The Facilitators

Colette

Colette is the lead for NPQs at L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub, but also has the honour of facilitating on the NPQSL programme with Teach First. A secondary English teacher at heart, Colette has had experience of a wide range of responsibilities in Senior Leadership, ranging from attendance and inclusion, to reading and literacy. As Strategic Lead for the English Hub and Deputy Director of L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub, she has a strong grasp of the national education landscape, and also the local context needs. As a huge advocate for closing the disadvantage gap through quality teaching and learning, and ensuring that colleagues from all phases learn and grow through effective collaborative networks, she understands the responsibility and privilege of leading the NPQ programmes, and the impact this can have on the young people we serve. She looks forward to welcoming you onto the programmes and will always be on hand to answer any queries and support you to make the most of the opportunity.

Ria

Ria brings a deep commitment to supporting school improvement, with a particular passion for English. With a wealth of experience leading English across primary settings, she has supported countless leaders in strengthening their curriculum, enhancing pedagogy, and improving outcomes for pupils. She has also led a project across Lincolnshire for the local authority, focused on developing Early Language, Vocabulary and Fluency in EYFS and KS1, supporting schools to embed strong foundations for communication and early reading. Alongside her NPQ facilitation, Ria also delivers training for the English Hub, specialising in developing reading fluency. Her strong knowledge of children’s literature supports her work, ensuring that reading is both purposeful and joyful for pupils. Over the past three years, Ria has found it a privilege to deliver the NPQLL. She particularly values the opportunity to share research-informed practice to elevate the role of English leadership and to build collaborative communities where leaders learn from one another’s experiences across diverse contexts. Ria is motivated by empowering leaders to make meaningful, sustainable change in their schools. This year, Ria is excited to be extending her facilitation role to include the NPQSL, and she looks forward to meeting new participants, hearing your stories, and supporting your leadership journey.

Catherine

Catherine is an experienced school leader, adviser, and facilitator with a deep and unwavering commitment to educational leadership. She has served as a Head Teacher for over 16 years and held a wide variety of roles across the education sector, each shaped by her dedication to nurturing high-quality leadership and creating lasting impact in schools.

Her passion is supporting aspiring and established leaders. She currently facilitates sessions for NPQSL and NPQH in partnership with Teach First and TDT, guiding participants through their leadership journeys. This role allows her to combine her experience with her passion for developing others, helping leaders reflect, grow, and build the confidence to lead with clarity and conviction.

As a facilitator, Catherine strives to bring the principles of L.E.A.D. TSH to life; it's essential to remain responsive to the needs of everyone, in every group. Catherine works hard to foster connection, encourage meaningful dialogue, and create safe and brave spaces where trust, collaboration, and challenge can flourish. 

Catherine’s commitment to educational leadership is not just professional — it’s personal. She cares deeply about the work we do, the people we serve, and the potential we unlock. She believes that every session we lead is an opportunity to empower others, share what we've learned, and contribute to a profession that continues to inspire every day.

Lesley

Lesley is an educator with a passion for collaborative ways of working, inspired by the African proverb: “To walk fast, walk alone; to walk far, walk together” - a mantra which runs through my core!   Having served as Head Teacher at a local authority primary school in Lincolnshire for 10 years, she has since held a variety of roles to champion school leadership and drive school improvement in Lincolnshire and further afield. Such roles have included leading peer review programmes for Ambition Lincoln and the Schools Partnership Programme, creating heads’ performance management partnerships, leading heads' and governors' forums and championing pupil voice through school councils and the Lincolnshire Music Festival. 

For the last two years, Lesley has facilitated both the  NPQSL and NPQH programmes for the L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub. Aligned to the hub’s principles, her vision is to enable participants to create collaborative communities, learning from each other’s contextual perspectives and growing in confidence to articulate the language of a leader.  

Lucy

I am an experienced education leader and consultant with over 35 years’ experience across the sector, including 20 years in senior leadership roles and 10 years as Chief Executive Officer of a multi-academy trust. From January 2026, following my retirement as CEO of the South Lincolnshire Academies Trust (SLAT), I now work as an independent Educational Consultant as Founder and CEO of Conley Consultancy Services Ltd, supporting schools, trusts, and system leaders to achieve sustained improvement and strong outcomes for young people. I served as CEO of SLAT from 2017 to 2026, leading the successful transformation of four large, non-selective 11–18 secondary schools in Lincolnshire, educating over 5,000 students. When I took on the role, all four schools were among the lowest-performing nationally and judged Inadequate by Ofsted. Under my leadership, each school improved to Good, with Outstanding Leadership recognised, and all are now significantly oversubscribed. Today, SLAT schools rank within the top 5–35% nationally, and the Trust is consistently placed in the top 10% of all secondary academy trusts in England. In 2024, SLAT ranked 12th out of 213 trusts (6th percentile) and in 2025 19th out of 236 trusts (8th percentile). All four schools are now the highest-performing non-selective secondary schools in Lincolnshire. My leadership and impact have been recognised nationally. I was recognised as the Top Performing Female Multi-Academy Trust Lead in the 2024 - International Women’s Day Awards (Beta), celebrating outstanding leadership and impactful contributions to educational trust management, and in the January 2026 New Year Honours List I was awarded an MBE for services to education. Alongside my trust leadership, I have continued to support school improvement nationally and regionally. I have been a keynote speaker at Department for Education national conferences and have worked across both Lincolnshire and nationally in both primary and secondary phases, driven by a strong commitment to system-wide collaboration and sector-led improvement. I also work with the Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) and with LEAD as a facilitator and assessor on National Professional Qualification programmes, including NPQSL. I am a qualified ILM Leadership Coach. My work is underpinned by a deep commitment to developing people at all levels. I place professional growth, wellbeing, and leadership development at the heart of sustainable organisational success and have a strong track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality staff within ambitious, inclusive, and supportive professional cultures.

