This week’s movers and shakers include an international netball umpire, a football manager leadership expert and an owner of 500,000 American radio jingles.
This column is our fortnightly guide to who is moving where in the schools community.
We are keen to hear about appointments at a senior level. Please send submissions for this section to news@schoolsweek.co.uk with ‘Movers and shakers’ in the subject line.
Pete Kirkbride, chief education officer, E-ACT
Start date: September
Current job: National education director of secondary, E-ACT
Interesting fact: An army child, Pete attended five primary and four secondary schools.
Abbie Watts, director of SEND, Odyssey Collaborative Trust
Start date: September
Current job: SENCo at the Village Federation, Derbyshire
Interesting fact: Abbie has converted her second camper van to enjoy school holidays.
Adam Dabin, chief executive, Horizons Education Trust
Start date: September
Current job: Director of SEND, Unity Schools Partnership
Interesting fact: Adam is a very happy fan of Tottenham Hotspur after years of pain [the club recently won its first trophy for 17 years].
Kate Mann, national education director of primary, E-ACT
Start date: September
Current job: Deputy national director of primary, E-ACT
Interesting fact: Kate is an international netball umpire and in 2023 officiated in the first Netball World Cup to be held in an African country.
Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis, chair of the National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN)
Start date: June
Concurrent job: chief executive, PA Community Trust
Interesting fact: Phillipa has championed inclusive practice across mainstream education settings and believes passionately in the right of every child and young person to access a high-quality education.
Geoff Barton, Trustee, Education Policy Institute
Start date: September
Former job: general secretary, the Association of School and College Leaders
Interesting fact: Geoff has a collection of more than 500,000 American radio jingles (and once held an ambition to become Radio 1’s breakfast show DJ).
Phil Denton, chief operating officer, EdStart Schools
Start date: June
Former job: Director of education at an edtech company and headteacher of St Bede’s Catholic High School, Ormskirk
Interesting fact: Phil co-wrote The First 100 Days: Lessons in Leadership from the Football Bosses, drawing insights from premier league managers to shape leadership strategies in education and beyond.
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