Leadership Team
Meet the Team
Lorrayne Hughes OBE
Chief Executive
Lorrayne has led Cumbria Education Trust (CET) since its inception in 2015. It has grown to be the largest school-based, Multi-Academy Trust in Cumbria, responsible for the education of more than 6,500 children across five secondary schools and twelve primary schools.
Lorrayne took up her first headship at William Howard School in 2007 and, in 2014, was commissioned to bring about rapid improvement in two schools in special measures that were based in Workington. Workington Academy was the first school to join CET – it is now thriving, oversubscribed and, in 2022, achieved a Good rating from Ofsted.
Lorrayne passionately believes in inclusion and that all young people deserve a high-quality education. Children are at the heart of all her strategic decision-making. Her vision is to enable each young person to reach their potential by providing an innovative and inspiring learning experience for students aged 3 to 18. CET schools work collaboratively and share the same core values – Respect, Responsibility and Resilience – as well as the motto ‘be the best you can be’. Lorrayne is a Board Member of the Confederation of School Trusts.
In 2024, Lorrayne was awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, for her services to education.
Senior Executive Team
Gareth Edmunds
Director of Transformation
Gareth leads transformational change across the Trust’s operations, strengthening organisational effectiveness and building a high-performing, values-driven culture.
He ensures our people, systems and processes align with the Trust’s vision and are equipped to meet the demands of a growing and evolving organisation.
Des Bird
Director of Education: Standards and Intervention
Leading Trust-wide standards, Des oversees performance monitoring, Ofsted readiness and rapid school improvement.
Des works closely with our new schools and those requiring additional support, ensuring timely and effective intervention so every school meets our expectations.
Matt Butler
Director of Education: Schools
Matt provides strategic oversight to school performance and leadership across both primary and secondary phases.
Working with Headteachers, Matt ensures schools are well-led and sustainable using the Trust’s Education Model, whilst strengthening leadership development and succession across the Trust.
Thomas Martell
Director of Education: School Improvement
Thomas leads on strategic school improvement, bringing together curriculum, teaching and professional development.
Thomas ensures that school improvement is consistent, evidence-led and built to support long-term capacity across all schools.
Sue Newstead
Director of Education: Inclusion and Personal Development
Sue leads on inclusion, SEND, safeguarding, personal development and pupil wellbeing.
Sue focuses on ensuring every child, especially those most vulnerable, can access high-quality education within safe, supportive and ambitious school environments.
Trust Services Team
Chris Kearton
Director of Data and Assessment
Chris has taught Mathematics at Workington Academy since 1997, undertaking a variety of roles – firstly in Middle, and then Senior, Leadership.
Chris currently oversees the use of data and assessment to drive school improvement across the Trust, leading the Data and Assessment team.
Sally McAllister
Head of Operations
Sally is responsible for operations across the Trust, including the Trust Services administration team and CET events.
Sally is focused and committed to delivering an effective service to all CET schools. She has worked in education for many years and believes that strong operational support is essential for schools, enabling teaching and support staff to provide the best environment for our students.
Gill Martin
Director of Finance
Gill is a financial professional who leads on all aspects of financial planning, reporting and management, which includes the provision of an effective framework of financial systems, risk management, procedures, and internal control.
Gill is committed to delivering a flexible and supportive central finance service to CET schools, supporting the development of strategic financial planning arrangements.
Kerry Rogerson
Head of Human Resources (HR)
Kerry is an experienced HR professional, having undertaken a number of senior HR roles within the Public Sector.
Kerry is committed to building a team that is principles-led, outcome-driven and puts people at the centre of the organisation. Kerry is passionate about working with key stakeholders to ensure CET attracts, supports and retains a mix of people with the right skills, knowledge and values.
Gill Creighton
Head of Safeguarding
Gill focuses on pastoral systems, behaviour, attendance and safeguarding.Gill is passionate about protecting those at risk of harm and firmly believes children can only ‘be the best they can be’, if they feel safe.
