Central Team

Sir John joined Morley High School as its Headteacher in 2003. Prior to that he was Deputy Headteacher at The King’s School, Pontefract and Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley. Whilst at The King’s School he led a team of teachers who spent a year developing and writing Positive Discipline which is now the dominant behaviour framework across schools in England.

Under his leadership Morley High School was judged as Outstanding in 2009, and then again as The Morley Academy in 2013. In 2009 Sir John was asked to intervene at Farnley Park High School which was at that point in crisis. The Farnley Academy was the first of the GORSE academies to be transformed from Inadequate to Outstanding in only three years. The trust has now pushed forward, opening an exciting range of free schools and playing a major role in challenging underperformance and creating exciting learning opportunities for children and young people in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the Leeds city region.

Sir John now leads a trust which is considered to be among the very best in the country.

Leanne joined what was then Morley High School in 2005 as second in the science department. Since then, through a combination of immense hard work, intelligence and flair she has risen to the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Her work as a leader is renowned for its diligence and integrity and this has been reflected in the brilliance of the outcomes achieved in her leadership roles, including as Principal of The Morley Academy and Executive Principal: 11-16 Education.

David was appointed as our first Principal of Elliott Hudson College which opened in September 2015. During that time he has overseen the development of a position whereby Elliott Hudson College is viewed as one of the very best in the country. What is particularly impressive is the performance of disadvantaged students, many of whom have come to us following significant under-performance in their own secondary school. David is now leading the development of all aspects of Post 16 education across the trust.

Ben’s career with The GORSE Academies Trust began in 2016 when he served as Vice Principal at The Ruth Gorse Academy. In 2017, he became the Principal of The Stephen Longfellow Academy, known as one the largest and most successful Alternative Provisions in the city region. He returned to The Ruth Gorse Academy in 2020 as Principal, where he led the academy to remarkable achievements. Under his leadership, the academy consistently ranked among the top-performing schools nationally, achieving a Progress 8 score of +0.92 in 2023 and +0.99 in 2024. The school’s commitment to high academic standards and a vibrant culture of enrichment activities has been a testament to his visionary leadership, and yielded impressive outcomes in particular for disadvantaged students (Progress 8 of +0.68 in 2024).

Ben’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment was evident in the academy’s recognition for its exceptional support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Ruth Gorse Academy was honored with a NASEN award for its outstanding SEND provision, reflecting Ben’s commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

As Executive Principal, Ben will oversee the strategic direction and development of schools within the trust. His leadership will continue to drive the trust’s mission to challenge the link between poverty and underachievement, ensuring that all students receive an exceptional education.

Having joined what was Morley High School in 2001 as a newly qualified teacher of Physical Education, Helen has worked in a range of roles across the trust. These roles have seen Helen involved across all educational phases. Helen's most recent role has been Principal at Ryecroft Academy where she oversaw the movement of this primary academy from an Ofsted Inadequate provider to an Ofsted Outstanding provider.

Now in the role of Executive Principal: Primary, Helen will oversee the strategic leadership and development of the primary phase ensuring all provisions enable our youngest children to flourish and prosper in highly inclusive environments.

Having joined what was Morley High School 15 years ago Nicci has worked in an extensive range of senior roles across the trust, playing a pivotal role in our success at The Farnley Academy and The Ruth Gorse Academy. Recent roles have included whole school leadership of teaching and professional standards.

Nicci joined the TGAT central team in September 2017 as Director of Teaching across the Trust and in 2022 was promoted to the role of Principal of Leeds Teaching School Hub. Consequently, Nicci leads on all aspects of our work around teacher training, the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications. Nicci also organises all aspects of our trust CPD day.

Ailsa joined The GORSE Academies Trust as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in January 2023, following twenty years in the education sector, including six years as CFO for an academy trust in Bradford.

In her role, Ailsa has strategic responsibility for all aspects of trust finance, providing insight into commercial decision making, and strong financial leadership and guidance. Ailsa’s position includes delivering operational rigour and high-level direction, playing an integral role in supporting the growth and development of the trust, and ensuring it continues to be financially viable.

Ailsa is a Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), is CIPFA Level 7 qualified and holds an MBA in Educational Management with Distinction.

Debra joined The GORSE Academies Trust in 2017 to lead the Primary phase of the Stephen Longfellow Academy. She has extensive experience in leadership, curriculum development, special educational needs and safeguarding. Debra was appointed to the role of Partnership Director in 2020. Prior to joining the Trust, Debra was an Assistant Headteacher, Local Authority Leading Teacher for PSHCE, Local Authority writing moderator and Strategic Project Lead, working across an alliance of 14 schools to improve the outcomes of children and young people with SEMH needs across the 3-16 continuum. She has completed a post graduate certificate in PSHE, holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), and is an accredited Specialist Leader in Education (SLE) underwritten by the National College of Senior Leadership.

As Senior Partnership Director Debra has an important oversight of the work of other members of the Partnership Director team as well as continuing to lead the trust's work around SEND, Safeguarding and Child Protection. Debra also provides expert leadership in PSHE and SMSC.

Phil Routledge graduated from Oxford University in 2003 with a MA in Mathematics before completing his PGCE at Oxford Brookes University the following year.