Kirstyn 

I’m an experienced school leader and early years specialist, with my entire career rooted in Lincolnshire. I began my journey after graduating from Bishop Grosseteste College with a BA (Hons) with QTS in English, followed by a first-class Masters degree in Primary Leadership and Management. I was also proud to be part of Cohort 2 of the original NPQH. I became a headteacher at the age of 27, which at the time made me the youngest in the country. I have enjoyed a number of headship roles including as an Executive Headteacher across two primary schools. Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to high-quality leadership, which led me to become a local authority consultant headteacher, supporting colleagues across the county, and to lead the first Network Community funded by the DfE, bringing schools together to share and develop best practice.

At the heart of my professional journey has always been my passion for early years. This has shaped every stage of my career — from opening nursery provision in primary schools, to leading a maintained nursery school, to working as a Senior Adviser for the local authority Birth to Five Service, and later as an Early Years Lead Practitioner within a Multi-Academy Trust. I am now an Early Years Consultant and Ofsted Inspector, and I am thrilled to also be working for LEAD as a facilitator for the NPQEYL. Early years is the foundation of all learning and development, and when we get it right for our youngest children, we set them on a lifelong path of curiosity, confidence, and success. Leadership in the early years is an exciting and vital area of development, as it focuses on empowering teams who are dedicated to giving every child the very best start in life.

The LEAD Teaching School Hub provides a powerful platform for early years practitioners and teachers to grow as leaders, to implement meaningful improvement projects, and to enhance the quality of provision and curriculum within their settings and schools. Central to this work is bringing colleagues with you: listening, supporting one another, developing others, and bringing out the best in everyone as we navigate the training and qualification together.

Through facilitating the NPQEYL, I feel privileged to work alongside early years colleagues who share the same passion, commitment, and ambition to create exceptional learning environments where every child can thrive. I very much look forward to working with you, sharing our enthusiasm for early years, and being part of your leadership journey.

Emily

Emily  has over 20 years’ experience across mainstream and specialist education in both teaching and leadership roles. She is the Director of LEARN SEND Hub, the Regional Lead for Whole School SEND in the East Midlands, and an Advisor for the RISE Programme.  Emily has the privilege of supporting schools and local authorities at national, regional, and local levels, as well as working directly with individual schools to strengthen inclusive practice. 

Emily designs and leads a wide range of continuing professional development opportunities, supporting schools to reflect on and enhance their SEND, inclusion, and wider pedagogical practice. She develops evidence‑informed resources and works alongside school leaders to strengthen whole‑school improvement through high‑quality professional learning. A regular conference speaker and advocate for inclusive education, she is committed to ensuring every pupil has access to the support they need to thrive.

Jacqui

Jacqui has over 30 years’ experience in education, working across a range of mainstream primary settings in a variety of roles—from teaching assistant to class teacher and Deputy Headteacher.

Her passion for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) developed during her time in school, leading her to take on the role of SENCo. She has also worked within the Local Authority’s Home Tuition Service, supporting children who are unable to access mainstream education.

Jacqui is deeply committed to ensuring that every child has the best possible opportunity to succeed. She is passionate about working alongside teachers and school leaders to develop inclusive, effective practice that supports all learners to thrive.

In her current role as a SEND Lead Practitioner, Jacqui provides bespoke support to schools across the East Midlands. She also delivers training as part of the NPQ SENCo, the Be Ready Apprenticeship Programme, and Teaching Assistant apprenticeship programmes, where she enjoys sharing her expertise and working collaboratively with colleagues.

Jemma

With over a decade of experience as a teacher, SENDCo and senior leader, Jemma now designs and delivers training across primary and secondary phases, supports the SENDCo Network and works as a Specialist Teacher for Leicestershire County Council. Having been involved in the NASENCO delivery in Oxfordshire, she’s enjoying working with L.E.A.D as one of the NPQ facilitators

Ami

Ami brings over a decade of experience in the teaching profession, specialising in secondary science. Throughout her career, Ami has held a range of leadership positions, including Head of House, Head of Department, and Assistant Headteacher. These roles have provided her with extensive experience across both pastoral and academic leadership.

As an Assistant Headteacher, Ami led on several whole-school priorities, including behaviour, assessment, and examinations. Her predominant passion has always been in leading teaching and learning and driving professional development. This commitment has seen her serve as a SCITT Coordinator and ECT Induction Tutor, supporting colleagues at various stages of their professional journey.

In her current role as Programme Coordinator for Lincolnshire SCITT, Ami designs and delivers training across both secondary and primary phases. She is a research-informed practitioner, dedicated to helping others grow and thrive. Teacher development is incredibly important to Ami, and she feels privileged to facilitate on the NPQLTD, sharing her experience of leading professional development and inspiring others to lead with confidence.

Paul

I have always been deeply passionate about education, in both its theoretical and practical contexts. Throughout my career, I have recognised education as a unique profession where similar strategies can be employed to support and develop both children and colleagues effectively. My primary objective has always been to ensure the delivery of the highest quality education to every child with whom I’ve worked with, whether directly or indirectly. When working with adults in school settings, I’ve viewed them also as an extension of my own class and take pride in supporting their development into highly effective educators and leaders. Many of whom have gone on to lead schools themselves. 

I have been privileged to serve as Headteacher at two schools in Lincolnshire over a period of 25 years. Alongside this, I've taken on various educational roles and contributed to school improvement efforts, such as working as a CfBT advisor, a School Improvement Partner, and participating in multiple projects and initiatives. Being rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2014 led to my accreditation as a National Leader of Education, which gave me further opportunities to support schools, teachers, and leaders - a commitment I continue to enjoy in my work as an educational consultant.