Meet our staff

At the Great Schools Trust, I’m proud to work in an environment that champions equity and empowers leaders based on merit, vision, and the impact they make. I began my journey as a classroom teacher, later becoming Principal of King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, and now serve as Director of Education across the entire Trust. At every stage of my career, I’ve felt genuinely supported in my aspirations; the Trust has backed my growth, believed in my potential, and walked with me every step of the way.

I was the first person in my family to go to university, and breaking the cycle of limited expectations was a huge milestone. Progressing from a child entitled to free school meals to a teacher, then a headteacher, and now a Director of Education is something I could never have imagined as a child, but it’s proof that hard work, endeavour, and the right support can open doors. 

I’m fortunate to be part of a strong, supportive network at the Great Schools Trust, surrounded by inspirational colleagues and mentors who have played a vital role in shaping my journey. The Trust is deeply committed to developing people, championing potential, and creating opportunities for individuals to grow and achieve their goals. It’s a culture rooted in encouragement, empowerment, and genuine belief in one another.

Being appointed as Principal of King’s Leadership Phoenix Academy has been a true honour and a remarkable opportunity to positively influence the lives of young people and the wider community. This marks my first role as Principal, and I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support provided by the Great Schools Trust. The Trust’s commitment to developing well-rounded, responsible young individuals deeply resonates with me, and I am passionate about driving this vision forward.

Throughout my time with the Great Schools Trust, I’ve always felt genuinely supported to grow and pursue my ambitions. Being appointed as Principal of King’s Leadership Phoenix Academy – our Alternative Provision school – was a clear demonstration of the Trust’s belief in me and in the vision I bring to the role.

While academic success and exam outcomes are important, what drives me most is the mission of social mobility: breaking generational cycles and helping young people become proud of who they are and what they’ve achieved.

The Trust’s ASPIRE values, which underpin the culture of every academy, deeply resonate with me. They reflect our shared commitment to shaping students into respectful, responsible, and confident members of society. I’m passionate about raising life chances and unlocking the potential in every student we serve.

My name is Umar Hussain, and I am the Principal at King’s Leadership Academy Warrington. I was drawn to the school from its inception because of its strong foundations built on routines, character-led education, a clear mission, core values, and a relentless drive for social mobility. The Trust’s vision aligns with my own belief in providing an exceptional education that transforms lives.

No two days are the same, but my mornings always start with greeting students and staff, setting the tone for the day. I visit lessons, engage with students, support staff, and ensure high standards are maintained. Meetings with my leadership team focus on strategy and improvement. Afternoons often involve coaching staff, meeting with parents, or planning future initiatives.

Being a Principal means shaping young lives, inspiring staff, and driving a culture of excellence. Seeing students grow in confidence and ability is incredibly rewarding.

I started within The Trust as a trainee Maths teacher.  The Trust has provided excellent leadership development, networking opportunities, and access to research-driven training, allowing me to continuously improve as a leader.

The high expectations, values-driven approach, and focus on character development create an environment where staff and students thrive.

The Trust champions ambition, excellence, and social mobility. It provides outstanding support, professional growth, and a shared purpose that transforms lives.

I have been working at King’s Leadership Academy Warrington for the past eight years, and I can honestly say it has been an incredible journey. Before joining King’s, I worked with Shane Ierston, now CEO of The Great Schools Trust, at Woolston High School. When I saw what Shane had created as Principal here at King’s Warrington, I knew I wanted to be part of it. I truly believed in the school’s ethos and values, and I was excited for the opportunity to work with him again.

I started at King’s as Office Manager, and over the years, the Trust has supported me in achieving my goal of becoming a member of SLT and progressing to Operations Manager. In my role, no two days are ever the same. My mornings begin with arranging cover for staff absences, followed by onboarding new staff, ensuring all compliance checks are completed, and making sure payroll is up to date. I also work closely with the Admin, Site, and Catering teams, ensuring everything runs smoothly throughout the school day. I help with transitions, duties, and various administrative tasks, always striving to support both staff and students.

What makes my role so special is that I love to help people, and I get to do that every single day. I would highly recommend The Great Schools Trust to anyone—it’s a place that truly cares about its staff, supports development, and helps people achieve their goals.

As a new Principal leading a school that has recently joined the Great Schools Trust, I can confidently say that the support I’ve received has been nothing short of exceptional. From day one, I’ve felt genuinely welcomed and consistently supported at every stage of the journey. Colleagues across the Trust have been readily available whenever needed, and it’s truly inspiring to be part of an organisation where people genuinely care about one another and are committed to helping each other succeed.

 Since stepping into the role of Principal at King’s Lander Primary Academy, I have felt consistently supported by the Trust, particularly by my fellow Principals, who have generously shared their experiences, mentorship, and best practices. The Trust’s collaborative leadership and unified vision have fostered a culture of encouragement, trust, and professional growth.

