Education
Gerry Walters, Director of Education, leads a highly-experienced team of education experts who support our academies:
Gerry Walters – E-ACT’s Director of Education
Gerry has over 40 years' education experience, 33 of them working in different roles within schools. He has led five secondary schools, including periods as Interim Head of Special Measures schools, most recently acting as Interim Headteacher of Abbotsfield Boys’ School, Hillingdon.
He has held a senior LEA role in Monmouthshire.
During this period, he represented the Directors of Education (Wales) as a member of the Welsh Assembly Government Task Force, in developing a National Children’s Framework.
Gerry’s experience as a Senior Consultant with Capita, and more recently as Managing Consultant with Tribal, included acting as a strategic adviser to LEAs involved in developing business plans for 14-19 developments and Post-16 re-organisation.
He has also acted as a lead Consultant to both DCSF and The Welsh Assembly Government in tackling significant strategic planning, and supported groups of schools in developing federations.
His personal involvement in governance includes Primary, F.E., and a Pupil Referral Unit.
As a visiting Lecturer for De Montfort University, he specialised in Curriculum Design and Development.
Gerry has a highly successful track record within the BSF/Academies programmes, having undertaken the roles of OPM, Project Director and Sponsor’s Representative across a range of projects.
In his current role as Director of Education, he has led the establishment of Quality Standards, developed a rigorous approach to Academy Improvement Strategy and Delivery, and currently leads two outstanding teams: academy improvement; academy project management.
He has a particular interest in developing innovative ways of delivering outstanding educational provision in traditional and non-standard settings.
Dame Marlene Robottom – E-ACT Education Adviser
Marlene brings 25 years of senior management experience - 15 as Head of Mulberry School for Girls (London Borough of Tower Hamlets).
Marlene retired in December 2005 having led Mulberry School to notable success. During her time at the school, Mulberry achieved Beacon, Leading Edge, Training and international School status. The school was part of the Excellence in Cities initiative and gained Investors in People recognition. Prior to leaving Mulberry, Dame Marlene led and managed a successful £20 million PFI project to re-build the school.
Marlene has 34 years of educational experience, 32 as a practicing teacher. In addition she has been a member of numerous LA consultative, advisory and working groups and DfES task groups. She was actively involved in collaborative educational links across Tower Hamlets, including CPD for staff. Marlene continues to support education as a primary school governor and through the London Challenge, National College for School Leadership and the NPQH programmes.
She received a DBE in the 2000 New Year’s honours for services to education.
Marlene has significant experience of the BSF programme from an LA and school perspective, through her work as an Education Consultant.
Fred Groom – E-ACT Education Adviser
Fred has more than 35 years' teaching experience, with 12 years as a Headteacher in three schools, including an Academy.
He retired in April 2007 as the successful Principal of Stockley Academy in Hillingdon. He had been appointed Head of the predecessor school in 2001 and brought it out of Special Measures. He led and co-ordinated the planning of the Academy that replaced it, including a new, leading-edge school building, which has received design awards and overwhelming praise from its many visitors. Fred has led the school community on a journey of significant improvement, endorsed by all stakeholders and Ofsted Inspectors.
In his Headships in Hackney and Hillingdon, Fred has worked successfully with a number of partners including those from HE and FE, Excellence in Cities, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, London Challenge and the National College for School Leadership.
Fred has worked for E-ACT for over two years. He has brokered future academy projects, worked with predecessor schools through feasibility and implementation phases to sign off, and acted as the Education Adviser for open academies.
Maurice Keane - E-ACT Education Adviser
Maurice brings 33 years' educational experience. He has been a classroom teacher, led a very successful department, lectured in a university’s faculty of education, worked with schools as a local authority inspector and has been a Deputy Headteacher in two secondary schools.
Maurice has specialised in the management of curriculum innovation at all levels, from initial discussions with school staff and governors through to successful project implementation. He has considerable experience of working on the design and commissioning of school buildings to ensure that a school’s vision is translated into innovative and workable outcomes.
Maurice has worked with E-ACT for more than two years. He has worked on projects across the country, including the development of an All-Through Academy, been involved at all stages of the academy process and acted as Education Adviser for open academies.