Jo Porteous

After completing my university education, I worked in a variety of roles in the water industry including auditing the income base and billing.  After having children I undertook a variety of roles both paid and supporting the community, including book-keeping for local businesses and Treasurer to a village toddler group.  I then spent ten years working in education administration at Waterhouses CE Primary.  I joined the Central Finance Team in February 2023 and am looking forward to using my skills and knowledge to support QEGSMAT as it continues to grow.

Tracy Adams

I joined the Finance department within the central team at QEGSMAT in March 2023.  My previous roles include working within the healthcare e-learning sector and in the NHS.  I’m looking forward to this new challenging role and my focus will be to support the Finance Manager in all their responsibilities in relation to managing the assets of the Trust. 

Jo Shenton

I joined the QEGSMAT HR Department in January 2023, having worked within an office environment for over 30 years.  I have worked in HR in retail for 9 years and the last 7 years for the NHS in a GP Surgery.  I am excited to restart my HR journey within an education setting at QEGSMAT, developing my knowledge and skillset.

John Harrison

I have worked in facilities management for the last 16 years, having moved into education from a leisure background approximately six years ago.  I have a passion for delivering safe, user friendly environments to pupils, staff and visitors to academy sites.  I am keen to embrace technology, in both the modernisation of academy sites and the monitoring of health and safety across the Trust. I believe in the vision of QEGSMAT and am looking forward to being part of the team moving forward and continually improve sites to offer the best possible outcomes for pupils in our care.

Vicky Hall

Over the last 19 years of teaching, 12 of which have been in senior leadership positions, I have demonstrated a passion for ensuring excellent educational provision for all students, with a value set which strives for this regardless of socio-economic context. I have worked across a range of settings, from outstanding secondary schools to Pupil Referral Units; from teacher through to Headteacher. As a science specialist I enjoy inspiring young people to be the next generation of scientists and engineers, nurses and veterinary surgeons. As a member of the Central Team of QEGSMAT I am excited to continue to see young people be inspired across the Trust to become intelligent, educated, compassionate adults. 
 
I have extensive experience leading and improving teaching and learning, quality assurance and CPD. For the past 10 years I have also been the Designated Safeguarding Lead, possessing a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding of both pupils and staff. Within my role at QEGSMAT I am the Trust Designated Safeguarding Lead.
 
The Director of Education role enables me to work collaboratively with Headteachers, the Central Team, school leadership teams and teaching staff to continue driving up standards of teaching and learning; as well as supporting and leading quality assurance; facilitating and designing personalised professional training; and developing leadership at all levels, which was the focus of my Masters in Education.
 
As an alumni of QEGS and having completed my teacher training placement at the predecessor to CoDA, I am very proud and humbled to be returning to become an integral part of the central team, and work closely with all staff and schools within our Trust.

Dominic Hudson

I have worked in education as a teacher, leader, coach and author for over fifteen years. I have always been passionate about creating conditions where all children benefit from an exciting curriculum, whilst developing their desire for, and, love of learning.

My subject specialism is mathematics. I have taught 11 to 18 year olds in three large secondary schools across Derby city and Derbyshire. In addition to teaching, I have also worked on many exciting projects: I have been an ambassador for the National Centre for the Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), had my teaching videoed to launch the regional Maths Hubs across the UK and have worked on international projects developing the teaching and learning of students’ problem solving skills with numerous countries including the USA, South Africa and several European countries. I am currently the External Examiner for the School of Education at the University of Nottingham, assessing their initial teacher education programmes.

I have vast experience in senior leadership driving forward school improvement, focussing primarily on ensuring that teaching, learning and the curriculum offer is right for each and every student. I know the importance of classroom focussed professional development and enjoy working collaboratively with teachers and leaders to maximise student outcomes in the broadest of senses. I am an active member of Japanese lesson study cycles – a process that considers all aspects of student learning, crucial to development of their knowledge, skills and understanding. I have been fortunate to experience lesson study in Tokyo and have since performed the role of Koshi across the UK. Lesson study was also the main focus of my Master’s Degree.

I am relishing the next exciting challenge in my career working closely with the central team, leaders and teachers within the QEGSMAT academies and wider partnerships, to give all of our students the best opportunities both whilst they are at school and in their future lives.

Chris Shaw

I joined the QEGSMAT HR Department in November 2021 after being employed with Derbyshire County Council for fifteen years where I worked as a Day Service Worker, Deputy Unit Manager of two Day Centres and supported-living establishments and finally a Project Officer (in the Adult Care Quality and Compliance Team).  I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to officially start a career in HR; building on my current HR experience gained through the above non-HR roles.  Having nearly completed my Level 3 CIPD qualification, I am working towards gaining my Level 5 – further developing my knowledge, skillset and support to the central QEGSMAT team.

Chloe Watson

I joined the QEGSMAT team in October 2021, as a Finance Assistant. Having worked in the financial sector for five years, I am excited to continue developing my skills and knowledge whilst supporting the team.

Angela Stephenson

As the Trust Data Manager I am responsible for ensuring data is coherent across the all QEGSMAT schools to support school improvement. I have 12 years’ experience working in the education sector. Though I started my journey as a specialist teaching assistant I found that I have an aptitude for working with school systems/solutions and I migrated across to data and information management. I have gained a great wealth of knowledge in many areas of business management in schools and how these areas all interlink. I feel that improving systems, data integrity, communication and efficiency is integral in facilitating a school community to improve and succeed.  My genuine passion is supporting school staff to make a difference to children’s lives by ensuring key information is readily available and intelligible.

Sharon Taylor

With over thirty years experience in the Administration/PA role I am responsible for providing support to the CEO, Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees.  As a member of the QEGSMAT Central Team I am continually developing my knowledge and experience whilst hoping to deliver a proficient service to all.