 Joining the Trust was a completely new experience for me and could have easily felt overwhelming. However, thanks to the steady reassurance and guidance I’ve received, the transition has been smooth and empowering. While we’ve embraced a new chapter, we’ve also remained deeply rooted in the core values that define our school community.

 At King’s Lander, we are united in our mission: to provide every student with equal opportunities to thrive – academically, socially, and emotionally – and to help shape them into confident, compassionate, and successful citizens of tomorrow. With this strong foundation and the continued support of the Great Schools Trust, King’s Lander Primary Academy is poised to go from strength to strength.

Being a leader within the Great Schools Trust has truly been the most inspiring and fulfilling chapter of my career to date. I’m continually motivated by the exceptional leaders across the Trust who share my passion for transforming the lives of young people and ensuring that all students see themselves positively represented in those who lead them.

 My personal vision and values are closely aligned with those of the Trust. We are united in our commitment to providing equal opportunities for every student, nurturing them to become the very best version of themselves and valued contributors to society. I’ve always been a strong advocate for equity in education, believing wholeheartedly that every child, regardless of background, deserves access to the highest quality learning experiences. I’ve long held the belief that every child has a superpower, and through belief, high expectations, and the right support, we can help turn that into a successful and meaningful future.

Since joining King’s Hawthornes, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside one of the most determined and driven staff teams I’ve ever encountered. From our very first INSET in January, I shared the idea that true success is built through consistency; high expectations, clear systems, purposeful routines, strong modelling, and a relentless focus on the small things. The team at King’s Hawthornes, and the Trust as a whole, exemplifies this mindset. They are talented, collaborative, and relentlessly committed to raising standards together.

Having spent seven rewarding years at King’s Leadership Academy Warrington – culminating in my role as Vice Principal – I’ve gained a deep understanding of the Great Schools Trust’s values, vision, and commitment to excellence. I was proud to be part of the leadership team in 2019 when King’s Warrington was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, a reflection of the dedication and high standards upheld across the Trust.

 I was truly honoured to be appointed as Principal of King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree, which opens this September. This appointment is a powerful affirmation of the Trust’s belief in me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the next addition to our growing Trust family. It’s a privilege to undertake such a significant role, and I’m excited to bring the Trust’s vision of academic excellence, strong character, and community spirit to our newest school.

 The support I’ve received from the Great Schools Trust has been nothing short of inspiring, and I’m filled with excitement and anticipation as we get ready to welcome our founding cohort of students this September.

I began my teaching journey as a History teacher in 2001, working in schools across Widnes and Manchester. In 2012, I met Sir Iain Hall, whose inspiring vision for a new kind of school, and ultimately a trust, sparked a turning point in my career. I was proud to become one of the founding teachers at the Great Schools Trust’s first school in Warrington, and I’ve been supported by the Trust ever since.

 Being part of the Trust from day one and watching it grow, evolve, and succeed has been incredibly rewarding. Today, I serve as National Behaviour Hub Manager, leading on our character-focused work and supporting the development of our ASPIRE values both within our Trust and across the Behaviour Hub initiative. I’m passionate about helping schools build calm, purposeful environments and guiding students to develop resilience, respect, and belief in themselves. I look forward to continuing my journey with the Trust and championing values-led education wherever it’s needed.

Before joining the Great Schools Trust, I completed an apprenticeship in IT Systems at Staffordshire University, where I worked across a range of IT roles throughout my studies. This hands-on experience allowed me to build a strong foundation of technical knowledge and gain valuable insight into more complex IT systems and operations.

 In 2020, I began working at the Trust, with King’s Leadership Academy Bolton as my home base. Since then, I’ve continued to develop professionally as part of a supportive and knowledgeable IT team. The collaborative environment across the Trust has been instrumental in my growth; I’ve been encouraged to undertake further training, continuously enhancing my technical skills and confidence in the field.

Beyond my core IT role, one of my proudest achievements has been co-founding the King’s Bolton PRIDE Club in 2021. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the group grow each year and to witness the positive impact it’s had on students’ confidence, sense of belonging, and overall experience both in and out of school.

From day one of joining the Great Schools Trust as a newly qualified Maths teacher, I was welcomed with open arms at King’s Bolton. Many of my colleagues, including my mentors, had also come through Teach First, which created a really supportive and understanding environment for new teachers like me.

 Working at King’s Bolton, and for the Great Schools Trust, is truly a privilege. The school community is built on strong values that our pupils live and breathe every day. I’ve learned so much from our students; their openness and willingness to share their experiences have been genuinely inspiring. I’ve also really valued the collaboration opportunities across the Great Schools Trust, particularly during events like the September conference, where staff from different academies come together to share knowledge and ideas.

 One of the things I appreciate most about the Great Schools Trust is its commitment to professional development. I’ve had excellent access to training, including CPD sessions every Friday and in-house NPQ opportunities. I’m currently working through an NPQ with support from the school, and it’s helping me prepare for the next step in my career. As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue growing as a leader and giving back to the community that has given me so much support and inspiration.