Directors (Trustees)
Mrs June Roberts
Chair of Directors
Worked alongside the Leadership Team of the MAT since its inception. Previously worked with the Executive Headteacher and the Leadership Team at a strategic level for more than 25 years. I hold the National Professional Qualification for Headship and chose to develop my role at St. Bede rather than take up headship myself. Extremely experienced teacher through all primary age ranges. My wealth of experience includes being strategic Director of St. Bede C of E Primary Academy, St. Bede Primary MAT and St. Bede Childcare, taking part in SLE interviews, ‘deep dives’ and other Ofsted-related programmes, data analysis, quality assurance roles and observations. I was the branch secretary for the Bolton Branch of the NAHT before retirement and the Chair of the local cluster group for many years.
Mr Graham Cohen
Vice-Chair of Directors
Qualified in June 2015 (BA Hons in Primary Education with QTS), with a long career in working in education, particularly within Church of England primary schools and academies. Worked within numerous schools and year groups, gaining essential knowledge of the challenges within the education sector and what is expected of schools, to be able to provide an outstanding education. Additional role as a youth theatre director (for over 25 years), which provides useful skills in terms of planning, presenting and problem-solving. Was an installation manager for seven years; encompassed annual project management of £18m budget, where cost control, project planning and liaising with colleagues were essential to the success of each task. This combination of educational knowledge and business acumen ensures Graham can operate at a strategic level within the MAT Board.
Mrs Sarah Bagshaw
Chief Executive Officer
Worked within the Education sector nationally and within St. Bede at a strategic level for over 15 years. Upholds the Christian ethos of the MAT and ensures Christianity underpins the MAT Mission. Manages the organisation's overall operations, including development of the Trust, educational excellence, marketing, communications, and financial sustainability. Develops and approves strategies to meet Members', parents', children's, educational agencies', and employees' needs. Communicates with people inside and outside the organisation to discover what policies, operational and marketing strategies will help the Trust move forward. Created project teams to lead the development of the MAT, from St. Bede Academy conversion through to the first sponsorship, from initial due diligence to completion of a second academy. Network nationally to benefit the Trust and educational sector as a whole, including advising the House of Commons Select Committee for childcare affordability, being part of the NAHT SBL Committee to challenge the Government on their National Funding Formula, and attending select round table talks with Education Ministers. Advises nationally and locally others looking at converting to academies, including questions to ask, due diligence process and implications. Underpinned by a background as a Chartered Accountant with over 13 years of experience driving successful business operations in various sectors, including a £350m turnover FMCG business, dealing with growth and change management at a strategic and operational level.
Mr Michael Caine
Director
Senior Nat West Bank Manager. Responsibilities include the provision of commercial finance, corporate restructuring solutions, financial analysis, relationship management, service level maintenance and business development. These responsibilities require skills in understanding financial statements, an ability to strip down financial information, understanding credit risk, finding solutions and having interpersonal skills to maintain good business relationships. Previously Chair of St. Bede C of E Primary Academy.
Mr Kevin Barton
Director
An entrepreneur of a successful business encompassing raising finance, product selection, production, sales and marketing. Managerial experience including both staff and contractors. Experienced in health, safety in the workplace and provides advice to the MAT in this area (including food hygiene). Has a background in auto engineering where a strong aptitude in project management and problem solving was essential.
Mr Tony Whitehead
Director
As a qualified Investment Operations Manager, I have worked in the investment industry for over 25 years. In my current role, I am responsible for the oversight of the outsourced investment accounting provider and provide assurance around valuation uncertainty, in addition to ensuring appropriate investment accounting control and expertise and a box management process, conforming with governance processes, supporting the preparation of materials for various forums, analysis of unit pricing errors and supporting the delivery of unit pricing data controls and oversight. More recently, I have been licenced as a Lay Minister (known as a ‘Reader’) at St. Bede Parish Church, so the Christian Distinctiveness of the Trust is very important to me. As well as leading and teaching at Church, I also lead Collective Worship at St. Bede C of E Primary Academy. During my time as a Governor and Chair of Governors at St. Bede, I have built up a knowledge base of educational priorities, as well as what the MAT deems as priorities for the benefit of its staff and pupils; this has placed me in a good position to help lead the strategic direction of the MAT Board.
Mrs Cassandra Allen
Director
My career in Education began in 1996 when I was employed as a Teaching Assistant at Tonge Moor Primary School. This was followed by gaining Qualified Teacher Status with the majority of my teaching experience in Early Years. My keen interest in Special Educational Needs (SEND) was sparked early in my career leading me to follow the path of becoming a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). I studied to achieve the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinator (NASENCO) and have carried out the role at numerous settings including acting as the Early Years SENCo and Executive SENCo. A wealth of knowledge and experience has enabled me to work at a strategic level to drive the inclusion of SEND within mainstream settings including St. Bede and Tonge Moor. My continued passion has led to my current role as a SEND Specialist Outreach Teacher within the Local Authority, all of which underpins my ability to support the Trust at a strategic level in ensuring inclusion for all.
Mr Jonathan Batchelor
Director
Jon qualified as a solicitor over 30 years ago. After a long career as a board member and Operations Director for a large local law firm, he now acts as a consultant to businesses in a variety of sectors (including in the education sector), leading improvement and growth. Jon was previously a governor at a primary school for nine years, and chair of governors for five years. He has also acted as a Local Authority appointed governor for schools seeking to improve. Jon has a great deal of knowledge and experience in driving organisational growth in the education sector and hopes to use both to assist the Trust achieve its objectives.
Miss Alison Abbott
Director
A legal professional with experience in various legal fields. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1998 specialised in conveyancing, wills and probate and licensing law in practices in Preston and Blackpool. Has been in position at HM Land Registry at a senior level as an Assistant Land Registrar since 2003 with a primary duty to deal with legal matters pertaining to land registration law practice. Also formally responds in detail to complaints against HM Land Registry and oversees disputed applications. In addition supports and coaches staff looking to develop knowledge and understanding.
Mr Philip Orth
Director
Phil spent his working career teaching in two local primary schools. He started at St. Thomas C of E School, Halliwell in 1971 and moved to St. Mary’s Deane in 1983 where he spent the rest of his career until retiring in July 2015. Whilst at St. Mary’s, Phil taught mainly in KS2, and also delivered Science and French in KS1. Posts he held included: Assistant Headteacher, Science co-ordinator, I.T. co-ordinator, P.E. co-ordinator, KS2 co-ordinator and MFL co-ordinator. Phil has served on the governing body at St. Mary’s continuously since 1986, as teacher governor and associate governor, and currently holds the position of Vice-Chair. In July 2018, he was approached to become Chair of Governors at Washacre County Primary School and worked alongside a new Headteacher, new staff and a new governing board to transform the school from 'Inadequate' to 'Good', whilst continually trying to improve.