WAT Fellows are some of our most dedicated and committed staff who facilitate and deliver CPL across Windsor Academy Trust, on any of our CPL programmes, ranging from Initial Teacher Training through to Leadership development programmes such as our National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), delivered in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT).
The role requires being an expert facilitator for online and face to face sessions, ensuring a high quality professional development experience for all participants, both within and beyond WAT.
Mr Wakeman has been a dedicated member of the WAT family for eight years, gaining valuable leadership experience across Manor Way Primary Academy, Tenterfields Primary Academy, and Goldsmith Primary Academy. He began his leadership journey in middle leadership roles at Manor Way and Tenterfields before progressing at Goldsmith through positions as Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School, and now the substantive Headteacher. Mr Wakeman has completed the National Professional Qualifications in Middle Leadership (NPQML) and Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and is currently undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). He is also studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) in Educational Leadership, which will lead to a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Passionate about excellence in education, he is dedicated to inspiring pupils and staff to achieve their full potential.
As Primary Digital Transformation Lead for Windsor Academy Trust, Sal works across the trust’s primary schools to bring the EmpowerED vision to life, supporting staff to use technology in ways that enhance teaching, learning and workload. His role focuses on empowering teachers to embed iPads and Showbie effectively, ensuring that every child experiences equitable learning, thrives academically, and feels a strong sense of belonging. This year, his work has had a particular focus on accessibility, exploring how digital tools can remove barriers and enable all pupils to reach their full potential.
In school, Sal is Deputy Headteacher, with responsibility for curriculum, assessment and digital transformation. Working closely with partners at Apple and Showbie, he is involved in research exploring how technology can enhance curriculum provision and support pupils to thrive. He has completed the NPQLT and NPQSL and is currently undertaking the NPQH, ensuring that his work is firmly informed by educational research and best practice.
Mrs Dodds is a strategic leader dedicated to the holistic development of children through the lens of school culture and belonging. As Head of Student Services for Windsor Academy Trust, she oversees attendance, behaviour, and safeguarding across the primary and secondary phases. Her expertise lies in synthesising these three pillars to drive a unified strategy that supports every learner.
A former secondary Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Dodds has recently undertaken the NPQH qualification and holds the NASENCo qualification, reflecting her deep commitment to inclusive education. She believes that by fostering an environment where students feel safe and valued, schools can unlock the full potential of their communities.
Jon joined Great Wyrley Academy in 2016 as Assistant Headteacher, following a successful tenure as Head of Mathematics in North Solihull. Appointed Deputy Headteacher in 2019, he currently leads on Standards, overseeing Teaching and Learning, Curriculum, Assessment, and CPL. Since September 2025, Jon has also been serving as Head of School one day per week.
Originally from Liverpool, Jon has dedicated his entire teaching career to the Midlands since 2008 . He is a passionate advocate for Instructional Coaching, championing the use of Steplab to drive continuous teacher improvement and academic excellence across the academy.
Mrs Twells is a Deputy Headteacher at Goldsmith Primary Academy with a strong track record of leading teaching and learning and developing staff expertise. She played a key role in Walsall and Sandwell’s PEIA project and welcomed Doug Lemov into her school and classroom as part of her work on instructional excellence. She designs evidence-informed PD cycles rooted in the EEF mechanisms, ensuring all staff receive high-quality coaching, deliberate practice and adaptive teaching support. Her leadership focuses on modelling expectations, strengthening consistency and building collective efficacy. She is committed to inclusive, high-impact classroom practice and to developing teachers at every career stage through clarity, credibility and purposeful coaching.
Mrs Ayres has worked at Goldsmith Primary Academy for 19 years, gaining experience across all age groups from Nursery to Year 6. She has served as Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children for the past 10 years. Mrs. Ayres has completed leadership courses, including the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO). In her roles, she focuses on providing support for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed academically and socially, and is committed to helping all pupils reach their full potential.
Mrs Moore began her journey at Great Wyrley Academy in September 2009 as a dedicated Business Studies and IT teacher. Her passion for education and leadership quickly propelled her career, earning her the role of Assistant Headteacher in September 2016. She was then promoted to Deputy Headteacher in November 2019 and ultimately achieved the prestigious position of Headteacher in
October 2022.
Under Mrs Moore's leadership, the school achieved a 'Good' rating in its first Ofsted inspection during her tenure as Headteacher. She has also overseen the school’s best exam results in a decade, a testament to her commitment to fostering academic excellence and cultivating an inspiring learning environment for all. She has recently excelled in her achievements by obtaining her qualification for the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Her passion and dedication has been proven and our school is excelling under her leadership.
Miss Brough is a teacher at Greenways Primary Academy, where she has taught for 8 years. During that time she has taught in Year 5 and for the last 6 years she has taught in Year 6. She is the Standards Lead at Greenways and also the subject leader for Mathematics.
She has mentored university students on placement and Early Career Teachers within the academy. This year she became an instructional coach to support and mentor others.
