School Improvement Team

Louise qualified as a class teacher in 1999 and began a career across four primary schools in two London boroughs, gaining valuable experience in a range of diverse school communities. These early roles shaped Louise’s belief that every child deserves rich opportunities to learn, grow and flourish.

Louise joined Barrow Hedges in September 2007 as Deputy Headteacher, became Acting Headteacher in 2011, and was appointed substantive Headteacher in 2012, the same year she achieved the NPQH. Leading the school remains one of Louise’s greatest privileges. Louise finds primary-aged children a joy to work with; it is a wonderful stage of life where curiosity, rapid development and a love of learning come together. 

During Louise’s tenure, the school has transformed significantly. It has grown to a three‑form entry setting, expanded its buildings and increased the facilities available to pupils. Louise is immensely proud of the improvements secured over the years and continues to work tirelessly to ensure the school remains a thriving, ambitious and nurturing environment.

When Barrow Hedges joined the trust in 2018, Louise was soon able to extend support beyond the school. She led on pupil premium provision across the trust in 2018/19, supported leadership and management at one trust school in 2019/20 and was appointed Trust Director of Teaching and Learning in October 2022. Louise completed the NPQEL in December 2023. This trust role is one Louise greatly enjoys, offering opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across multiple schools, provide coaching and mentoring to teachers and contribute to curriculum development. Louise feels very fortunate to be part of Cirrus Primary Academy Trust and to support its ongoing journey.

Alongside these responsibilities, Louise also serves as a governor at two schools in another local authority. These voluntary roles broaden Louise’s impact on young people’s education and help maintain a strong understanding of current initiatives and policies across the primary and secondary sector.

Louise remains deeply passionate about shaping children’s lives and ensuring that every child feels valued, inspired and supported to achieve their very best.

Claire has worked at Avenue Primary Academy since 2004, initially as a class teacher, then Assistant Head, Deputy Head, Acting Head teacher and currently as Head of School. In her role she works closely with the Executive Head Teacher and Head of School for the Autism Bases at Avenue, on the strategic development of the school. Claire completed her NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) in 2021.

Claire has considerable experience in the analysis of pupil data and was appointed as the CPAT Assessment Lead in September 2021. Since working for the Trust School Improvement Team, she has created a strategic plan for assessment and how it informs the curriculum, teaching, and interventions. She has a consistent approach to assessment, where all schools follow the same scale and analysis templates. She has ensured that the MIS system, Arbor, is used efficiently and effectively to support staff in setting targets and analysing data.   

Each year Claire analyses published data using ASP for KS1 and 2 progress and attainment, and the Year 1 phonics check. This is an important part of her annual role, as it enables her to monitor closely how the Trust schools are performing in relation to national figures. This information is used to inform relevant members of staff and shared with governors and Trustees. To go alongside the ASP analysis, she writes detailed case studies about any area where, from the external data, gaps or trends are exposed.

Britt has been a primary school teacher since 1995 and has served as a member of the senior leadership team at Avenue Primary Academy since 2014. From 2016 to 2021, Britt held the role of Teaching School Director, leading the school’s work in school improvement, continuing professional development, and Initial Teacher Training.

In 2021, Britt became the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Avenue Primary Academy, and in 2025 she took on the trust-wide role of Safeguarding Lead for Cirrus Primary Academy Trust. In this capacity, she works closely with Designated Safeguarding Leads across all Cirrus schools to ensure safeguarding remains a top priority and that a robust, proactive safeguarding culture is embedded throughout the trust.

Britt collaborates with local safeguarding partnerships to stay informed about both local and national safeguarding developments. She uses this insight to strengthen safeguarding policy and practice, ensuring that approaches remain current, effective, and responsive. She also oversees the delivery of high-quality safeguarding training for staff and governors, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities with confidence and competence.

Cirrus Primary Academy Trust is committed to placing the welfare and safety of all pupils at the forefront of its work, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive both in and beyond school.

Marianne has been a primary school teacher since 2010 and is English Leader and part of the Senior Leadership Team at Barrow Hedges Primary Academy. During her teaching career, she has also been an external moderator for the London Borough of Sutton. In her role as English Leader in the Cirrus Improvement Team, Marianne provides strategic support for the Trust as a whole and bespoke support for each school. She is working towards a goal of driving standards in teaching and learning of English across all Cirrus schools; this ensures that every child is given the opportunity to leave primary school being confident in their reading, writing and communication skills. The support provided includes working closely with the English leaders in schools, organising development opportunities for staff within the Trust and supporting senior leaders with monitoring and evaluative activities.  

Janine is the CPAT EYFS Leader, working across the Trust to support and empower leaders to deliver high-quality early years education, ensuring all children have the strongest possible start to their learning journey.

She is committed to ensuring every child receives the support and provision they need to thrive, driven by a belief that early experiences have a lasting impact on future outcomes. Janine has high expectations for herself, staff and pupils, and is dedicated to raising standards through clear, purposeful and evidence-informed practice.

Her work is underpinned by a focus on strong pedagogy, language-rich environments and meaningful learning experiences that enable children to flourish.

Becky has been a primary school teacher since 2014 and is Maths Leader and member of the Senior Leadership Team at Barrow Hedges Primary Academy.  She is passionate about Maths and within her role as the Trust Maths lead, is committed to ensuring high quality teaching and consistent learning.  

Becky is responsible for monitoring standards of Maths across our 5 primary schools which allows her to identify strengths and areas of development. Becky also works closely with the Maths leads and Headteachers across the Trust, enabling her to provide bespoke support to each school to further improve the Trust's Maths standards.

Michelle has been a primary school teacher since 2011 and is currently the Inclusion Leader and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Barrow Hedges Primary School. She holds a Master's degree in Education, specialising in Leadership and Management. Throughout her career, she has also led Early Years provision and served as an external Early Years Moderator for the London Borough of Croydon. She is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Education with Kingston University, with a specialist focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

As part of the Cirrus School Improvement Team, Michelle provides both strategic and bespoke inclusion support across the Trust. She is passionate about driving high standards of inclusive practice to ensure every child feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to thrive. Her role includes working closely with SENCos across the Trust, coordinating professional development opportunities for staff, and supporting senior leaders through monitoring, evaluation, and school improvement activities.

Working in partnership with Kate Sims from Rushy Meadow Primary Academy, Michelle shares a commitment to embedding inclusion as a golden thread throughout the Trust, ensuring that inclusive values and practices are at the heart of every school community.

Kate Sims has been a primary school teacher since 2007 and is currently the Assistant Headteacher (SENCo) and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Rushy Meadow Primary Academy. She holds the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) and has extensive experience leading inclusive practice and SEND provision across primary education. Throughout her career, she has supported children with a wide range of needs and has worked closely with families, staff, and external agencies to secure positive outcomes for pupils. Kate has also served as a Lead Key Stage 1 Moderator for the London Borough of Sutton and is currently a Lead SENCo within the London Borough of Sutton, supporting the development of effective SEND practice across local schools.

As part of the Cirrus School Improvement Team, Kate provides both strategic and bespoke inclusion support across the Trust. She is passionate about ensuring every child experiences a genuine sense of belonging and receives the support they need to achieve their full potential. Her role includes working collaboratively with SENCos and school leaders, developing and evaluating inclusive provision, coordinating professional development opportunities for staff, and supporting school improvement through monitoring, quality assurance, and evidence-informed practice. Kate is committed to building inclusive cultures where all children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.