Gill keeps all safeguarding practice, policies, culture and leadership under tight review and is always ready to take action to promote the wellbeing of the whole CET community.
Pippa Goodridge
Marketing and Communications Manager
Pippa leads on communications, media, and marketing across the Trust. She supports schools with communications, admissions, and the development of marketing and promotional materials.
In addition, Pippa manages public relations, raises awareness of professional development opportunities both internally and externally, and actively champions the Trust’s values, vision and mission.
Martin Robson
Head of IT Services
Martin is an experienced IT professional, with over 35 years’ experience. He is responsible for the IT infrastructure within the Trust, ensuring that our schools have the necessary ICT equipment, networks and systems to enable them to teach successfully.
Martin also leads the IT Services team of technicians, who provide support to our schools, staff and students.
Secondary Leaders
Jon Hayes
Interim Deputy Director of Phase (Secondary) directly responsible for The Queen Katherine School
Jon has been a headteacher for over 15 years. Before that, he has worked in various leadership positions and as a Science teacher in schools across the North West and the West Midlands.
Jon plays a critical role ensuring secondary schools receive the appropriate level of support, challenge and accountability required to sustain improvement and deliver excellence for pupils and communities.
Mark Bedford
Executive Headteacher at Workington Academy
Mark started his career in education as a Science teacher. He went on to become a Senior Leader at William Howard School before taking up the role of Deputy Headteacher at Workington Academy. He is now Headteacher at Workington Academy.
Mark is passionate about going the extra mile for all his students, supporting them to be the best versions of themselves.
Kath Pigdon
Interim Executive Headteacher at William Howard School and supporting Haydon Bridge High School
Kath is passionate about driving William Howard School to the next stage of its journey. She believes fully in the Trust’s vision and values and works hard to instil this in staff, students and her own children.
Although Kath has over a decade of experience in Senior Leadership, she believes her most valuable lessons in leadership and life have come from competing at the highest level in her chosen sport – canoe slalom.
Nigel Youngman
Headteacher at The Whitehaven Academy
An experienced English and Film teacher, Nigel’s career began in Pakistan, followed by Birmingham, Bristol and then Cumbria. He has extensive leadership experience in raising standards in both coastal and urban schools.
Most recently, Nigel has been an integral part of the enormous improvement of teaching and learning at The Whitehaven Academy, leading to a first-in-its-history Good Ofsted rating.
Ben Griffin
Head of School at The Queen Katherine School
Ben has held senior leadership roles in two schools over the past 14 years. He began his career as an English teacher before moving into departmental leadership.
Since then, he has worked in pastoral roles and went on to lead whole-school behaviour and attendance for several years.
He is currently Head of School at The Queen Katherine School.
Tom Priddle
Interim Head of School supporting Haydon Bridge High School
Tom started his career in education as a History teacher and has since held a range of middle and senior leadership roles across both pastoral and academic areas. He has also worked as a Specialist Leader of Education and, more recently, became an Ofsted Inspector.
Tom is passionate about creating a culture where staff and students can “be the best they can be”. He is currently Interim Head of School at Haydon Bridge High School.
Barry Simpson
Head of School at Workington Academy
Barry has held senior leadership roles in two schools over the past 15 years. He began his career as a Chemistry teacher before progressing into subject and departmental leadership.
He has since held both academic and pastoral leadership roles, including leading Sixth Form. Barry then became Deputy Head, with responsibility for curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment, before taking on his current role as Head of School.
Nic Tweddle
Head of School at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Nic is passionate about education, inclusion and high expectations, and is committed to building on KSGS’s proud history while driving the school forward.
With extensive senior leadership experience across CET, Nic is inspired by the warmth, spirit and ambition of the KSGS community, its talented students and dedicated staff, and is determined to ensure the school continues to thrive.
