Our school leaders are the embodiment of our vision – supporting every pupil to reach their full potential and empowering colleagues to flourish in their roles. Our school leaders are a highly collaborative and supportive group, working together to drive continuous improvement not only in their own schools, but across the trust.
Headteacher, Ellenborough AcademyMichelle has worked in education since 2002, beginning her career as a teaching assistant. While raising young children, she continued working in school alongside studying for a Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning. She later achieved a Degree in Child and Family Studies through the Open University and the University of Cumbria, followed by a PGCE. Michelle began her teaching career in one of her placement schools, where she has remained ever since. She completed her NPQSL in 2021, became Head of School in 2022, and is now nearing completion of her NPQH.
What drives her as a school leader
Michelle is deeply motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. She values the collective strength of the school community and takes great pride in the positive impact on pupils, families, and staff. She feels privileged to serve in such a rewarding role.
Headteacher at Penny Bridge CE AcademyGraham began his teaching career in 2000 at Woodheys Primary School in Sale, Manchester. After two years, he took time away from teaching to work and travel in the Alps, gaining experience in the hospitality industry. Returning to the UK in 2004, he ran a successful café/restaurant in Ulverston before returning to education as a Year 5 teacher at Newbarns Primary School.
In 2011, Graham joined Penny Bridge CE Primary School as a Year 5/6 teacher and was promoted to Deputy Head in 2015, supporting the school through its academisation. In 2020, he stepped up as Acting Headteacher and was delighted to be appointed permanently in December 2021.
What drives him as a school leader
Graham is committed to fostering a supportive, enriching learning environment. He takes great satisfaction in leading Penny Bridge CE Academy and contributing positively to the local community on the edge of the Lake District.
Executive Headteacher of Braithwaite, Dean and LortonJo began her teaching career in a small Surrey village school, working mainly in Years 1 and 2 before moving into leadership as Head of Lower School in a two-form entry Catholic school, where she also gained experience as Acting Deputy Head.
In 2007, she relocated to Cumbria to become Headteacher of Braithwaite School, a village she first visited on her honeymoon fifteen years earlier. During her time at Braithwaite, she also worked part-time as an Associate General Adviser for the Cumbria Learning Improvement Service.
Working with the Good Shepherd Trust
Braithwaite joined the Good Shepherd Trust in 2015 as the Trust’s third school. In 2019, following restructuring, Jo became Executive Headteacher of both Dean and Braithwaite Primary Schools. The success of this small-school cluster model eventually brought Lorton into the partnership, and Jo became Executive Head of Lorton in January 2024.
What drives her as a school leader
Jo finds great fulfilment in leadership development and supporting staff to grow in confidence. She is deeply motivated by the opportunity to improve life chances for children. Outside school, she enjoys walking her dogs around Keswick, good food, and holidays in sunny places.
Head of School at Braithwaite CE Primary SchoolLaura has spent nearly 20 years teaching on the west coast of Cumbria, including work as an Assistant Headteacher, an English Specialist Leader of Education (SLE), and an ITT tutor.
Working with the Good Shepherd Trust
Laura values the collaborative culture of GST, appreciating the support and partnership across the Trust that leads to stronger outcomes for children.
What drives her as a school leader
Laura is passionate about empowering every member of the school community to find their voice through strengthened literacy, oracy, confidence, and self-esteem. Her work is centred on nurturing whole families and ensuring a welcoming, supportive school environment.
Headteacher at Lazonby CE AcademyAndrew graduated from Charlotte Mason College in 1998 with a BA (Hons) in Environmental Science and Outdoor Studies in Primary Studies. He began his career as an NQT at Eaglesfield Paddle CE Primary School, where he quickly took on additional responsibilities. In 2000, he received the title of Most Outstanding New Teacher in the North East and Cumbria. He progressed to Deputy Head and Acting Headteacher before becoming Acting Headteacher at Lazonby CE School in January 2016 and accepting the permanent Headteacher post later that year.
About Andrew
Andrew loves running and cycling on and off road, especially in the Lake District. Holidays often involve fishing at Neist Point and Loch Dunvegan and spending time outdoors with his family. Weekends are filled with family adventures, including open-top bus rides—a favourite for his daughter.
Working with the Good Shepherd Trust
Having been part of the Trust for almost a decade, Andrew values the strong support from central officers and fellow leaders. As both a SEND leader and parent of a non-verbal autistic child, he brings deep commitment to improving SEND provision. He leads the Trust’s SENDCo group, collaborating on legislation, paperwork, IEPs, and waves of provision.
What drives him as a school leader
Andrew firmly believes children must be at the heart of every decision. He prioritises outdoor learning, community engagement, and using the local environment to inspire pupils. His vision is grounded in helping children “Dream, Believe, Achieve” and live life to the fullest.
Headteacher at Kirkland CE AcademyKatie is currently Acting Headteacher at Kirkland CE Academy. She has 13 years of teaching experience and over a decade of leadership experience. She has taught all age groups from Nursery to Year 6 and currently teaches in Key Stage 2.
About Katie
Katie enjoys spending family time outdoors, taking her two young children on walks around the lakes or to local beaches to collect sea glass.
Working with the Good Shepherd Trust
Katie is passionate about learning and values opportunities to work collaboratively across the Trust to help pupils flourish.
What drives her as a school leader
Teaching and learning have always been central to Katie’s professional identity. She is delighted to serve as the Trust’s curriculum lead.
Head of School at Dean CE Primary SchoolDonna has dedicated her entire career to primary education. Beginning with work experience and training as a Teaching Assistant supporting SEND pupils, she has since gained over 15 years of teaching experience across varied settings and key stages. She has served as a class teacher, SENCo, and senior leader, building a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise.
