw on these experiences as much as possible in her current role. 

Leanne Pittson

Leanne is a School Business Manager with over a decade of experience in the education sector, Leanne’s career has excelled throughout her seven years currently at United Learning. Having led on strategic business operations as Business Manager for multiple schools as well as a cluster she manages key areas such as finance, HR, compliance, and site operations, ensuring that the school runs efficiently and effectively to support the best outcomes for students.

Leanne is most passionate about leading teams, processes and systems that allow teaching staff to focus on delivering quality education, while ensuring the infrastructure behind the scenes is robust, compliant, and pupil-focused by ensuring that pupils are at the heart of every decision so that they have the best possible experience as they develop through the school.

Kate Lainton

With over 15 years of experience in education business management, Kate brings a deep understanding of financial strategy, operational leadership, and school improvement. She currently serves as the Executive Business Manager at United Learning, a role Kate has held since February 2025. In this position, Kate leads strategic business planning and support across multiple academies, ensuring that resources are aligned to deliver the best outcomes for students.

Kate's journey with United Learning began in 2018. Over the years, she has held key roles including Finance Business Partner at Central Office and Finance Manager at Stockport Academy. These roles have equipped Kate with a strong foundation in financial planning, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.

Prior to joining United Learning, Kate worked in Local Authority schools from 2009, where she developed her expertise in school business management and administration. This early experience gave her a solid grounding in the operational challenges and opportunities within the education sector.

Kate is passionate about driving efficiency, supporting school leaders, and making a meaningful impact on the educational experience of young people.

Ben Littlewood

Ben has worked in education for over 20 years, as a secondary school science teacher, Advanced Skills Teacher, senior leader and advisor. He joined United Learning as the Science Advisor in January 2016, before becoming Senior Science Advisor in 2018.

Ben has worked in several schools on developing science teaching, both as an AST and as a local authority advisor, as well as leading on teaching and learning across a whole school. Ben also has a MA in Education, with a focus in the impact of feedback on students learning.

Louise Johnston

Louise joined United Learning in June 2014 having previously worked at Travelex, the leading global foreign exchange provider, most recently leading their Shared Service Finance centre in Peterborough, managing the UK and European finance, operational and facilities teams.

Louise qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998 training at PwC, managing the audits of both private and public sector clients.

Louise is now responsible for the financial management of the United Learning group together with company secretarial and legal governance, group procurement and freedom of information compliance.

She is also a governor at her local primary school.

Matthew Norton

Matt’s role involves overseeing Operations at Barnsley Academy, Sheffield Park Academy, Sheffield Springs Academy and Fir Vale School. Matt is supported by Operations Officers placed in each school and his role includes overseeing administration functions, compliance, health and safety, data protection and catering. Matt works closely with various departments within the cluster, including the Principals and SLT at each school as well as other business services managers such as the Cluster Facilities Manager, Cluster Finance Manager, Cluster Network Manager and Cluster HR Manager. Matt’s role sits underneath the Executive Business Manager and within a business services structure supported by this management team.

Matt is passionate about providing an exceptional service to all stakeholders he deals with, including providing exemplary support and guidance to his team, students, and local communities. Matt continuously strives to build strong relationships both internally and externally, driving and developing the support available within each school from an operational and business services perspective, with the end goal always being to ensure students have all the tools they need to succeed within an exceptional learning environment.

Kyle Bestley

Kyle has a strong background within the Education and Sports Coaching sector, working within mainstream Primary Schools and a Secondary SEND school setting in a number of support staff roles working with a variety of needs. On top of this, he has spent three years within a previous Apprenticeship Training Provider delivering across several different standards in the apprenticeship sector, with the main area of expertise being the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Programme.

One of Kyle’s most memorable professional achievements within Apprenticeships was his support of an apprentice who faced numerous barriers to learning coming from a specialist SEND school who then went on to win Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year along with gaining national nominations as well. This opened up opportunities for this learner to go back and support learners like themselves to show what’s possible.

Ian Miller

Ben Newborn

Jed Queally

Jed joined United Learning in September 2013, recently completing his 10^th year and still enjoying the role as School Business Manager at Northampton Academy.  Prior to that he was a Bank Manager for HSBC Bank for 31 years.

Jed's school role includes looking after the support structure including Finance, Estates, IT, Operations, H&S, GDPR and Office Admin functions.  During his 10 years, he's tendered for many contracts including cleaning, photocopiers, telephony, minibuses, numerous furniture purchases and a golf zone.

Jed has also secured external funding to support internal refurbishment as the school PAN increased and has enjoyed the journey as Northampton Academy moved from good to outstanding at their last Ofsted inspection.  Jed is passionate about improving the environment, so it is a great place for staff to work and for our students to be proud of.

Jed has also supported other United Learning schools, both Primary and Secondary, to help them settle into or assist with major changes. He also mentors new Business Managers within the Group.

Christine Raeside

Chris Raeside is a secondary Regional Director for academies in the south. She joined United Learning in September 2017 following 7 years working for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. For her last three years with Ofsted, Chris was a senior HMI, working in the South West, overseeing and quality-assuring inspection throughout the region. She is an experienced secondary senior leader, working in schools and local authorities in two London authorities and, since 2005, in Hampshire, where she lives.

Jennifer Reynolds

Jen joined United Learning in 2018 and has worked in Primary Education for over 30 years, much of the time combining teaching with other roles. Jen is a former English Advisor for the CAM Academy Trust and facilitated writing moderation with large clusters of schools throughout Cambridgeshire sharing her work at Beyond Levels conferences. She is also a former English Adviser for Cambridgeshire and tutor on the PGCE and GTP at the Faculty of Education, Cambridge University. Jen has researched several areas of children's literacy, including gender differences in responding to texts and has written guest blogs for The Chartered College and No More Marking on the use of Comparative Judgement to assess writing. She was a researcher on the Cambridge University government funded project, ‘Raising Boys’ Achievement’, specifically researching the role of drama and talk to develop writing.

Alicia Shanks

Alicia joined United Learning as a History Adviser in 2021, offering direct support to schools in the North of England. She has a keen interest in the education sector which resulted in her completing her BA Hons degree in History and Education Studies and led to her developing this further by completing an MA in Education. Alicia has worked in several roles throughout her career so far including Head of History, Head of Humanities and Lead Practitioner with whole school teaching and learning responsibilities. During the pandemic she also supported remote learning for all pupils nationally by creating and filming lessons for Oak Academy.

Sam Shaw

Mark Stephenson

Mark joined the Primary team at United Learning in September 2019 as Maths Advisor supporting schools mainly in the South and the Midlands. Prior to joining the Primary team, Mark was a primary school teacher and maths subject lead for over 10 years in schools in Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham, one of which was Langford Primary School, which is also part of the group. Mark has completed the NPQSL and is accredited as both an NCETM Professional Development Lead, and School Development Lead.

Jill Todd

Amanda Whitehead