Women Into Leadership Conference

Appointed in 1998 to her first headship in a large and socially deprived school in “special measures”, Catherine was at the time the youngest headteacher in England and led the school to become “Good” in just four terms. Shaped by this, Cathie retains her passion for enabling children to flourish in an environment of outstanding practice.

Until February 2013 Cathie was Executive Headteacher of three primary schools – Mount Street Academy, Lincoln Carlton Academy and Saxilby Church of England Primary School; the national reputation of Mount Street Academy as a twice “outstanding” school and Cathie’s work across the country as a National Leader of Education has led to visits by numerous school leaders, national educational academics and DfE officials. In 2012, Mount Street became Lincolnshire’s first Teaching School.

Cathie’s headship career spanned 15 years across three key stages and schools in a variety of challenging circumstances across the 3-11 age range. As CEO of REAch2, Cathie’s vision is the belief that school leadership at its heart is about transforming lives. Cathie joined REAch2 at the end of 2012 as its first employee when there were only four schools in the Trust; it remains an honour for her to assist each school in its transformation and lead the growing team that supports this process.

Vivienne Porritt OBE is a Leadership Consultant supporting professional learning, impact evaluation, strategy, women’s leadership. She is Vice-President of the Chartered College of Teaching and a Global Strategic Leader of WomenEd, a charity that elevates and supports women leaders globally. She’s the co-editor of 10%Braver: Inspiring Women to Lead Education and Being 10%Braver and a former headteacher.

Emma is proud to be Chief Executive Officer of the Voyage Education Partnership. She has overall responsibility for the work of the Multi Academy Trust, providing strategic vision and leadership as well as development of all academies and the Trusts Shared Services Team. Emma has worked in education for over 25 years and has held many roles including Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, Senior Education Advisor and Education Director and has experience of leadership in primary, secondary and special schools. Emma is an active advocate for female leadership and has had the privilege to coach and mentor many brilliant female leaders and establish and support female leadership circles and conferences.

Jessica joined E-ACT as Head of English in 2016 before joining the Senior Leadership Team the following year.  Jessica has led the development of Teaching and Learning and curriculum as Deputy Headteacher for Quality of Education, leading to significant improvement in student outcomes before becoming the substantive Headteacher in January 2023.

Jessica has worked in schools in challenging circumstances in Leeds and Kirklees for 15 years before joining E-ACT.  Jessica is committed to improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged students in society through education.  She completed her National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2021.

Jo joined E-ACT Merritts Brook Academy as a Deputy in 2012 when it was known as Trescott School. She became the headteacher in January 2013 when the academy became known as E-ACT Merritts Brook Academy.

Within Jo’s time at the academy, they have had two ‘Good’ Ofsted inspections. Jo became a system leader within E-ACT in 2015 where she supported and mentored at E-ACT Mansfield Green Academy and E-ACT Nechells Academy.

Clío Brown is the National Early Years and Early Reading Advisor for E-ACT. Having worked in the education sector for 13 years she has held a variety of roles from teaching positions to EYFS lead, Assistant Headteacher, DSL and Lead Practitioner for another large MAT. Clío contributes to Tes on Early Years and SEND issues and is a regular conference speaker. Clio is passionate about raising the profile of the vitality of the Early Years, especially in the early identification of SEND.

Dr Jayne Bartlett is an executive headteacher in EACT having led E-ACT Shenley Academy from special measures to good with three outstanding features.

Jayne is passionate about mental health and is a trainer for YMHFA. Jayne is Oxford educated and strongly believes in the importance of social and cultural capital and is the founder and series editor of the Make it Outstanding Series and a well published author for Routledge.