Trust Senior Leaders

Claire taught at a number of schools in Hertfordshire before becoming head of Sir John Lawes School in 2006. In 2008, Sir John Lawes became a National Support School and Claire was made a National Leader of Education, since when she has led on school to school support work with a number of schools, leading to the setting up of the Scholars’ Education Trust in 2011. In September 2022, she stepped down as head of SJL and became full-time CEO of the Trust.

Claire sat on the Regional Schools’ Commissioner’s Head Teacher Board for the NWLSC region for 8 years and is also a founder director of the Harpenden Secondary Schools’ Trust, which was established to promote wider educational opportunities across the town. She is a Member of the Harpenden Secondary Education Trust, the governing body for Katherine Warington School, a free school which opened in Harpenden in 2019, and also a trustee of the Atlas Academies Trust and The Kemnal Academies Trust. Claire was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2018 for Services to Education, is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and an honorary fellow of Worcester College, Oxford University. In March 2023 Claire became an Ofsted Inspector.

Matt taught Business and Economics at a number of schools in Hertfordshire before being appointed deputy head at Sir John Lawes School in 2007.  Matt was appointed Head of Francis Bacon School in 2011 after it was placed in an OFSTED category and led its transformation into Samuel Ryder Academy, Herts’ 1st all-through school.

As Deputy CEO, Matt is now supporting other schools in the Trust, mentoring newly appointed head teachers and providing leadership and strategic guidance, particularly over data and curriculum.  Matt is a board member of the Alban Teaching School Alliance, Governor and Chair of the Resources Committee at the local Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), as well as a member of the St Albans Strategic Partnership Executive Group.

Hazel has worked in education for a number of years achieving her SBM qualification in 2004 followed by the NPQH in 2008.  She is a NASBM Fellow and was awarded NASBM School Business Manager of the year in 2015. 

Hazel was part of the original EIP team that supported Samuel Ryder and is now responsible for our central operational provision that encompasses finance, payroll, governance, IT, attendance, HR, SCR, Estates, administration & data, governance support and PR/marketing. Hazel’s expertise has led to her being frequently approached to speak at local and national conferences and to provide consultative support for a number of schools. Hazel is a key member of the school to school support team.