Alan has been a school governor since 2007, serving on the Governing Body of Northgate High School as Chair (2008-13 and 2016-2017) and Vice-Chair (2013-2015). He regards his role as a school governor as the opportunity to give back something to the education system that helped him and his family. He is a Member and Trustee of Unity Education Trust; Chair of Trustees 2017-2020 and 2022 to January 2025.

He is a member of the Finance and Audit Committee and Standards Committee. He is Chair of the People, Pay and Performance Committee and co-opted governor/link trustee with some of UET schools. He was a senior manager at the University of East Anglia and, following his retirement, continues as a part-time administrative consultant to a research institute affiliated to the University. His voluntary work includes serving as the Chair and Treasurer of the Dereham-based Kickstart Norfolk which is the largest moped “wheels to work” charity in the country.

I joined the Royal Air Force in January 1992 after attending King Edward the VII High School and 6th Form in King’s Lynn. I served at various units in the UK before being medically discharged from the Royal Air Force in March 2014.

Whilst serving I particularly enjoyed mentoring the new recruits and developing their personal and professional skills, enabling full and rewarding careers. By the end of my career I was instructing within my trade across the East of England. My wife works as a TA in a primary school in King’s Lynn and we have a son, who attends Churchill Park Complex Needs Academy (CPA).

I became a school governor at CPA in 2012 and Chair of Governors in 2017. I look forward to being part of Unity Education Trust and facilitating the development of its settings.

Richard’s early career started in farm management, with positions overseas and in
management at the Blenheim Palace estate, before re-training to become a Teacher at the University of Oxford. He worked as Head of Biology at St Augustine’s Upper School in Oxford before moving to Norfolk as Head of Science then Assistant Headteacher and Director of the Training School at Notre Dame High School in Norwich.
After 8 years there, he was appointed Headteacher at Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston in 2008, becoming Executive Headteacher in 2019.
During his tenure, the school was judged Outstanding in its 2017 SIAMS inspection and in their 2013 Ofsted report, inspectors commented “The headteacher provides
inspirational leadership and sets high expectations for the performance of the school.”
Richard is a Director of the Diocese of Norwich Education Services Company
(DoNESC).

I began my career in the performing arts and qualified as a teacher of dance, whilst performing.  Some years and two children later, I changed my career path and qualified as a primary teacher.   I have worked extensively with children with special educational needs, for the local authority in supporting nursery and pre-school provision and taught all primary year groups.  I now lead two Norwich based schools and work in many strong, informal partnerships with schools across North Norfolk, Broadland and Norwich.

I am thrilled to have joined the UET team as a trustee and member of the Standards committee.  I strongly believe that every child has the right to the best education possible and every member of school staff should be enabled to provide this.  I look forward to bringing my passion for education to this voluntary role.

Teacher – West Lodge First School, Harrow 1988-1990
Teacher – British Council School, Madrid Spain 1990-1993
Nursery & Infant Lead/Art Co-ord/SENCo – Ruislip Gardens Primary School, Hillingdon 1993 -1997
Foundation Stage & KS1 Co-ord/Assessment Co-ord/SENCo/Acting Deputy – Charville Primary School, Hillingdon 1997-2006
Senior Teacher/PE Co-ord/Literacy Co-ord/SENCo/Acting Head – Colkirk Primary School, Fakenham 2006-2011
Headteacher – Little Snoring Primary School, Fakenham 2011-2016
Assistant Head – Locksley, Short Stay School for Norfolk, Norwich 2016-2018
KS2 Lead/Deputy Head – Churchill Park Complex Needs Academy, Kings Lynn 2018- retired 2023

At present I am Visiting Professor at the University of Sunderland. I have been founder and Director of Global Spirit Ed CIC until July 2024. I am a writer, international speaker and educationalist, and describe myself as a school improvement partner and activist.
I was a headteacher in the UK for 20 years, and a head in Sweden and in Manhattan. I was a CEO of a Multi Academy Trust but over the last 15 years have been working with many schools nationally and internationally both to improve leadership and outcomes but also to build a more personalised approach to education.