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)

• Jo Lunn
  Children's Champion
  Jo Lunn

  Jo is an experienced primary practitioner having worked in a variety of primary schools for over 20 years. During this time, she has developed a passion for English and her role as English Lead has covered KS1 and KS2. She has led schools in raising standards in reading and writing.

  In addition to this, she has been part of the Senior Leadership Team and developed strategies, projects and whole-school initiatives to raise standards across the school.

  Primary English

  Raising standards in KS2

  Developing the teaching of writing using the principles of Talk for Writing

  Developing teaching and learning strategies

  Promoting a culture of reading

  Developing whole class reading

  Outstanding teaching and learning

  T4W and VIPERs expertise

• Hannah Page
  Assessment and Standards
  Hannah Page

  Hannah started at Chantry Primary Academy in 2011 as an NQT and has held various leadership positions. She is a Deputy Headteacher and SLE with responsibility for the Quality of Education. She specialises in Assessment, Pupil Progress and Standards and Leads on Assessment across the Pioneer Trust.

  With proven experience in raising attainment through effective teaching and learning Hannah has also led on marking and feedback, Pupil Premium and maintaining high-quality teaching and learning; delivering bespoke training to all schools within the trust.

  Hannah has led on partnership working groups within the West Area Partnership to develop new assessment initiatives and implemented these across the trust, in addition to working with ITT networks to deliver and develop training initial teacher training and support ECTs

  Most recently she has supported the onboarding of New schools within the Trust with Assessment and built a Network of Assessment Leads within the schools whilst support Chantry Primary Academy as a Leader and Teacher.

  Hannah can offer support in the following areas:

  Assessment of learning EYFS – KS2

  Effective feedback to pupils EYFS – KS2

  Implementing curriculum and assessment models

  Workload management

  Effective classroom management

  Raising standards across the curriculum

  Supporting Year 6 workflows

• 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.

• 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.

• Maryum Khan
  Strategic Safeguarding Lead
  Maryum Khan

  As the Strategic Safeguarding Lead for Pioneer Learning Trust, Maryum Khan brings over seventeen years of experience working across the education sector, supporting children, families, and school communities in both primary and secondary settings within Luton. Her professional journey has included roles as a family worker and pastoral manager, where she developed a strong foundation in child-centred practice, early intervention, and multi-agency collaboration.

  Since joining Pioneer Learning Trust in 2024 as Education Welfare and Safeguarding Lead, she has overseen safeguarding and attendance across trust schools, working closely with Designated Safeguarding Leads and senior leaders to ensure robust and consistent practices that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of every child. Her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to placing the child's voice at the centre of all decision-making, alongside a belief that effective safeguarding is built on strong relationships with families, staff, and external agencies.

  Maryum brings extensive experience in safeguarding leadership, including managing complex cases, contributing to child protection processes, and maintaining high-quality reporting and record-keeping systems recognised during inspection. She has led whole-school safeguarding training, supported staff development, and worked in partnership with a wide range of agencies, including social care, health services, and local authority teams, to secure the best outcomes for children.

  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable pupils and their families, including those with special educational needs and mental health needs, she is committed to promoting a proactive, inclusive, and holistic approach to safeguarding and attendance. Her role across the Trust focuses on strengthening systems, building capacity within schools, and ensuring that every child is safe, supported, and able to thrive.

• Claire Dreyer
  Catering Services Manager
  Claire Dreyer

  With over 18 years of experience in the catering industry, Claire brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Having previously worked within school environments, she possesses a unique understanding of high-standard food service and nutritional needs.
  
  She is responsible for overseeing the delivery of catering services within our schools, ensuring kitchens operate efficiently, safely and in compliance with all food safety and regulatory standards. Claire focuses on staff management, operational insight and maintaining high standards of hygiene, quality and service across all schools' catering facilities. She works with the catering teams and schools to review menus whilst supporting healthy eating and a positive food culture.