Trust & Governors

Tom has lived in Rugby for over ten years and currently has three children in the local state school system. He has been involved with the free schools programme since its inception and in the opening of over 50 free schools. Tom was lead proposer for Rugby Free Primary School, serving as Chair of the Local Governing body and helping take the school through its first Ofsted inspection.

As Vice Chair of the Trust, Tom leads on the ongoing development of Learning Today Leading Tomorrow, working closely with the CEO to ensure that the trust remains sustainable and best serves all the children in its care. As Chair of the Sustainable Improvement Board, Tom has the same responsibilities as a Chair of a local governing board but directly reports on progress against the post-Ofsted action plan to the Board.

Gary has lived in the Rugby area for 20 years. He has two children in full-time education in the town.

A qualified chartered accountant with an MBA, he has held a number of senior financial positions and directorships in retail and leisure companies. Gary is a former senior executive with a global bank, and is an expert in service management and operational transformation.

Gary believes every child should have the right to a good education.

Krissi has been Headteacher at Burton Borough School in Shropshire since September 2016, her first appointment to headship. Prior to this, she held various teaching and leadership positions culminating in her appointment to Vice Principal of the Outstanding Harris Academy Crystal Palace. It is her belief that it is increasingly important that we nurture students to become confident, lifelong learners who are unafraid to voice their own opinions and debate them in an intellectual, considered and structured manner. Her aspiration is for students to think and ask questions which will propel them into an age of innovation where their creative and critical thinking skills will be more important than ever before. She wants students to be well-rounded, not relying on rote or technology, so that they are fully empowered to compete and engage with their peers, both nationally and internationally

Brenda has over 30 years experience in statutory education at primary, secondary and sixth form stages. In previous roles, she set up a regional service to support young people aged 16-25 years, to access vocational programmes and prepare for university, she was Principal of an outstanding sixth form college and worked as Director of Education for a charity that delivered education and alternative provision nationally.

Most recently, Brenda was the founding CEO of a regional multi-academy trust that set up 3 academies and free schools in the Midlands. She has 10 years experience as a trustee/director for an outstanding single academy trust (secondary) in Derbyshire. She brings particular expertise in governance and leadership structures, capacity building, partnership working and special educational needs.

Having intensely followed the decision making process of choosing a suitable Secondary School for my niece, who is thriving within the Rugby Free Secondary School. I was keen to get involved in a local school for a town where I have always lived.

My unconventional educational background (in this day and age) on a mechanical engineering apprenticeship within the Steam Turbine-Power Generation Industry was the basis of my progression into Project Management currently within the Pharmaceutical Industry. I have extensive health
& safety knowledge / qualifications and management for construction activities covering all disciplines from Civil / Structural / Mechanical /Electrical / Building Services which can be utilised throughout the process of the new school build. I was keen to be part of the Rugby Free Secondary School journey, and be part of the community challenge to be recognised as a key local school providing outstanding educational opportunities with an open minded approach to each students abilities.