DoE
Lizzie has been a teacher for more than 20 years and has significant experience of school improvement, including central leadership roles in a contextually challenging, inner-city school that moved from Requires Improvement to Good. She taught in schools in Bristol and Plymouth before coming to Devon to join The Link Academy Trust as Academy Head of Harbertonford C of E Primary School in 2016. Lizzie subsequently took on the role of Executive Academy Head across both Harbertonford and Diptford in January 2018, leading both schools on a journey of improvement to achieve ‘Good’ Ofsted outcomes and a ‘Good’ SIAMs at Harbertonford.
Lizzie’s previous role as Academy Trust School Standards & Educational Outcomes Lead enabled Trust capacity to support a number of schools in terms of school improvement and in preparation for the next leader. Lizzie supports Academy Heads to achieve better outcomes for pupils and has run NQT/Early Career training and HLTA training programmes across the Trust.
Lizzie has a BEd Hons degree with a specialism in English. She has achieved the NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) and is working towards her NPQEL (Executive Leader).
Lizzie has more recently moved into the role of Director of Education, heading up the Executive Improvement Team.
DoSI
Andy is part of the Executive Improvement Team with responsibility for standards and outcomes across the Trust. Andy was previously Academy Head at Tedburn St Mary which has continued to excel since it joined the Link in March 2018. Under the leadership of Andy, the high standards demonstrated within the school have ensured the very best outcomes for all pupils and with the support of the Trust, high quality CPD is available to all staff and has enabled them to grow and become even more effective leaders within school.
In his role as standards and outcomes lead across the Trust, Andy has seen all our schools move to a bespoke data platform that ensures consistency and effectiveness across schools. He supports schools and Academy Heads in quality assuring their data, with the emphasis on high expectations for all learners. Within his role he works closely with the EIT in supporting both existing schools and schools that join the Trust. They robustly analyse available data to ensure a clear picture of every individual academy’s pupil progress and educational outcomes, this enables them to offer support accordingly.
Andy says "I am proud to be part of such a dedicated, supportive, professional team who work to ensure the best outcomes and opportunities for all our pupils".
DoSI
Director of Safeguarding (DoS)
With the CEO and as part of the Executive Improvement Team, the DoS will agree and monitor the highest quality Safeguarding procedures, protocols and record keeping in all Academies to ensure all children are kept safe.
DoS
Alex is the Director of Safeguarding and Academy Head for Moretonhampstead Primary School.
Alex fully believes in inclusive education and she has 25 years of teaching experience in a range of schools with additional facilities for SEND. She is passionate about meaningful learning and catering for the ‘whole’ child, whilst achieving the very best academic results.
In her role as DoS, Alex supports Academy Heads and Safeguarding Leads across the trust to ensure best practice and support in all aspects of Safeguarding. She offers regular safeguarding updates, safeguarding audits, tailored support and a confidential sounding board. Alex also works closely with Local Boards and the Trustees.
Alex has a BAQTS (July 1995), NPQH (2003) and National SENCO award (2020). She has had a range of leadership roles in schools developing different phases and teams in schools in Cumbria, Leeds and Devon. Alex was an invaluable part of the leadership team who moved a school from Requires Improvement to Outstanding in just over 2 years. (March 2016)
Alex has a background in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education. She has led numerous teenagers on expeditions to developing countries across the world. Alex enjoys time with her two boys, walking, cycling and running. She is organised, positive, energetic and has a solution focussed attitude.
DoI
Fran has been working in primary education since qualifying with a BEd Hons degree from Leicester in 1987 (Early Years specialism) and has worked across a range of city and rural primary schools in Hampshire and Devon. She has worked in senior leadership for many years and was previously the Academy Head at Sparkwell Primary School since 2015, developing this school from a newly opened Free School to the inclusive and successful school it is today. She has the NPQH (2012) and a Masters Degree in coaching (Marjons, 2013) and has been a SENCo for almost 20 years with a passion to ensure all children get the best education in a nurturing, inclusive environment. She is also a qualified counsellor for children and young people and uses her counselling skills to ensure families, staff and children have a voice.