School Improvement Services

Steve Ellis, NLE and CEO, Cheshire Academies Trust.        

Steve has worked as a National Leader of Education for 10 years supporting a wide variety of schools in challenging circumstances.

He has experience working in four different primary schools (both rural, urban and academy) in three different local authorities. Between 2013 and 2015, he worked as an additional Ofsted inspector for CfBT inspection services. He is the proud full time CEO for the Cheshire Academies Trust.

Kate Doyle, School Improvement Director, Cheshire Academies Trust               

Kate is a creative & strategic thinker, committed to providing an ambitious, equal and diverse education for all. Kate has a long history of school improvement, staff training and school to school support, at a local and national level. She has worked on national strategies as well as having held a supportive school improvement role within the Local Authority for many years.

Kate also co-facilitates the NPQSL Programme on behalf of the Cheshire Teaching School Hub and Best Practice.

Andrea Curran, professional Development Director, Cheshire Academies Trust.  

Andrea has extensive experience in education, teaching in three schools in social priority areas, supporting teachers in two LAs as an Advisory Teacher, leading strategically as Head of Early Years, Statutory Assessment to KS1, Curriculum & Research, Assistant Director, as well as supporting LAs regionally as a National Strategies Regional Director.

Andrea has also travelled internationally to explore world renowned practice in the Early Years and has worked as an advisor for the UAE government, Education Ministry for Northern Ireland, Morroco, and baselined schools in Malaysia. Andrea was also involved in working to establish the largest Trailblazer SureStart and is passionate about the impact education has as a tool to transform children’s lives.

Andrea also co-facilitates the NPQSL Programme on behalf of the Cheshire Teaching School Hub and Best Practice.

Emily Armstrong, Headteacher Bexton Primary School and Safeguarding Strategic Lead, Cheshire Academies Trust.  

Emily started her teaching career in 2004 and throughout that time has worked in leadership positions in three very different schools.

She has experience of working with children and staff in all Primary Key Stages as well as Leading KS3 English in a British School in Bahrain.

Emily co-facilitates the NPQEYL Programme on behalf of the Cheshire Academies Trust and Best Practice

Katie Hetherington, Deputy Headteacher, Mill View Primary School, SLE and Equalities Strategic Lead, Cheshire  Academies Trust   

Katie is an experienced teacher having worked in multiple schools throughout her career, teaching EYFS through to Year 6.  She has been a subject leader across foundation and core subjects, showing specialisms in English and Curriculum Development.  She has a passion for supporting subject leaders to drive change and accelerate achievement within their subject areas, enabling them to identify the priorities of development needed within their curriculum and implement these with accountability and structure. The systems she has used to do this have been proven across a number of subject areas. Through her work as an English Specialist teacher and as an SLE for over 5 years, she has shown an infectious enthusiasm for improving standards and an ability to empower subject leaders with the skills and focus needed to drive change.