CEO of multi academy trust chosen by Department for Education to improve under performing schools

“…This focused strategy to drive up standards is crucial if we are to provide equity of experience for all our children, ensuring they are all given the best opportunities to thrive in education.” Chris Wheatley.

Chris Wheatley OBE, the CEO of The Flying High Partnership, a multi-academy trust founded in 2012 in Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, is amongst 20 advisors chosen by the Department for Education to improve under performing schools nationwide.

Announced by Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, the new strategy aims to drive improvement for under performing schools, and those with consecutive ‘poor’ Ofsted results who have stalled in their improvement plans.

The Government said the 20 advisors appointed to the Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) team, each have, ‘extensive educational experience and a track record of improving schools.’

Over 600 schools have been identified in the plans and a sum of £20 million pounds allocated to support its progress.

Chris Wheatley OBE said, “It is a privilege to be amongst the 20 school improvement advisors chosen by the Department for Education to be a part of the new RISE team. Our aims are to drive school improvement, particularly where a school’s own improvement plans have stalled or failed to have impact. This focused strategy to drive up standards is crucial if we are to provide equity of experience for all our children, ensuring they are all given the best opportunities to thrive in education.”

Chris said he is excited to share the experience he has gained during his career as a teacher, head teacher and CEO of The Flying High Partnership, a multi academy trust ranked in the top five performing primary multi-academy trusts in the country.  “There will be a variety of reasons schools need this support, but I am certain that any barrier to raising standards can be removed and corrected with the right support. It can and must be done, because our children only get one chance at their education, and as educators it is our responsibility to ensure it is of the highest standard.”

The 20 advisors include 17 school leaders in multi academy trusts, one working for a council and two further advisors working for organisations contracted to councils. More RISE advisors will be created later in the year

The first 20 RISE advisers:

Chris Wheatley, Chief Executive, Flying High Trust

Joseph Ambrose, Associate Director of Strategy, Greenshaw Learning Trust

Lesley Birch, Deputy Chief Executive, Meridian Trust

Karen Bramwell, Chief Executive, Forward as One Church of England Multi Academy Trust

Kate Brunt, Former Chief Executive, Rivers CofE Academy Trust

Maria Dawes, Chief Executive, Schools Alliance for Excellence

Lynsey Draycott, Chief Executive, Matrix Academy Trust

Paul Haigh, Headteacher, King Ecgbert School

Angela Holdsworth, Chief Executive, Sea View Trust

Matt Jones, Executive Principal, Ark Globe Academy and Ark Evelyn Grace Academy

Kath Kelly, Chief Executive, Lionheart Education Trust

Lee Mason-Ellis, Chief Executive, The Pioneer Academy

Siobhan Meredith, Executive Director of Education, Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust

Catherine Morley, Headteacher, Theale Church of England Primary School, and Director of Education, Thames Learning Trust, Berkshire

Vanessa Ogden, Chief Executive, Mulberry Schools Trust

James Page, Chief Executive, Haringey Education Partnership

Kate Parietti, School Improvement Adviser, West Berkshire Local Authority

Maura Regan, Deputy Lieutenant, Former Chief Executive, Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust

Jonathan Taylor, Chief Executive, Sapientia Education Trust

Martin Vevers, Executive Head Secondary, Laurus Trust