Following a decade of teaching mathematics, Phil joined Elliott Hudson College in 2015 as one of the founding members of the SLT helping the college secure an Outstanding Judgment in its first OFSTED inspection. Phil expanded his work to support the trust during the pandemic and worked with leaders to support the TAG and CAG process. Phil now works for the trust as partnership director of Data and Assessment, primarily designing data analysis products using Power Bi. He has expanded his remit this year to include all phases from Primary to Post-16.

Sarah joined what was then Morley High School in 1996 as a teacher of modern languages. She became Assistant Leader and subsequently Curriculum Leader of MFL at the Morley Academy. Sarah is an MFL specialist who teaches French, German and Spanish.

Sarah joined The GORSE Academies Trust Central team in 2016 as Director of MFL. In this role, she has overseen the growth and improvement of language provision and outcomes across all trust academies, reflected in outstanding outcomes in 2022. In 2018 and working in partnership with the Swire Chinese Language Foundation, Sarah led the introduction of Mandarin Chinese across the Trust. Mandarin Chinese is now part of the curriculum offer in all academies from Primary to Post-16 Education. Sarah became a Partnership Director in 2022 leading on MFL, Mandarin Chinese, EAL, Literacy and Forensic Reading.

Michael joined what was then Morley High School in September 2006 as a Newly Qualified Teacher in Geography, having graduated from the University of Worcester with a Joint Honours Degree in Geography & History and having completed his teacher training at the University of Leeds. Over the years, Michael has worked across our 3-19 continuum which has included roles such as International Dimension Coordinator, Curriculum Leader of Geography, Strategic leader of Post-16 and Vice Principal at Hillcrest and The Ruth Gorse Academies. Mike is now a GORSE Partnership Director with responsibility for the quality of education across the trust.

Christine was appointed by Sir John as Headteacher’s PA at the then Morley High School in February 2004, having worked previously in Early Years, Primary and Secondary education in Kirklees and Leeds authorities.

Christine’s role expanded considerably to include Office Manager at The Morley Academy until 2012 and latterly as PA to the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Administration for The GORSE Academies Trust.

Christine now oversees all aspects of the work of the office of the Chief Executive Officer. This includes liaison with all external stakeholders and the management of a complex planning schedule.

Deborah joined the administration team at Morley High School in January 2006, having worked previously in the banking and finance sector. Following her role as Personal Assistant to the Principal at The Morley Academy, Deborah moved to her current role at the trust in October 2016. As well as assisting in the Chief Executive Officer’s office, Deborah also supports our team of Partnership Directors.

Lisa joined The Gorse Academies Trust with John Smeaton Academy on its divestment in 2021 as Office Manager and Personal Assistant to Senior Leadership Team. In February 2022 Lisa joined the central team as PA to the Executive Principal: 11-16 Education and then PA to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer before her role expanded to become Director of 3-19 Strategic Support and PA to the DCEO. Lisa manages all aspects of PA support for the DCEO’s office as well as assisting the executive team to ensure GORSE practices are robust. Before joining JSA Lisa worked in project management and training roles in the Personal Finance sector and for LCC Children’s Social Care. Lisa graduated from the University of York with a BA in Sociology and Social Policy.

Richard joined The GORSE Academies Trust in 2018. Prior to this he held several roles within Leeds City Council, including Sufficiency & Participation Lead, responsible for ensuring sufficient and appropriate learning provision across Leeds. In his role, Richard is the strategic lead across the trust for areas including admissions, GDPR compliance and governance. Further to this, he plays a key role in planning the development of the trust including the expansion of current schools, applications to open new schools and the sponsorship of existing schools.

Richard has over 20 years experience in the education and training sector covering areas such as school place planning, SEND provision, Early Years Provision, Post 16 learning, Apprenticeships and CEIAG.

Richard is also the Chair of Governors at a Secondary School in Kirklees.

Having joined Ryecroft Primary School in 2006 as Business Manager, Tina joined The GORSE Academies Trust with Ryecroft Academy in 2014.

Tina joined The GORSE Academies Trust team in April 2016 as Director of Trust Projects. In her role she liaised with Principals on the development, funding and management of projects and worked closely with the Central Executive Team to ensure that all projects were delivered within the required timescales and within budget. Her current role includes the oversight of all major projects within the trust including those connected to new schools. Tina also leads all aspects of our work around Health and Safety and environmental sustainability.

Corinne joined The GORSE Academies Trust in September 2022 as Director of Human Resources (HR).

In her role Corinne is the specialist lead across the trust for all aspects of HR and provides strategic HR support and advice working in alignment and partnership with our academies. Corinne’s role includes shaping employment policies and practices, ensuring we have robust recruiting and onboarding practices and supporting the trust’s culture of inspirational leadership, exemplary standards of behaviour and excellence in everything we do.

Prior to joining the trust, Corinne was Head of HR & Payoll with a local Further Education College and has held roles as an Organisational Development Manager and several other generalist HR roles in both the public and private sector.

Corinne is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has a degree in Business Studies.

Will joined The Morley Academy in 2015 as IT Technician and, over the last 7 years, has played an increasingly influential role in the development of our IT strategy across the trust. Currently, Will oversees a team of 24 colleagues who work to support school leaders across the trust.

Will also takes on a lead responsibility for planning our IT development, infrastructure and cyber-security, anticipating the challenges that will be faced in a rapidly changing world. In this role he works closely with the most senior leaders within the trust.