Our Staff

Gillian is responsible for assuring and safeguarding the standards of education across the Trust.   

Gillian was the Headteacher of Cyril Jackson Primary School (2004 – 2019) and she was also Interim Executive Headteacher of Ben Jonson Primary School (2013-15) steering the school through a challenging period. Prior to these roles, Gillian gained extensive middle and senior leadership experience working in a range of primary schools. At her most recent OFSTED inspection, Cyril Jackson Primary School was graded ‘Outstanding’ in every catergory’ and very proud of the school’s journey to this achievement. Gillian mentors many team members to achieve senior leadership and headship roles and provide ongoing support to colleagues locally, nationally and internationally.  

A passionate educator and school leader with a simple, person-focused philosophy: to ensure all the children and staff in her care have high aspirations for themselves (and each other) and that everyone is offered the very best learning environment to achieve success. Inclusion is fundamental to Gillian’s holistic approach and she ensures that each and every member her school community is enabled to maximise their potential.  

Gillian believes all students and educators deserve excellence however recognises this can only be achieved through perseverance, commitment and high expectations. She strives to deliver the best outcomes for her school in return for a positive mindset and willingness to work together to achieve a shared vision. Her specialisms include Strategic leadership and management, whole school improvement including raising and sustaining standards and aspirations for all, Primary phase teaching and learning, Inspiring and building teams, individuals and future leaders, Data analysis and Preparing for OFSTED inspections. Gillian operates an open-door policy and warmly welcomes every opportunity to drive improvements through collaborative working and personal growth.

Richard trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross (now Deloittes), who are one of the Big Four accountancy firms in 1992. After leaving Touche Ross, Richard worked in a number of accountancy practices, ranging in size from sole practitioners to medium sized practices, gaining experience across a number of sectors including charities, housing associations, solicitors, motor dealers and metal traders. Whilst this work was mainly in audit, Richard also worked in accounts preparation, personal and corporate tax as well as running payrolls for a number of clients, which has stood him in good stead for his work in the educational sector.

Richard entered the educational sector when he joined Mossbourne Community Academy as Director of Finance in 2005. At the time the academy sector was new with just 15 academies nationally. Whilst at Mossbourne Community Academy he oversaw the finances as the academy grew from just a single year group to a full school and took responsibility for the building of a sixth form extension and a further extension for autistic sixth form pupils. As the Mossbourne became one of the country’s most successful academies, the Trust grew to a multi academy trust of four schools of which two of the new schools were new schools and Richard was responsible for the building of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy. Throughout his time at Mossbourne, systems (finance, HR and IT) were implemented to meet the growing and changing needs of the Trust. Whilst at Mossbourne, Richard was also a member of the Hackney Pensions Board for the Local Government Pension Scheme.

On leaving Mossbourne in 2016, Richard joined St Matthew Academy and oversaw the transformation of that academy’s financial fortunes through a staff restructure. In 2017 Richard then joined the Divergent Partnership Trust which oversaw an academy and a maintained school, of which the latter was a PFI school. Richard oversaw the finances of both schools as well as the PFI contract, and the building / implementation of three successful condition improvement fund bids including replacement curtain walling and a new sports hall. Richard joined the University Schools Trust as Director of Finance and Operations in September 2019. Richard is passionate about education and ensuring that each child maximises their potential.

Louise is responsible for developing all aspects of the HR function, including the development and implementation of effective HR systems and processes and an innovative workforce strategy which has employee well-being and work life balance at its core.  

Louise has over 25 years experience working at a senior level within HR and has substantial experience of working with schools in the London area on a range of strategic and operational issues. Prior to joining UST in February 2018, she was the Head of HR and Payroll at Newham Partnership Working (NPW), a public sector mutual owned by the schools within the London Borough of Newham and working in partnership with the Local Authority. Before joining NPW, Louise was the Head of the Education HR service at the London Borough of Havering. Both roles involved leading and transforming large teams and services to provide both statutory and traded services to maintained and academy schools.  As a result, Louise has a breadth of experience in change management, managing complex employee relations matters, TUPE, academy conversions and policy development, together with experience in workforce strategy, planning and information. Louise has also previously worked in senior positions within the NHS and Social Services.  

Originally from New Zealand, Louise is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD). Louise holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Cultural Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She also holds a Masters Degree in Employment Law (LLM), gained with Merit, from the University of Surrey.

Darren began his career at Robert Clack School teaching all three sciences in 2005, specialising in physics. He completed his training through the GTP programme and has worked throughout his teaching career in comprehensive and inclusive schools for 11-19 year olds located in areas of East London with high social deprivation.

In 2013, following an Assistant Headship at the Warren School, Darren joined St Paul’s Way Trust School as Director of Learning for the School of Education where he led on the development of the NQT programme and the Summer Science School. Darren then moved to oversee the development of the Sixth Form as Deputy Headteacher helping the Sixth Form to deliver record results as well as taking on wider responsibilities involving Data, Standards and Compliance across the school.

