School Inspections Conference

Charlie Cutler is the Director of Curriculum at United Learning, the largest multi-academy trust in England. She has led the development of a comprehensive, all-through curriculum from EYFS to Key Stage 4, ensuring a broad and ambitious entitlement for all pupils while allowing flexibility for individual schools to adapt it to their unique contexts. Charlie regularly shares insights on curriculum design and implementation at conferences and in educational journals, and leads training for school leaders and teachers to support high-quality curriculum development across the sector. 

Before joining United Learning in 2019, Charlie taught mathematics in both England and Singapore, gaining insight into different pedagogical approaches. She also worked in curriculum policy at the Department for Education, helping shape national research and initiatives. 

Dr Tim Coulson is Chief Executive of Unity Schools Partnership, a multi-academy trust of over 30 primary, secondary and special schools. He has been a primary headteacher, local authority director of education, national director of the National Numeracy Strategy and a Regional Schools Commissioner for the Department for Education. He is chair of what has been the Norwich Opportunity Area, and is now the Norwich Priority Area Partnership Board. He is a member of the joint ministerial SEND roundtable group and is a National SEND Leader with Whole School SEND.

Pete is the Headteacher of Perryfields  Primary PRU in Worcester which provides behaviour support to the 113 primary, first and middle schools in South Worcestershire. Perryfields has been judged to be outstanding by ofsted  on 4 consecutive occasions and was one of the initial 22 national  lead schools on the DfE Behaviour Hubs programme.

This requires Pete to support and train schools across the country in developing a positive behaviour culture.

Pete is a strong advocate for Quality First Teaching and the importance of building strong and nurturing relationships with all pupils. He has been at Perryfields since 2005.  He was awarded an OBE for services to education in the King’s 2023 New Years Honours list.

Jon originally trained as a nurse specialising in adolescents with life limiting illness before moving to become an advisor to a large strategic health authority and a commissioner in a primary care trust. He worked briefly as a specialist advisor on two World Health Organization projects before becoming the lead for early help and multi-agency working in a large local authority.  

He became an education safeguarding advisor 17 years ago managing the support offer to 530 schools and for the past 6 years has worked as the National Director of Safeguarding & Mental Health in a large international charity, the UK arm of which has 54 schools, 36 community hubs, 9 churches and a newly opened young offenders institute.  

He qualified as a PhD in Education Safeguarding at Liverpool Hope University. He also acts as a mentor to five young men starting out in industry ensuring that they develop to their full potential. In his spare time, he is a voluntary youth worker. When (if) he ever relaxes he is a keen fan of Korean dramas (though must use subtitles). 

I have been Headteacher of St Paul’s Catholic School, a Voluntary Aided School in Milton Keynes, since 2016 and prior to this I was Deputy Head of the school. I have been involved in Catholic education since 1997 and I am an active Inspector for the Diocese of Northampton.  St Paul’s works in partnership with schools across Milton Keynes to provide School Centered Initial Teacher Training through the Tommy Flowers Scitt.   I am the Chair of Stephenson (MK) Trust, which is a Multi-Academy Trust in Milton Keynes which includes an SEMH Special Academy and the Academy for Secondary Alternative Provision locally.  I am proud to be an active member of Milton Keynes Education Partnership and our focus this year has been on improving reading across secondary schools and the development of a Milton Keynes School Report through Collaborative School Improvement. This was achieved through the support of the AEC Locality Pilot.

Clare Duffy is Senior Deputy Headteacher, leading on Quality of Education, at Uppingham Community College, an inclusive 11-16 secondary school in Rutland. A member of SLT for the past 6 years, Clare has led on a number of areas including Teaching and Learning, Professional Development, Curriculum, Pupil Premium, Personal Development and Careers and has supported colleagues through successful Ofsted inspections. Originally an English teacher, Clare was subsequently Head of English for 10 years of a large successful department. Clare is a regular contributor to SecEd publication and for the last 9 years she has also been a primary school governor holding the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. 

Fran Hargrove is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Haringey Education Partnership (HEP), a schools-led, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving education outcomes across North London. With a deep commitment to educational excellence and leadership development, Fran plays a pivotal role in shaping HEP’s strategic direction, working closely with school leaders, local stakeholders, and national education bodies to drive sustainable school improvement. 

With extensive experience in education leadership, Fran has held senior positions, as a headteacher for 10 years and various other school improvement roles, equipping her with a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector. She is passionate about supporting school leaders to create high-quality teaching and learning environments that foster pupil success. 

At HEP, Fran leads on key areas including coordinating the work of all HEP Improvement Partners and project teams, curriculum innovation, and leadership training, ensuring that schools receive the highest level of support tailored to their needs. She is also a champion of collaborative working, believing that strong partnerships between schools and the wider educational system are essential to raising standards and improving outcomes for all children. 

Fran’s expertise in school leadership, safeguarding, and inclusion is underpinned by a strong belief in equity and excellence in education. Her work continues to have a significant impact on the schools within HEP, helping to build a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in education.