ATTIGO ACADEMY TRUST
Meet The Team
Attigo Academy Trust is made up of a collaboration of professionals and experts who set, deliver and are accountable for, the vision and strategy of the Trust.
In addition, each academy also has a Local Governing Board (LGB) who play a crucial role in helping their academies and children to thrive.
Catherine Lane MA, NPQH
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine has served as Headteacher of two schools in the Trust, Keys Meadow and Houndsfield. She was appointed as Deputy Headteacher at Keys Meadow before it opened in September 2003 and played a key role in establishing the school prior to being appointed Headteacher, initially in a job share and then in a full time capacity.
The school was commended by Nick Gibb, Schools Minister, as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country. She was appointed Headteacher of Houndsfield Primary School in the Summer term 2019. She took a lead role in school improvement and Academy conversion.
Prior to working at Keys Meadow Catherine worked at Equinox Converged Solutions, the network provider for London Grid for Learning, as their Education Relationship Manager for two years. This provided valuable business experience. She also has experience of teaching and leadership in Hertfordshire and Barnet. She was appointed CEO of the Trust in the Autumn term 2022.
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Helen Thomas BEd, NPQH
Headteacher
Helen joined Alma Primary School as Headteacher in September 2012. At that time the school was categorised as ‘Requires Improvement’. In 2015, under Helen’s leadership the school was graded ‘Good’ with an ‘Outstanding’ for Early Years. The most recent inspection in February 2023, gave the school an overall judgement of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ for Early Years, Personal Development and Behaviour and Attitudes.
Prior to working at Alma, Helen worked in a Newham school where as Deputy Head Teacher, she had responsibility for Literacy, Safeguarding, Curriculum Development and CPD, supporting the school in moving from serious weakness to ‘Outstanding’. Helen has extensive experience of working in partnership with a number of schools to improve standards including undertaking School Reviews. She is also a member and the current Chair of the School’s Forum, a statutory advisory body for finance.
Frances Ward BA (Hons) PGCE
Headteacher
Frances is currently Head Teacher at Worcesters Primary School. She has 25 years’ experience of working in schools across Enfield. She has been a Senior Leader for more than 20 years as Head of Early Years and Head of Key Stage 1. She was part of the Senior Leadership team during the last Ofsted inspection and, under her leadership, Early Years was judged to be outstanding.
Frances specialises in the acquisition of reading skills, she is a trained reading recovery teacher and an accredited trainer of Inference Training, providing support for schools within the Local Authority.
Frances is an advocate for promoting healthy active lifestyles for children and has obtained the Healthy Schools Gold Award for Worcesters, the first school in Enfield to obtain this. Frances has also supported other local schools in applying for this award.
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Alison Martin BSc (Hons) PGCE
Headteacher for School Improvement
Alison has significant experience of school improvement and working with schools in challenging circumstances. She has worked for two local authorities supporting different schools and also in the capacity of Literacy Advisor. She joined Worcesters Primary School in 2011 as Deputy Head Teacher when the school was in a category of ‘Notice to Improve’. Worcesters was graded as ‘Outstanding’ two years later.
Subsequently, Alison was seconded by the Local Authority to be Head of School at Starksfield Primary School, which had received three ‘Requires Improvement’ judgements from Ofsted. Under Alison’s leadership the school moved to ‘Good’. Alison became Head Teacher for School Improvement at Attigo Academy Trust when it was established in 2018. Alison also carries out Ofsted Inspections on behalf of the Department for Education.
Mandy Lawrence BA, NPQH
Headteacher
Mandy has been teaching for 20 years. In this time she has held various leadership positions in schools, leading many subjects and teams across the primary age ranges. She worked with the Local Authority Physical Education Team early on in her career, and led training for teachers in many Enfield schools. Mandy became Headteacher of Keys Meadow Primary School in June 2019 and before that was Deputy Headteacher for 5 years. In 2015 Mandy supported the school to secure an Ofsted grading of good with outstanding Early Years following a judgement of Requires Improvement in 2013.
Mandy has been a Local Authority Moderator for a number of years in Enfield, supporting a large number of teachers across the borough while ensuring judgements of standards are secure at Keys Meadow and across the Trust.