Working with the Good Shepherd Trust
Donna leads the EYFS support group and is a member of the Trust’s SEND group, enabling her to share best practice and ensure children receive the highest-quality start to their education. As Head of School, she works closely with staff, families, and Trust colleagues to deliver a nurturing, ambitious learning environment.
About Donna
Donna enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and making the most of Cumbria’s wonderful outdoors.
What drives her as a school leader
Donna is motivated by a commitment to valuing every individual—children, staff, and families alike. Celebrating successes, fostering pride, and creating an inclusive school community lie at the heart of her leadership.
With more than 25 years at Lorton School, Olivia has taught every year group and considers the school an extension of her family.
Career Summary
After nine years of class teaching, Olivia was appointed Headteacher, a role in which she embraced significant educational changes while keeping children’s needs at the forefront. Working with a strong staff team, she helped create a thriving learning environment where every child was equipped to succeed.
About Olivia
Olivia spends much of her free time on the golf course working to lower her handicap. In winter, she enjoys walking, reading, and cooking—unless she finds time to travel abroad for more golf.
What drives her as a school leader
After serving as Headteacher until 2023, Olivia returned to classroom teaching, rekindling her passion for hands-on education. As Head of School, she blends teaching with leadership, working closely with the Executive Headteacher to drive school improvement. She is committed to nurturing a love of learning and ensuring every child thrives.
Headteacher at Whitfield CE Primary SchoolRachel qualified as a teacher in 2006 at the University of Cumbria and spent 18 years teaching in a large rural school. Her experience spans all primary phases, including EYFS, giving her a comprehensive understanding of children’s learning journeys. She is especially passionate about Upper Key Stage 2, where she supports pupils in developing independence, resilience, and a love of learning.
About Rachel
Rachel is happiest outdoors. With a background in farming and gamekeeping, she embraces rural life with her family. Living on a smallholding, she enjoys caring for animals, walking in the woods, and exploring the fells—finding inspiration and balance in the countryside.
What drives her as a school leader
Since joining Whitfield CE School in 2024, Rachel has discovered a strong passion for leadership. She is motivated by the opportunity to shape an ambitious, nurturing school culture in which children, families, and staff feel supported to succeed.
Headteacher, Threlkeld CE Primary SchoolSally is an experienced teacher and leader with over 25 years in education. She has taught every year group from Nursery to Year 6 and takes great joy in supporting children at every stage of their learning journey. Her career includes roles across five Cumbrian schools, progressing from Infant and Junior settings into full primary contexts. She has also worked as an Educational Consultant and Area SENDCo for the local authority, focusing on school improvement and inclusive practice.
About Sally
Sally loves running and walking in the Cumbrian hills, spending time with family and friends, and travelling. Her passion for global learning has taken her to schools in Holland, Kenya, and The Gambia, enriching her teaching experience and broadening her perspective.
What drives her as a school leader
Sally is committed to helping children, staff, and the wider community reach their full potential. She is particularly passionate about outdoor learning, literacy, and creating a strong reading culture. She believes deeply in partnership with parents and ensuring every child is known, valued, and supported to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
Headteacher Gilsland CE Primary SchoolNicola has over 20 years of teaching experience across Manchester, Cheshire, and Cumbria. She also works with the NNW Maths Hub, helping schools adopt a mastery approach to mathematics teaching.
About Nicola
Nicola enjoys spending time in the Lake District, walking and paddleboarding, and loves travelling during the summer months.
Headteacher, Ambleside C of E Primary SchoolAlison has been the headteacher at Ambleside Church of England Primary School since September 2023. She became a headteacher because she believes that primary education has the power to shape a child’s future in the most profound way. Every day, she is driven by a commitment to create a school environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn.
Her journey into leadership grew from a deep passion for teaching and a strong belief that every child deserves opportunities to thrive—regardless of their background, strengths, or challenges. Over the years, she has taught across a range of year groups and has gained extensive experience as a school leader across three local authorities, with each role strengthening her determination to help shape a school community built on kindness, curiosity, and high expectations.
Alison is guided by the belief that children achieve their best when they are happy, confident, and excited to learn. As headteacher, her aim is to nurture a school where learning is joyful, creativity is celebrated, and every child is encouraged to believe in themselves.
Leading the school is both a privilege and a responsibility, and she is proud to work with a dedicated team to ensure that pupils grow into compassionate, resilient, and lifelong learners.
Headteacher, Wreay C of E SchoolStella completed her BEd (Hons) degree in Devon, specialising in Expressive Arts. With over 30 years in teaching, she feels privileged to work in a profession that nurtures and shapes the next generation of citizens and leaders.
Stella began her career at RAF Leeming Primary School in North Yorkshire, teaching children from RAF families. She later returned to Cumbria, spending 18 years as a teacher and senior leader in a large Carlisle primary school. During this time, she developed a passion for the arts and English and became a Lead Teacher for English for the local authority, supporting teachers and delivering training county-wide.
She then served as Deputy Headteacher of a village school near Carlisle, gaining further leadership experience as Acting Headteacher. In January 2024, she took up her current post as Headteacher of Wreay CE Primary School.
About Stella
Growing up in Keswick sparked Stella’s lifelong love of the outdoors. She enjoys walking, canoeing, fell-walking, drawing, painting, reading, and attending live theatre and music performances.
What drives her as a school leader
Stella feels she has found her home at Wreay CE Primary School. She is driven by a strong desire to provide every pupil with an excellent education, ignite curiosity, and foster a love of learning and the natural world. She is inspired by pupils’ “lightbulb moments” and is passionate about building meaningful relationships with children, families, and the wider community as part of “Our Wreay School Family.”
