Executive Team (ID 2286)

• Cori Bateman
  Chief Executive Officer
  Cori Bateman

  As an experienced school leader, Cori has served as a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher in multiple schools and has supported schools both locally and regionally as a National Leader of Education. As CEO, Cori provides system leadership within and beyond the Trust, coaching and supporting school leaders, building networks and connections in order to grow the Trust and engaging with schools and Trusts beyond Pioneer to develop collaboration and collaborative approaches to benefit the education system. Having taken on the CEO at the point of inception of the Trust in 2019, Cori holds the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) and currently facilitates this programme through Best Practice Network. As a Values-based Leader, Cori works as an associate with Values-based Education (VbE) to develop Values-based Education and Leadership across schools and MATs through CPD and quality mark assessments.

  In addition to her work with schools in the Trust, Cori works with schools beyond the Trust offering a range of services including:

  Leadership Consultancy and Coaching

  Intensive School Leadership Support

  School Improvement Advisory Services

  School Self Evaluation and Improvement Planning

  School Review Services

  HT Performance Management

  Governor Training

  Pupil Premium Reviews

  Inspection Preparation and Support

  Support with School Structures, Systems and Efficiencies

  Values-based Education Training

  Values-based Education (VbE) Quality Mark Assessments

• Jon Briggs
  Chief Finance & Operations Officer
  Jon Briggs

  Jon is responsible for overseeing the financial health and smooth running of the Trust. As a strategic financial leader, he crafts budgets, manages investments, and ensures financial compliance.

  As chief of operations, Jon is responsible for efficient HR, IT, facilities, catering and procurement across the Trust.

• Jamie Pardon
  Director of Education
  Jamie Pardon

  Jamie joined the Pioneer team as Director of Education in September 2022 following over 8 years as a successful headteacher for two different schools. Her experience as a headteacher is of two very different schools. In her first headship, she successfully led the improvement journey of a two-form entry primary in Luton from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’ in 18 months. In her second headship, she not only maintained standards well above the national average in a one-form entry village primary, she improved upon them in both outcomes and progress.

  She passionately believes that school improvement is rooted in strong and trusting relationships where the core purpose of pursuing excellence and equity for children is at the heart. Since joining Pioneer, Jamie has made the role her own by working collaboratively with headteachers and their teams to provide robust support and challenge. Her impact was clearly evident in her first year in the role through her subject leadership CPD and mentoring. Three of our schools had positive Ofsted inspections in Summer 2023 where in all schools subject leaders confidently demonstrated their subjects to the inspection teams.

  As an ex-headteacher, Jamie has expertise in all areas of school leadership, however, her passion is curriculum and effective teaching and learning. She would welcome supporting your school with:

  Curriculum Development

  Developing School Improvement Plans and effective monitoring cycles

  Effective pedagogies, including general teaching practices and subject specific pedagogy

  Middle and Senior Leadership (current an NQPSL facilitator)

  Subject Leadership

  Supporting ECTs and ECMs (current ECT facilitator – Pioneer is the delivery partner for Best Practice Network of the ECF for the Primary Luton cohorts)

• Lisa Phee
  Director of Maths and Mastery Specialist
  Lisa Phee

  Lisa has worked with the Pioneer Learning Trust for 8 years leading maths and staff development across our schools in her role as Director of Mathematics. Lisa has extensive experience in supporting schools with mathematics in her SLE role in a variety of ways from delivering staff training, working with school teams to improve the quality of teaching and learning of mathematics and supporting maths leaders. Lisa is an accredited primary maths specialist for the NCETM and leads teacher research groups for Enigma Maths Hub, supporting teachers in developing mastery approaches in their practice. Through Enigma, Lisa visited schools in Shanghai where she was able to see high-quality mathematics being taught in the primary setting. Lisa is a core tutor for the Shire Foundation and CTG and has delivered training to ECTs across two teaching school ECT Induction programmes.

  Lisa can provide the below support

  Mastery approaches to support quality maths teaching and learning

  Use of manipulatives to support and challenge EYFS - KS2

  Development in the use of the concrete, pictorial and abstract approaches in maths EYFS – KS2

  Developing fluency across the school EYFS - KS2

  Developing questioning in maths

  Bar modelling & Calculation strategies

  Implementation of a new whole-school approach

  Stem sentences and high-quality reasoning – EYFS – KS2

  Developing the subject leader

  Supporting and coaching staff

  Developing the Middle Leader

  Preparing for Ofsted

  Maths in mixed age settings

• Jo Lunn
  Children's Champion
  Jo Lunn

• Hannah Page
  Assessment and Standards
  Hannah Page

• Darren Coates
  Premises & Facilities Manager
  Darren Coates

  Darren has a background in project management for large retail companies such as B&Q and Homebase, as well as running his own business, before joining the Trust in 2019.

  Darren is responsible for ensuring the efficient upkeep of all school buildings within the trust. This includes overseeing maintenance, health and safety compliance, grounds management, cleaning services, and capital projects. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to providing a safe and positive learning environment, Darren works collaboratively with school staff and external contractors to deliver exceptional facilities management across the trust.

• Richard Harvey
  IT Service Manager
  Richard Harvey

  Richard has worked supporting numerous schools with their IT requirements for more than ten years and joined the PLT team in May 2022.

  He leads a dedicated team to ensure smooth IT operations across all schools and is driven by simplifying IT infrastructure and processes, believing that outstanding IT has an impact across the whole organisation.

• Paul Ward
  Catering Support Manager
  Paul Ward

  Paul has held senior management roles in some of the largest restaurant chains in the country and joined the PLT team in October 2021.

  He directly oversees the kitchen teams in each school, helping them to deliver nutritious and delicious meals that meet the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. As Service Manager, he leads strategically; developing menus, managing budgets and sourcing quality ingredients across the MAT. Paul is passionate about fostering a positive dining experience for students and staff, believing well-nourished minds fuel academic success and community spirit.

• Mel Clarke
  HR Manager
  Mel Clarke

  As HR Manager, Mel plays a pivotal role in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent across our schools.

  Mel is involved with the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to payroll to performance management and professional development. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Mel strives to cultivate a collaborative and high-performing workforce that is instrumental in the Trust's success.

• Gemma Patterson
  Recruitment Officer
  Gemma Patterson

  Gemma brings experience and a passion for connecting talented individuals with meaningful opportunities as our Recruitment Officer.

  Background: Gemma transitioned from a successful 15-year career as a property manager to the education sector. Her diverse background gives her a unique perspective on recruitment and HR processes.

  Role and Responsibilities:

  To provide comprehensive recruitment and onboarding service to all schools throughout the Trust

  Be responsible for reviewing all processes in light of legislation changes and keeping up-to-date

  To be responsible for generating and placing advertisements for all staffing requirements, liaising proactively with school and Trust leaders on all details, dates and deadlines

  Ensure maximum exposure for all job roles across the trust, including posting jobs on social media accounts across all Trust schools

  Act as the main point of contact for communications with candidates and successful/unsuccessful candidates, including providing feedback where requested.

  Responsibility for proactive and clear candidate communications before, during and after application and interview