Jonathan is a teacher of Maths and Computing with over 20 years of experience. He has a responsibility for delivering and organising STEM enrichment activities. He has always been interested in technology and is passionate about using it to improve his pupils' educational experience and also to make his life easier!

Amy Charlton is Head of Geography at St Cuthbert’s, with six years of classroom experience. She has a growing interest in the use of AI to support teaching and learning, particularly in adapting resources to better meet the needs of students with SEND. In her role, Amy is committed to developing inclusive practice across her department and exploring innovative approaches that enhance accessibility and student engagement within geography.

Dale is Head of Computer Science at Sacred Heart High School, bringing over 10 years’ experience in education alongside a further decade working with the MoD. As a key member of the Teaching and Learning Team, he has spearheaded the school’s developments in AI in education, including developing CPD around the school’s AI policy and supporting staff in understanding how emerging technologies can be used responsibly and effectively to improve teaching, learning and wider school practice.

Sarah has been teaching for 23 years (Performing Arts and RE) and has led the RE department at St Benet Biscop since 2023. She also contributes to leadership of Catholic Life of the school with the most recent inspection judgement (Jan 2026) moving from the school to Outstanding.

Antonia has been teaching RE for 7 years and has been in the post of Assistant Subject Leader for 3 years. In addition to leading KS3 curriculum design in RE, she is part of the whole school teaching and learning leadership group and regularly contributes to whole school CPD.

Martin is a Physics teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience and a long-standing interest in the use of IT tools to support teaching and learning.  He has responsibility at Sacred Heart High School for supporting teachers in the effective implementation of such tools - providing CPD to ensure staff are confident in implementing tools such as Brainscape with their students.

Ron spent almost a decade leading and supporting business and education teams at Apple in the UK, EMEA, APAC and the US and almost 4 years in a Microsoft Development team.

Recognising his passion for sharing leadership skills and ideas, he has spent the last few years as a successful certified leadership consultant through his company, People Pathways. He helps teams develop their leadership skills and strategies, in a range of themes, including conflict resolution, communication ideals, change management, influence, persuasion, and coaching skills. He founded the AI Skills company Frontier Training in 2025, to work with teams on the growing need to adopt digital AI tools in education and industry, using a low-tech, people first learning style, alongside insightful AI practices.

Louisa has been a teacher of History at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy for 8 years. For the past 6 years Louisa has been involved in projects and pilot schemes run by Newcastle University focussing on debate and oracy. Working closely with Voice 21 to trial oracy strategies into KS5 as well as University stage 1 and 2. These projects have been very successful, and this work is now expanding across KS3 and 4 as well as into school CPD.

Alison is the Deputy Headteacher and Mathematics Lead at St Aidan's in Wallsend. She is also a Trust Mathematics Specialist Support Teacher. She has led Mathematics over a period of time that has seen considerable changes in all aspects of the subject in her own school. Alison has led these changes supported by a wide range of quality, evidence-based research and innovation.  She has been involved in work led by the Great North Maths Hub for many years as part of a wide range of teacher research groups. Alison has taught throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage One and has a great commitment to ensuring that children get the best possible start to their school career.

Owen is an RE teacher and Deputy Curriculum Leader for RE (KS5 coordinator) and has been teaching at St. Thomas More North Shields since graduating from the Sacred Heart SCITT in 2022. He has a particular interest in strategies that maximise participation ratios and sustain student attention in lessons. As an Oracy Champion at St. Thomas More, he has delivered CPD to staff around the potential for high-quality oracy to facilitate learning.

Caroline is Deputy Curriculum Leader for RE (KS3 Coordinator) at St. Thomas More North Shields and has been teaching since completing the Carmel SCITT programme in 2021. Over the years, she has led the development and implementation of the KS3 RE curriculum. She is focused on creating an inclusive curriculum with tasks that maximise participation in lessons. She has also led CPD across departments on modelling and reading, looking at how these strategies can support student engagement.

Clare is an English teacher and Teaching and Learning Lead at St Thomas More Catholic High School. She is currently working with a team of teachers to harness the power of learning talk in all classrooms through an oracy-rich curriculum. Clare also delivers CPD nationally on behalf of the National Literacy Trust and English subject associations.

Sarah Fowler:

Sarah Fowler is the SENCO across St Michael’s and SS Peter and Paul’s Primary, with teaching experience spanning Early Years to Key Stage 2. She is passionate about supporting children’s communication skills, and the school’s focus on oracy has further strengthened her commitment to empowering all learners, particularly vulnerable groups.

Sarah Brophy:

Sarah Brophy is the Y5 class teacher and Science Lead.  She is committed to developing pupils’ oracy skills to strengthen enquiry-based learning. Sarah fosters confidence, curiosity, and precise scientific communication, enabling pupils to think and speak like scientists. Through purposeful discussion and investigation, she strives for pupils to recognise and apply the skills, language, and critical thinking required across scientific professions.

Adam Winskill:

Adam is a Key Stage 2 teacher with five years of classroom experience and is currently developing his knowledge in educational leadership. He leads Humanities at St Michael’s, where he has recently focused on embedding oracy strategies within the curriculum to strengthen retrieval of prior learning and promote high-quality discussion and debate. Alongside this, Adam has a longstanding interest in digital leadership and is passionate about the effective integration of digital and emerging technologies within teaching and learning. He actively explores innovative approaches to enhance his own practice and support colleagues in developing their use of technology across the curriculum.

Nichola Swan is Assistant Headteacher: Head of Inclusion and SENDCo at St Thomas More Catholic High school and previously worked as SENDCo at Sacred Heart Catholic High School. For the past two years she has also held the role of Trust SENDCo. She is passionate about inclusive practice and improving outcomes for learners and committed to ensuring every child feels supported, valued and able to thrive.

Abbie has worked as a Primary SENCo for the past eight years and, for the last three years, has also held the role of Trust SENCo. She feels privileged to have the opportunity to work across schools within the trust, supporting and collaborating with SENCos to help ensure inclusive practice and positive outcomes for all pupils. Abbie is passionate about building strong relationships, sharing good practice, and championing the needs of children with SEND across our schools.

James Turnbull has been teaching for over 15 years and has held a range of pastoral, curriculum and leadership roles, including Head of Year, Head of Physics, Head of Science and Associate Senior Lead Teacher. He is currently Assistant Headteacher – Sixth Form at St Mary’s Catholic School and Science Curriculum Lead across the Trust. James is passionate about raising aspiration for all students, particularly those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable, and is committed to creating opportunities that help young people grow academically, personally and holistically, so they develop the confidence, character and ambition to flourish.

Rebecca is Deputy Headteacher at St Catherine’s Primary School. She is passionate about supporting staff to embed effective, research-informed teaching and learning approaches. This year, she has worked closely with colleagues across the trust on a collaborative teaching and learning project involving multiple primary schools.