She is passionate about Mathematics, and sees it as her own personal goal to ensure all children enjoy the subject rather than fear it.
Mr Brown is the Head of School at Greenways Primary Academy in Stoke-on-Trent. His passion for the last 4 years has been building a curriculum for history and geography that is knowledge rich and allows children to fully grasp each subject area. Built on the basis of educational research and by creating systematic links throughout the curriculum, we have embedded a curriculum that allows our children to know and remember more.
Miss Coterill is an Assistant Headteacher at Rivers Primary Academy and has worked at Windsor Academy Trust for over 8 years. Throughout her career with WAT, she has completed many CPL opportunities such as the Trust’s own leadership courses as well as the NPQML and NPQSL. She is enthusiastic about curriculum development and teaching and learning. She is also a certified Apple Learning Coach and enjoys transforming learning through the use of digital technology.
With just over 20 years of experience in education, Ms Finch is a dedicated Maths teacher who has passionately guided students through Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. As a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher and Specialist Leader in Education, she always tries to demonstrate exceptional teaching practices to inspire both students and fellow educators. Currently serving as the Director of Maths across a multi-academy trust, Ms Finch oversees the mathematics curriculum for eight secondary schools. She hopes that her leadership is having an impact on the educational community.
Miss Garside has recently taken on the role of Executive Headteacher, overseeing two strong Stoke-on-Trent primary schools - Greenways Primary Academy and Milton Primary Academy. She was the Headteacher at Greenways since 2021 and believes that all children, regardless of background, should be offered a knowledge rich and ambitious curriculum to ensure they have the best start in their education journey.
Miss Gindhay is currently a Year 5 teacher, who leads History, Geography, Art, D.T. and Music in her school.
She has served as the Art, Design Technology and Music Lead at her school for the last three academic years. During her first year in this leadership role, she took on the additional responsibility of becoming the specialist teacher for Art, Design Technology and Music, teaching children from Reception through to Year 6 during the afternoons. This experience has allowed her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and expectations across different year groups.
BSc (Hons), PGCE, MEd, MCCT, CTech, FRSC, CMgr, FCMI, NPQSL.
Mrs Harper has 24 years of in-class experience of key stage 3,4 and 5 science teaching and a real passion for science education. She has qualified as a science Advanced Skills Teacher, a science
Specialist Leader of Education, a Chartered Teacher and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has been in her current role as a Director of Science across a MAT for 6 years leading all aspects of science education across the high schools within the Trust.
Ms Hazeldine’s career began at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2016, where she specialised in English and Art as part of her Primary Education degree. She has taught in Year 5 and is the Art and Design Subject Leader at her school. She loves art as she believes it is the only subject without limits and the key to self-expression and creativity.
Ms Hopkins has been a primary teacher for just over 20 years and her experience in the classroom and the knowledge that she has acquired in this time is something that she enjoys sharing with other teachers.
Over time, she has developed a particular interest in the teaching of English and has led the subject across her school for several years. Having found completing the NPQLL such a valuable experience, She is keen to be involved in supporting others to consider how research can help us deliver more effective English lessons.
Mr Perrin is passionate about the importance of PE and sport in primary schools and the positive impact it can make for children and schools. He has worked as Windsor Academy Trusts PE Specialist Teacher at Rivers and Goldsmith Primary Academy since 2019. In this role he has worked hard to ensure all children, especially the most disadvantaged, have many opportunities to access a high-quality PE and sport offer.
Ms K Tinson has been an English teacher for over 21 years. As a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher and in her current role of Lead Practitioner of English and Whole School Literacy Lead she has guided students through Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 English language and literature.
She has had, for many years, the privilege of being an ECT/NQT and PGCE Mentor for English staff as well as a Senior Mentor supporting students across the curriculum. She enjoys working with colleagues and supporting them in all aspects of teaching and learning- demonstrating the ability to lead by example.
I have been the Faculty Director for Physical Education for several years at Kingswinford Academy, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive sports culture.
In addition to my responsibilities as a Faculty Leader, I am also the Lead Practitioner for PE across Windsor Academy Trust. This position supports other PE educators, sharing best practices, and driving excellence in physical education throughout the trust.
I have always been deeply passionate about sports. Sports have become an integral part of my identity, shaping who I am and continually inspiring me to strive for excellence.
Dave is the Head of Performing Arts for Windsor Academy Trust and Lead Practitioner for Drama. He began his career as a music teacher before branching out into drama, which has allowed him to build a career across both disciplines.
He spent ten years as Head of Drama at Kingswinford Academy, achieving outstanding results year after year, and then also worked as a Head of House for five years, supporting students pastorally as well as academically.
Music has always been a huge part of his life; he is a semi-professional performing guitarist and has recorded numerous albums. He loves to bring that real-world creative experience into his teaching. In his current role, he feels incredibly lucky to work with talented students across the Trust on exciting drama and music opportunities, believing that the arts are vital for young people — for him, creativity is therapy.