In September 2018 Darren was appointed as Deputy Headteacher for the UST, with responsibility across the trust for Standards and Compliance. He has a proven track record of delivering strong results, developing teams and ensuring robust and effective processes to facilitate whole school learning and in September 2019 was appointed to the UST Executive as Director of Data and Compliance.

Darren has also worked for many years as a Subject Teacher Leader for the Prince’s Teaching Institute (PTI) providing support and knowledge enhancement in physics for teachers early in their teaching careers so as to help them develop a greater range of strategies and methods for teach. In addition to this role with the PTI he is also their Associate Department Co-ordinator for Science where he oversees the PTI’s national programme supporting research projects to enhance science faculty provision and development.

Phil began his teaching career as chemistry specialist at Robert Clack School in 2003. He was promoted to Head of Science in 2005 and through a strong focus on staff development, creative teaching methods and quality enrichment, the science department excelled and quickly gained a reputation for innovation.

After working as Assistant Headteacher at Robert Clack (6th Form) and as science consultant for the Specialist School’s Network in London, Kent and Birmingham, Phil became Deputy Headteacher at St Paul’s Way Trust in 2012. He led teaching and learning, from 'Requires Improvement' to Outstanding (Ofsted 2013) and also headed up a range of other innovative projects before taking charge of the school’s work as a National Teaching School.

In 2016 Phil became Acting Headteacher and led the school to achieve strong outcomes at both GCSE and A level. In May 2018 Phil was appointed Executive Headteacher of St Paul’s Way Trust School.

Phil has a track record of building strong teams, effective external partnerships and creative approaches to drive school improvement. He is very much looking forward to leading a talented leadership, teaching and support team at St Paul's Way Trust to provide a truly transformational education of the young people of Tower Hamlets.

Raza began his career in education in 2009 where he joined the Teach First programme London region; initially teaching Maths and Economics (and later becoming Head of Year 11) at Westminster Academy. Within one academic year, the pass rate had more than doubled leading the school from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’. This later helped Westminster Academy being named ‘TES Secondary School of the year’.

Following this, Raza then joined a brand new start up academy called Hammersmith Academy. Here, Raza created a brand new innovative curriculum from KS3 to KS5 that ensured all students were being challenged and able to maximise their potential. Hammersmith Academy received ‘Good’ in its first Ofsted and now has the platform to excel further.

For the past 6 years, Raza has taken on senior leadership roles both inside of school and as an external consultant where he has helped local schools improve their operational systems and procedures. This culminated in Raza being the Headteacher of Leytonstone School between 2018-2019 and now Associate Headteacher of St.Pauls Way Trust School in Tower Hamlets. Raza holds the National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH).

Away from leading schools on a day to day basis, Raza sits on the Teach First National Schools Forum that is supported by the CEO himself, Russell Hobby. This is a platform for Primary and Secondary Headteacher’s and CEOs, to discuss local and national strategy with a clear focus to eradicate educational disadvantage in our society. This work is supplemented by Raza’s recent appointment as Fellow to the Chartered College of Teaching where he will be engaging with and publishing educational research.

Specialisms

• Primary Teaching and Learning
• Early Years Foundation Stage (including childcare provision for 0 to 5)
• HR investigations
• Leadership support

Clare is a Specialist Leader in Education and is currently Headteacher of St Paul’s Way Foundation School (2016-present), leading the school in its first years of being open and through a major building project. Prior to this, Clare was Associate Head in a federation of two schools in Waltham Forest, having joined the school as a middle leader (2009-2016). Here, she was part of the Executive Leadership Team which took one of the schools from a ‘Satisfactory’ grading to ‘Outstanding’ and the other school from being in special measures to ‘Good’. This role also involved overseeing two private nurseries, attached to the schools.

Clare previously worked as a teacher and middle leader in other London Primary Schools. She has overseen a range of work supporting leaders and teachers in schools in Waltham Forest, Haringey and Bexley, including preparation for Ofsted inspections and supporting schools is special measures. Clare is currently a member of Tower Hamlets Early Years Moderation Team.

As an educator and leader, Claire is driven to ensure the best possible outcomes for children, staff and the wider school community. She believes that schools must provide a safe and stimulating environment in which the whole child can grow and thrive so that they achieve their full potential in life. To reach this end, staff must have the guidance and support to accomplish great things. Clare strives to work with all members of a school community to ensure high aspirations and excellent outcomes for staff and pupils. She believes this is best achieved with an approach that inspires and empowers staff to meet high expectations; developing individual skills and encouraging collaboration to develop the capacity of the whole team.

Miss Longhurst joined the Royal Greenwich Trust School in September 2019. Miss Longhurst has extensive leadership experience acquired through various roles within the secondary sector including Education Consultant, Principal/Headteacher, Co-principal, Associate Principal, Deputy Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher.

As a highly motivated and innovative leader, Miss Longhurst has a proven track record for successfully leading and managing across diverse areas of responsibility. Her core talent in viewing challenges as opportunities and in achieving intended outcomes with drive and enthusiasm supports her dedication to raising standards.

Miss Longhurst is an advocate for young people who, at the heart of all decisions and actions, maintains clarity on what is ultimately of greatest benefit to the students within the learning community.