Rebecca is currently the CEO at Hales Valley Trust. Rebecca has been part of the evolution of the Trust since its inception in 2017. She is also a National Leader of Education, the Director of Hales Valley Teaching hub and an Ofsted Inspector of both Early years and the Schools remit. Prior to being CEO she was the Headteacher of the lead trust school for 10 years and the Director of School Improvement. Rebecca has been the chair of the Black Country Teaching Schools Alliance and successfully wrote one of the 2 round 1 SSIF bids for £500,000 to improve the outcomes for over 2000 EYFS children across the 4 Black Country Authorities over a 2 year period - which was a huge success.  She has worked in a range of schools in a range of roles from Advanced Skills Teacher, to Assistant Headteacher then moving onto headteacher and National Leader of Education.

Rebecca has been the chair of Dudley Primary Forum and is a current member of Dudley Schools Forum which brings all areas of the education and council sector together across the borough. Rebecca continues to engage with the latest CPD and has completed her NPQEL qualification and is a facilitator of the new specialist NPQLBC qualification. Rebecca works closely with Olevi and a school in her Trust is the regional coaching centre of excellence. She is a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and enjoys engaging with the Chartered College of Teaching in discussions and debates around a number of national and regional issues.

Rebecca is a huge believer in coaching as a way to enable a team to deliver results and develop sustainable long term thinking. She is a trained professional coach and has enjoyed spreading her passion for coaching throughout her Trust and beyond so that others can benefit from the 'Power of Coaching'. She has worked with IRIS connect to develop the use of video technology to improve the quality of teaching and used this as her masters study focus to consider the impact it has improving quality first teaching. Rebecca has spoken at regional and national level including being part of a panel discussion at the Academies show Autumn 2021 and the National data conference in Spring 2022. 

Kate has worked in primary education for over 20 years. She describes herself as a teacher who constantly refines her teaching skills, knowledge, and experience, so that we can apply this knowledge and understanding to her leadership, enabling her to promote the best outcomes for all pupils across our Trust. 

Within the role of Director of Education, she has focused attention on the education provided by the schools in the Trust and the strategies that are associated with better outcomes for pupils. Through using her secure knowledge and understanding of quality first teaching and learning, she can identify what needs to be done, what it will look like, and what impact it will have.  

Previously, within her role as a Headteacher of a large 3-form entry primary school, she has had extensive experience of being able to successfully implement whole school pedagogical changes, based on research such as IRIS Connect, Accelerated Reader, Early Reading Scheme and Phonic Programme, Mastery Maths, Artificial Intelligence platforms, and the implementation of The Write Stuff approach to the teaching of writing.  

As an accredited professional coach, Kate has seen the benefits of coaching in staff at all career stages for professional development, personal growth, and curriculum changes. Her passion for coaching has extended to volunteering as a coach in the Women Leading in Education network and at the time was instrumental in her school being appointed as an ‘OLEVI Centre of Excellence in the Practice of Coaching’.  

As well as coaching, Kate has implemented IRIS platform across the Trust enabling staff to reflect and gain a deeper insight into their teaching practice. Not just for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching but sharing good practice to develop others further.  

Over many years, as an SLE, Kate has participated in a range of experience of working with headteachers beyond the Trust to initiate whole school changes, in addition to successful, effective school improvement. She is a trained facilitator for NPQ programmes as well as leadership and teaching and learning programmes written by OLEVI.  

Through her role as a Peer-to-Peer Review facilitator, Kate uses her curriculum and pedagogical knowledge alongside a range of interpersonal and communication skills to draw on strengths and tangible actions for schools beyond the Trust – working with leaders from other schools and conducting ‘deep dives’ linked to enquiry questions.  

Kate is a research informed leader. Through reading about and around educational theories, topics and research, she is able to make informed decisions about the education of pupils across the Trust and maintain, improve or change practice to improve the quality of education in our schools.  

Hannah Pickles is the Lead Practitioner for Early Career Teachers and Trust School Direct Lead. Hannah has been a qualified Primary school teacher for 23 years. During this time, she has worked in schools across Dudley and the West Midlands.  

As a Specialist Leader in Education, Hannah has supported schools to improve their English and phonic outcomes. She has worked closely with their Senior Leadership Teams, providing support, personalised training and coaching sessions.  

Over the last five years, Hannah has been leading our Initial Teacher Training programmes and has worked closely with ECTs and Mentors across the Dudley area. Hannah has written and facilitated both ITT and ECT programmes, worked as a professional coach and Mentor. Hannah is a Key Stage 1 Local Authority moderator reaching the STA moderation standard to moderate across Dudley and has had the honour of this role for a number of years. 

Hannah is a Visiting Fellow for Ambition Institute and delivers the ECF fully induction programme across Sandwell and Dudley. She also delivers on the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development programme. 

Hannah’s passion for English and in particular the teaching of reading is very important to her. She is a member of the Open University and UKLA Teachers’ as Readers group. Hannah has also written a phonic reading scheme for children in The Gambia, allowing children to access books that they can take home to read. She has worked alongside Gambian teachers over the last eight years to ensure the books fit alongside their National phonic scheme – Jolly Phonics

Belinda has worked with us for over ten years. She is instrumental in organising all aspects of continuing development for our schools and across our local area. Belinda has been with us since our Teaching School designation and throughout our journey. She is your first point of contact for all aspects of CPD and will be happy to answer any of your queries. 

Hannah Pickles

Stephanie Wheatcroft - Specialist NPQs, NPQEYL

Hannah PIckles - Specialist NPQs, NPQLTD

Kerry Burns - Specialist NPQs, NPQLBC

Alex Hall - Specialist NPQs, NPQLBC

Holly Ashton

Laura Atkinson

Karen Daley

Kate Hall

Alex Hall

Matt Maynes

Hannah Pickles

Fran Rizzo

Emma Tolley

Stephanie Wheatcroft