Primary Leaders
Cate Floyd
Deputy Director of Phase (Primary) directly responsible for Yewdale Primary School
Cate believes that all children are entitled to the very best education and that implementing a strong School Improvement Model in schools to develop and sustain change is crucial.
Cate plays a critical role ensuring primary schools receive the appropriate level of support, challenge and accountability required to sustain improvement and deliver excellence for pupils and communities.
Jemma Nicholson
Group Headteacher directly responsible for Petteril Bank School
Jemma’s first headship led to her receiving one of the first ‘excellent’ graded SIAMS inspections on the new framework.
She is now Group Headteacher, providing strategic leadership, support school improvement and further strengthen collaboration between schools. She focuses on our commitment to deliver the very best outcomes for children, staff and communities.
Gemma Brierley
Executive Headteacher at Northside Primary School
Gemma began her teaching career at a large primary school in London. Over the next 20 years, Gemma taught across 3 schools, including serving as a Headteacher in a school that was transformed under her leadership.
Gemma is now Executive Headteacher at Northside Primary School and is part of the Trust’s Events team.
Ayesha Weston
Executive Headteacher at Caldew Lea Primary School
Ayesha has a long-held passion and personal drive to improve the life chances of the most socially and economically disadvantaged children.
Caldew Lea Primary School has always had a special place in Ayesha’s heart as it is where she completed her teaching training. She is now Caldew Lea’s Executive Headteacher and Staff Wellbeing Lead across the Trust.
Anna Carroll
Headteacher at Longtown Primary School
Anna has previously worked at Yewdale Primary School, Caldew Lea Primary School and Castle Carrock Primary School, and is now Headteacher at Longtown Primary School.
Anna believes in providing a broad and balanced education, which recognises and celebrates the talents of each child, enabling them to grow in confidence and develop a sense of responsibility – meaning they can achieve their full potential.
Ben Graham-Sharpe
Head of School at Yewdale Primary School
Katie Jamieson
Headteacher at Castle Park School
Allison Kenyon
Headteacher at Yanwath Primary School
Allison joined CET in 2016 as a class teacher. She then moved into CET’s School Improvement Team, supporting improvement across all of the Trust’s primary schools. She is now Headteacher at Yanwath Primary School.
Allison is passionate about school improvement and making sure every child is at the heart of decision-making. She also greatly values professional and personal growth.
Ross Knaggs
Headteacher at Stramongate Primary School
Ross brings a wealth of experience from teaching across three schools. With a passion for inclusivity and a nurturing ethos, he ensures every child and staff member feels valued and supported.
As an Early Years teacher, he believes strong foundations are key to holistic development. His priority is creating a happy, safe environment where children and adults can thrive, while encouraging a love of learning and personal growth in every child.
Amanda Lee
Headteacher at Hensingham Primary School
Amanda previously worked at Caldew Lea Primary School before taking on a new role as Headteacher of another school in Carlisle.
Bringing experience and passion to Hensingham Primary School is what drives Amanda, as she continues to ensure that staff and pupils can be the best they can be. She thrives off working closely with families and further developing the school as it continues its exciting journey.
Sarah Lee
Headteacher at Castle Carrock Primary School
Sarah has previously worked at a number of CET primary schools and is now the Headteacher of Castle Carrock Primary School.
Sarah is passionate about ensuring that every child is happy at school and reaches their full potential, both academically and through personal development. She works closely with staff, families and the local community, believing that collaboration together is the recipe for success.
Sadie Skivington
Headteacher at Newtown Primary School
Helen Wright
Headteacher at Tebay Primary School
Helen has previously worked at Yanwath Primary School and now has the exciting job of working with the staff, pupils and parents at Tebay Primary School as Headteacher.
Helen has gained a wealth of experience whilst working at CET, in which she has particularly focused on the daily running and growth of a primary school. There are ambitious plans for the schools’ development, as it continues its journey to outstanding.