Suzanne Beston - Head of Perry Wood

Suzanne has been teaching for 22 years in the primary sector. She has worked predominately in Sandwell, only recently relocating to Worcestershire. Suzanne has taught in 4 schools and has been a subject leader in many areas, ranging from DT, Maths, ICT and RE. She rapidly became a member of the senior leadership team taking a more active role in whole school initiatives. Assessment, attendance and parental engagement have been key areas that she has improved over the years. Mathematics has been her strength and she was a leading maths teacher in Sandwell for many years. Suzanne has been a Deputy Head Teacher for 10 years in 2 schools. Her passion is to engage pupils in active learning; designing curriculums that are inspiring and purposeful and finding ways to involve parents further in their child’s learning. Suzanne was a keen sportswoman in her younger days, in which she played in her school netball team and was a competitive swimmer. She values the importance of finding each child’s talents, seeking to create a school environment where pupil talents are celebrated and recognised alongside core curriculum subject talents. Suzanne is a strong believer in growing the talents of her own team to ensure everyone is reaching their true potential.

Mark Bland - Joint Head of Nicholas Chamberlaine

Carrie Clare - Executive Head of Park Lane & Race Leys

Carrie joined Park Lane Primary & Nursery School as Head in April 2018. After starting her teaching career in 1998 she quickly progressed through Senior Leadership. As school partnerships grew, Carrie became Executive Head of a federation of schools and the founder of a small Multi- Academy Trust. Carrie has a strong belief that the children should be at the heart of all decisions made by school leaders. She recognises that children only get one chance at Primary Education and this inspires her vision and values. Carrie believes that school to school support and strong partnerships are essential to maximise the educational opportunities for children and communities.

Graham Clifford - Head of Lammas

A published poet, Graham began his teaching career in 2003, with his school leadership roles beginning in 2009. Graham initially joined Willow Brook in 2014, was appointed Head of School in Summer 2015, and is now Head of Lammas School & Sixth Form. Graham has a career to date that includes extensive school improvement and development and he has an absolute commitment to driving forward improvements in provision for all children. His work in the field of CPD illustrates his commitment to the ethos that investment in staff is vital.

Justin Creasey - Joint Head of Nicholas Chamberlaine

Justin has leadership experience in primary and secondary schools as a Head, Executive Head and School Improver. A maths specialist, he has a keen interest in pedagogy and curriculum innovation and since joining GST, he has worked with schools to make sustainable step changes in outcomes and to speed their journeys to Griffin Great. Justin believes in developing ambitious and dynamic learning cultures by creating inspiring environments, where everyone feels a sense of belonging and pride. A former professional dancer and musician, Justin plays the French horn with a London Wind Band and a semi-professional London Orchestra.

Lucie Dawn - Head of School for Willow Brook

A graduate of the Open University, Lucie began her teaching career at Riverley Primary, building on invaluable experience gained as a Teaching Assistant. Lucie passionately believes that access to a high quality education is a right and not a privilege and she is dedicated to ensuring that children experience a diverse, creative and challenging curriculum. As a GST leader, Lucie has nurtured and developed teachers and uses mentoring, coaching and collaboration to enable colleagues to reach their potential. An English specialist, Lucie has worked across GST primary and secondary schools as an experienced trainer, moderator and English specialist.

Janey Denton - Executive Head of Kingfisher and Saxon Way

Janey has been teaching for sixteen years and spent thirteen of these at her previous school where she was a teacher, Deputy Head and then Acting Head before taking the substantive Headship at Saxon Way. Janey is passionate about improving outcomes and raising aspirations for children. In recent years, she has developed a particular interest in improving teaching and learning through the use of pupil voice. She has found that listening to the thoughts and opinions of children regarding their learning and what they want/need from the curriculum to be very motivating for pupils, teachers and leaders alike. Janey has ridden and owned horses since she was very young. When she has the time, she still likes to compete and enjoys doing local one day events.

Jo Donnellan - Head of Chivenor

Jo is an experienced Head and School Improver, who was a Graduate of the Future Leaders 'Fast Track to Headship' programme. Her degree in engineering led her to a career in education as a secondary maths teacher, where she changed the mindsets of pupils who were reluctant mathematicians. Her love of primary headship comes from a deep held desire to change the lives of young people and to create an aspirational school culture where everyone can succeed. Jo was herself educated in Birmingham and is proud to be the Head of Chivenor Primary.

