Mr Woolhouse, Assistant Principal at Compass Primary Academy, has been a maths specialist for the past 18 months. He said: ‘My role will involve initially meeting up with the Maths Leads and Principals in each school to see what they need. It is making sure we have the key skills highlighted so that, although a school might teach concepts in a different way, everybody knows what those skills are and ensure they are covered in the classroom. What excites me is the opportunity to work across schools with a range of different people. Common assessment across the Trust is going to be key so that we can compare like for like. This will be a chance to meet teachers and teaching assistants; to build that bigger picture of what each school is like because they are so different. It is a privilege to see what other schools are doing as well as an opportunity to get out and about and spread the collaboration.’

Dr Andy Kirk, Vice Principal at Kettering Science Academy, teaches physics and science.

He said: ‘This is an exciting project; one of the benefits of having a Trust is that schools work together and benefit from each other’s experience. It is getting more out of people as a group than they can do on their own. If someone has a problem in their school then they will have a group of colleagues that they can trust and can draw on the expertise of each other. What I want is for the Heads of Department to develop as a team, so it is about helping the group and building relationships.’

Both Chris and Andy will fulfil their Director of Subject roles until permanent successors are appointed.