A Cumbrian headteacher is to be the new Chief Executive of the Diocese of Carlisle's The Good Shepherd Multi Academy Trust. Claire Render is currently Executive Headteacher at Wreay CE Primary School and at the Trust’s school in Whitfield, Northumberland.
Claire takes up the CEO’s role today and brings with her 25 years’ teaching experience in Newcastle upon Tyne and for the last 14 years as headteacher at Wreay, near Carlisle; a position she is to keep.
Claire said: “I'm delighted to have been appointed the new CEO of the Good Shepherd Multi Academy Trust. My aim is to grow the Trust over the next couple of years and further develop it as a provider of high quality education across Cumbria.
I have always enjoyed working within the Diocese of Carlisle and so am looking forward to starting my new role which will further strengthen those professional ties in Cumbria.
I’m also pleased that Wreay is to explore becoming a member academy of the Trust whose core value of providing the best educational experience within a Christian context is one which, I’m sure, resonates with our pupils, staff and parents.”
Claire, who is also a board member of the Rural Learning Alliance Teaching School, will work as the Trust’s CEO for two to three days a week.
Michael Mill, Diocesan Director of Education and who has been the Trust’s acting Chief Executive since 2014, will step down though he will remain on the Trust’s board of Directors.
He said: “We have been working closely with Claire as she has supported some of our schools. She has seen the positives of being part of the Trust and as Chief Executive brings a great deal of experience and the necessary to further grow and develop the Trust.”
Meanwhile Nigel Appleton, Chair of the Trust’s Board of Directors, has announced he is to step down at the end of his term in the spring.
Nigel has been a director since the Trust’s foundation in April 2014 and Chair for the last two years overseeing a growth in both membership and reputation. He steps down following a significant period of success for the Trust during which three schools have gained ‘Good’ Ofsted report outcomes.
Nigel said: “I am very pleased the Trust has been able to secure Claire’s services as CEO after a competitive selection process. I am sure she will bring fresh ideas and use her experience to build the Trust with the support of the whole Trust family. Meanwhile, I am looking forward to doing some other things with my ‘retirement’ whilst following with interest the fortunes of the Good Shepherd MAT.”
Michael Mill added: “Nigel has been great to work with and has been able to provide strategic thinking and direction to guide the Trust through a significant stage of development.”