Robert Jenkin, BA, NPQH
Headteacher
Robert joined Houndsfield Primary School on secondment in January 2019 and was appointed as Deputy Head Teacher in September of that year. In September 2022 he became the Head Teacher.
Prior to that, Robert was a Senior Leader at Worcesters Primary School with responsibility for English,
during which time he worked with Enfield to implement the MIDAS Reading Programme including
delivering, training and coaching for staff across the Local Authority.
Robert has a strong interest in the planning of the curriculum and ensuring it matches the context of the school. He is also a music graduate and has a particular interest in music in the primary curriculum, working to ensure children get access to musical opportunities such as singing at the O2 and visiting classical music concerts in the Barbican.
Robert has also been a governor at a number of schools in Enfield.
Linda-May Bingham
CEO of Britannia Education Trust
Linda-May has worked in education in the East End of London for over 25 years. She is currently the CEO of Britannia Education Trust. Previously to this she was the Headteacher at Britannia Village Primary School in Newham. Under Linda-May’s leadership standards increased dramatically for Britannia and in May 2007 the school was judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (and again in 2013) and has had Key Stage 2 SATs results listed in the top 200 schools nationally.
Linda-May was a member of the Royal Society’s Vision for Science and Mathematics Education 5-19 project committee and has also been recognised as one of five headteachers who won the London Education Partnership Awards for ‘Creative Journeys’.
Andrzej Czyrka
Head of IT
Andrzej is currently the Head of IT at North Star Community Trust. Over his career he has worked for many primary and secondary schools and has been a member of the School Improvement Service at the London Borough of Enfield. He is a qualified physics teacher with extensive experience in IT support and data analysis. Andrzej has highly developed skills in problem identification and the implementation of effective solutions. Andrzej took on the role of governor in a school in challenging circumstances as he was keen to support the school in building its academic excellence and providing the best possible learning environment for pupils that attend.
Dalwardin Babu OBE
Former Police Superintendent
After 30 years’ service in the Metropolitan Police working across the UK’s most diverse communities, Dalwardin was awarded the OBE for services to Police and Communities; the London High Sheriff Award and the London Peace Award for Community Engagements.
Since leaving the police, Dalwardin has focused his time and energy on the next generation and community empowerment. He is a member of the Parole Board, a Non Executive Director for the NHS and a Community Development Officer for a school in Tottenham, and Designated Safeguarding Lead for Middlesex County Cricket Club. He is also an adviser to the Mayor of London on Equality and Diversity. He is now a regular contributor on BBC Radio 4/5 and BBC/ITV News on a wide range of policing and community issues.
Pat Wood (Chair of Trustees)
Ex Headteacher and National leader of Education
Pat has over 40 years’ experience in the teaching profession across schools in London. She is currently a Pupil Premium Reviewer and Trainer and an Ambassador and Assessor for the Inclusion Quality Mark.
Whilst being a National Leader of Education, Pat had a proven record of supporting ‘Requires Improvement’ schools and securing improvement, including Ofsted grades. As a Head Teacher she moved her last school, from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ in all aspects. Her school was also a Teaching School, National Support School, Flagship School for the Inclusion Quality Mark and a Hub School for the International Values Education Trust’s Quality Mark.
Jo Fear
Retired Head of Admissions and Attendance
Jo has recently retired after working for the Local Education Authority for over 40 years. Jo was initially in Schools’ HR before moving within the Department to take on responsibility for the implementation of the 1981 Education Act in relation to children and young people with SEN. She then assumed responsibility for the admission of children to all mainstream and special schools in Enfield and became the Head of Admissions and Attendance. Throughout her career, Jo has been committed to ensuring that children and young people are at the centre of the services offered.
Deborah Dykins
Retired Deputy Headteacher
Deborah has lived in Enfield for 45 years working as a teacher, SENCO and a Subject Lead in many schools across Enfield and Haringey and a Deputy Head Teacher in an Enfield four form entry school.
She has also held various positions as a School Governor for over 20 years. Deborah became a Local Authority Governor in 2012 at Alma Primary School becoming Chair of Governors in 2013. She successfully led the Governing Body through the school’s 2015 Ofsted which resulted in a ‘Good’ overall judgement.
