Christabel is the trust’s Director of School Improvement (Primary).

Her 37 years of teaching and leadership experience, across both secondary and primary, most recently include six years as Copthorne Primary School’s Head Teacher, and four years as Executive Head Teacher of Copthorne Primary and Holybrook Primary Schools, both inner-city schools in Bradford. Both schools are judged as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted (2021/22). Chris is also a National Leader of Education and Pupil Premium Reviewer, leading and facilitating extensive school to school support.

Chris believes that excellence should sit at the heart of each school’s vision and be ‘lived’ each day, ensuring that there are no limits on learning for our children. Her expertise lies in leading improvement and transformation in teaching and learning, school culture, and curriculum design and implementation through a focus on challenge for all, and evidence-based practice.

Committed to high quality professional development for all staff, Chris is a Specialist Tutor for a SCITT programme, and an NPQSL and NPQH facilitator. She is also the Director of Challenge and Curriculum Development for NACE.