Sara Gascoigne - Head of School for Kingfisher

Sara has been teaching for 20 years both in the UK and overseas, which has provided her with a rich and valuable perspective on the world, and of education. Sara places effective communication and language at the heart of her teaching and leadership to ensure she builds effective relationships with all stakeholders, developing confidence and success. Her Yorkshire roots and driven work ethic ensure she fosters a love of learning for all her pupils, so that they want to learn and be the best they can be. Sara is passionate about aspiration, and firmly believes all pupils can achieve. She encourages her school community to constantly look to improve and grow in a safe and challenging environment. After returning from Singapore, she joined Kingfisher Primary School in September 2013, and having been Assistant and Deputy Head, is now extremely proud to be Head of School.

Matt Gilbert - Joint Head of Stantonbury

Matt is an experienced Deputy Head, Head and School Improver who is committed to developing people to work as individuals within a school community and his belief in coaching and mentoring has enabled him to create empowered teams of professionals. Matt brings a deep knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy, and a wealth of experience in pastoral provision to his role of Joint Head at Stantonbury International School.

Lisa Guest - Head of Bramford

Lisa began teaching in 1994 and has taught in two schools before taking on the Head of Bramford role towards the end of 2016. She was a subject leader in her first year of teaching and quickly moved through leadership roles of head of year, key stage, assistant head, deputy before taking on an acting headship. Lisa’s whole teaching career has been in poor socio-economic communities where she has a passion for offering a wide range of experiences and opportunities for all pupils, whilst raising aspirations and achievement. Assessment and curriculum have also always been at the heart of her school improvement initiatives. Lisa is a firm believer in team work and that ‘together we improve’ this stems from her sports background. Sport is still one of her passions, especially football and golf. However, many would say shopping and holidays are also her main hobbies. Lisa is driven to do all she can to ensure her school has happy children and staff, helping everyone of them reach their potential, to find skills and talents within each of them and developing them. She wants learning to be non-stop and where everyone cannot wait for the next day to begin.

Jayne Lusinski - Head of Lordswood

Jayne trained as a secondary school teacher, specialising in Mathematics and PE and taught for 27 years in one school gaining experience in many areas of leadership, developing an interest in the curriculum and timetabling and taking a key role in safeguarding children. Jayne is passionate about engaging parents in their child’s education and promoting a variety of activities for children to experience within the curriculum. Jayne was seconded to Lordswood to support the leadership team in Feb 2014 and was appointed to Head of School in April 2015.

Alison Ramsay - Joint Head of Stantonbury

Alison is a modern foreign languages graduate who has a passion for leading ambitious school communities and opening up the world to its students. As an experienced Secondary Head, Executive Head and School Improver, Alison has developed teams, mentored new leaders and supported schools through significant periods of change. Her belief in championing every young person, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is at the heart of everything she does. Alison is an advocate for promoting sports and arts provision, and celebrating the achievements of young people in these areas.

Sabrina Reilly - Head of School for Riverley

Sabrina began her teaching career in Ireland and was then delighted to join the Riverley team when she relocated to the UK. Sabrina has nurtured talent by leading the Griffin NQT programme for the past three years, enabling newly qualified teachers to become confident practitioners. Many of her mentees are now taking up leadership roles, having benefited from being part of this dynamic learning community. Sabrina’s determination that the needs of every child should inform all decisions, have led her to develop the curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that define a Griffin Great school.

Angela Sandow - Head of School for Saxon Way

Angela joined Saxon Way as Deputy Head in September 2013 after 20 years experience at another school. Throughout her career, Angela has embarked on a journey of self-development starting as a teaching assistant, completing a teaching degree and a Registered Teacher Programme, becoming a phase leader, assistant head and an interim Deputy Head. Her thirst for knowledge and development continued and she successfully became Head of School at Saxon Way in April 2015. Before beginning her career in education, Angela was a social worker for Surrey County Council. A background that she finds very useful when working with the many vulnerable families in the school.

Gemma Sant - Executive Head of Riverley & Willow Brook

Gemma began teaching in 2009 and joined the leadership team at Riverley as an Assistant Head in 2013. Gemma has a keen interest in teaching and learning and has achieved a Masters in Education. She believes that schools should inspire learning in children whilst educating them to grow into independent, confident and accomplished young people. Through her leadership, Gemma is committed to the coaching and professional development of her colleagues paving the way for further progress in the field of education.