Kate is a trust CEO and former headteacher who has pioneered structural and cultural change across the education sector in Worcestershire, the West Midlands and nationally for over two decades.
She has led both mainstream and alternative provision schools out of special measures, transformed the practice of individual teachers, schools and trusts, developed talented teachers as leaders of education through mentoring, inspired new entrants to the profession and challenged authority and practice to ensure the best possible outcomes for children.
In 2014, Kate established The Rivers CofE Academy Trust, the first all-primary trust within Worcestershire., with three founding schools. During her time as CEO, she developed a culture of collaboration which created a family of sixteen schools across Worcestershire, Sandwell and Dudley, including the first primary free school and first primary alternative provision setting in Worcestershire.
In her drive to improve the life chances of all children, Kate has brought about several innovative and inspirational changes to the education sector including the implementation of an enhanced ethical curriculum based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the development of a governance structure which addresses the need for governance to evolve as trusts expand in order to remain effective.
Through the success of The Rivers, and her reputation for being a straight talking, hardworking and totally committed individual, Kate is now a respected coach, mentor and speaker. Her mantra of ‘What is the impact?’ champions change in a consultative manner..
Kate is a National Leader of Education, an Ofsted inspector and a coach/mentor on the DfE’s Trust to Trust Development programme. She has an ethos of ‘always learning’ and is a School Improvement Partner for several trusts across the Worcestershire area and beyond. Kate was also a former member of the West Midlands Advisory Board and the Department of Education’s Headteacher Reference Group as well as being a board member for several trusts and a governor of an Independent School. Kate was made an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Worcester in the School of Education in November 2022 and has also been awarded an Honorary Fellowship.
As a mentor, Kate offers expertise in the following areas:
Kate also provides specific support for leaders of trusts with a religious character.
Company no: 05303883
Charity no: 1107640