Having retired a few years ago, Deborah is kept busy by her four children, in addition to various volunteering posts and generally leading a full, active life. Deborah remains a Governor in various schools in Enfield and she is also a Quality Care Checker for Enfield Council, visiting residential homes and care settings, speaking to staff and residents in order to observe provision and improve services.
Laura Reynolds
Qualified Solicitor
Laura was initially a Co-opted Governor at Worcesters Primary School and was the Literacy Link and Health and Safety Governor. She is also a parent of two children at the school. Laura was an active Governor who made regular visits to the school and who participated fully in governor meetings.
Laura brings legal skills to the Board of Trustees as she is a qualified solicitor, specialising in financial services regulatory law. During her career Laura has worked at an international city firm (Herbert Smith Freehills LLP) from August 2005 to June 2015 spent time seconded to the group legal department of Lloyds Banking Group.
Paul Blosse
Head of London Operations for Investec
Paul is currently Head of London Operations for Investec. Previously he was an Executive Director for the Bank of Tokyo. He has over 30 years’ experience in the world of finance taking responsibility for Derivative, Treasury Services, Liquidity Management, Euro Clearing, Finance Accounts and Human Resources. He brings a wealth of experience in financial matters and is also an active member of the parish council where he lives.
Anne Del Greco
Retired Headteacher
Anne has lived in Enfield for many years and her children attended local schools. She has a background in nursing and teaching, having been a primary teacher for over 20 years. Anne taught in two schools and when she retired she was the Head Teacher at Oakthorpe Primary School and Head of a Teaching School. Under Anne’s leadership, Oakthorpe became highly regarded as a Flagship School for Inclusion and for its Initial Teacher Training provision; and in 2015 the school was in the top 1% of schools nationally for progress.
She continues to be involved in education through her role as a Pupil Premium Champion for London and Pupil Premium Reviewer. She also works with the Enfield School Improvement Service and is a school governor.
Bruce Goddard
Retired Head teacher and National Leader of Education
Bruce is a recently retired Head Teacher of an ‘Outstanding’ secondary school. Bruce worked in London secondary schools continuously for over 40 years and has made an outstanding contribution to the life chances of thousands of children. During this time, he was a National Leader of Education and he has also carried out many inspections for Ofsted.
Following the transformation of his most recent school, it was the subject of an Ofsted case study entitled, ‘From Coasting to Soaring’. Having overcome learning difficulties himself as a boy, Bruce has spent his working life encouraging his students to believe in themselves. His highest priorities are resilience, equality and access to the best we can provide students.
Pat Wood (Chair of Trustees)
Ex Headteacher and National leader of Education
Pat has over 40 years’ experience in the teaching profession across many schools in London. She is currently a Pupil Premium Reviewer and Trainer and an Ambassador and Assessor for the Inclusion Quality Mark.
Whilst being a National Leader of Education, Pat had a proven record of supporting Requires Improvement schools and securing improvement, including Ofsted grades. As a Headteacher she moved her last school, from good to outstanding in all aspects. Her school was also a Teaching School, National Support School, Flagship School for the Inclusion Quality Mark and a Hub School for the International Values Education Trust’s Quality Mark.
Charles Taylor
Partner- Aldbury International
Charles is currently a partner at an operational resilience consultants and is a highly accomplished board level senior business leader with vast experience working within financial markets across businesses of all sizes. He has secure knowledge of trading, trading technology and market structure through his years of experience with companies such as Redbourn Partners LLP and Commerzbank. His understanding of operational resilience and risk management is a great support to the board.
Jesal Mistry
Head of DC Investment – Legal and General
Jesal has a strong financial background and is responsible for the investment strategy and proposition for a number of corporate pension arrangements. His role means regularly engaging with a number of key stakeholders both internally and externally. In previous roles, Jesal has had experience of working with professional trustee bodies and understands their operation and responsibility. He has been vice chair of an Enfield school governing body for 3 years and has supported the schools leadership and management team. His experience shows an understanding of education and finance and is an asset to the board.
