CEO Welcome
Meet our Team
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Alison Bickle
Principal of The de Ferrers Academy
“I wholeheartedly believe in the Trust values of ‘Work hard, be kind, choose wisely’. The fantastic staff and students are what makes our Trust unique.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Steve Hall
Principal of The Pingle Academy
“Working within a Trust enables expert support to be given at the time it is needed! The support of colleagues across the Trust who face the same challenges has been something I have valued greatly.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Joanne Lowe
Principal of Richard Wakefield C.E. Primary Academy
“Teaching and working with children has been a passion of mine from an early age. Working within The de Ferrers Trust allows me to support all children to seize every opportunity available to them, to be proud of everything they achieve and to watch them grow and flourish as they follow their school journey.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Michelle Oliphant
Principal of Granville Academy
“Every day at Granville Academy, we aspire to be the best version of ourselves at all times. My staff and students make me smile, they make me proud and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else as we are all committed to excellence and achieving the best for our students within our care. To be part of something special, is to be part of The de Ferrers Trust””
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Claire Shaw
Executive Principal of Lansdowne Infant and Eton Park Junior
“It is a privilege to be part of The de Ferrers Trust, working alongside colleagues to ensure that every child and young person in our care receives an inspirational education alongside a range of wider curriculum opportunities to enable them to become lifelong learners.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Roz Winter
Principal of Horninglow Primary
“I wholeheartedly believe in the Trust values that every child should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential regardless of their ability or background. I am honoured to be a part of a team, as Principal at Horninglow Primary School, which affords me the position to aspire to achieve this”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Pardeep Dhami
Trust Head of Finance
“My passion in life is learning and empowering others to be the best they can be, delivering a service that has a positive impact.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Jamie Hawkins
Trust Lettings Manager
“I am a people person and love forging relationships with colleagues, school staff, members of the wider community and customers alike. My role rewards me with the opportunity to engage with a wide range of people and this is something that I thoroughly enjoy.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Clare Hodson-Walker
Trust Governance Manager
“Working with Directors and Governors across The de Ferrers Trust enables me to work with each of our academies; supporting, questioning and challenging to make sure that we provide all of our students with the best educational opportunities that we can.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Mark Hurst
Trust Early Help Services Manager
“My aim for the Trust Early Help Service is for the service to effectively support students and their families providing stability, increased knowledge supporting emerging needs through a holistic approach. Bringing the community and schools together to support each other to grow and flourish.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Lauren Newport
Trust Safeguarding and Compliance Manager
“Now in joining The De Ferrers Trust, I am poised to continue my work as an agent for change and development. With an unwavering dedication to embedding safeguarding strategies reflective of the Trust's values, I am eager to cultivate a culture of unwavering commitment safeguarding and children's welfare. I am looking forward to working closely with the academies, children and families alike.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Hannah Mason
Trust Finance Manager
“Working in education is very fulfilling. I love that as a Trust, we work together as one big team and each member of staff – whether they are teaching staff or support staff - does their own bit to contribute to the education that the children within our schools receive.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Rhiannon Mayne
Trust HR Manager
“I am passionate about working in education. Through collaborative working in the Trust we strive to be ‘a great place to work’ and ensure the contributions we make benefit the children in our care.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Brenda Parker
ECT and ITT Trust Lead
““I strongly believe that education brings with it the responsibility to prepare the young people in our care for happiness and success in their adult lives.””
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Nigel Stubbs
Trust Estates Compliance Manager
“Working in the Educational sector is rewarding: every day is different and you are never sure what challenges you will be presented with. I enjoy working with people and feel that I can make a positive impact on students' experiences within our schools, creating a safe and inviting environment for teaching and learning.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Nazia Odud
Trust Finance Officer
“Working in education gives me a rewarding feeling. It is satisfying to see the impact I make on the children‘s learning and wellbeing even though I have no direct contact with them.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Rebecca Upton
Executive Assistant to the Trust Executive Team
“Working for the Trust is inspiring and rewarding. I truly enjoy working with a team of passionate individuals who want the best for the students within our Trust.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Emily Holmes
Trust HR Assistant
“It’s a pleasure to work with a team who are passionate about providing the best education for the children in our care. The professionals I work with are truly inspiring.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Greg Hughes
Trust Leader for Digital Strategy
“Working at The de Ferrers Trust has allowed me to develop my passion for learning technologies and become a global leader and advocate for change.”
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Nicola Townsend
Trust Leader for Management Information
“Don’t let a fear of failure stop you from trying.”
A Family of Schools
The de Ferrers Trust is a mixed multi-academy trust based in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The trust currently consists of seven schools (three secondaries and four primaries). The trust educates approximately 5000 children and young people between the ages of 3 and 19 and employs 600 members of staff.
View All
The de Ferrers Academy
Principal / Alison Bickle
Trent Campus St Mary's Drive, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire View Profile
