Matt has rich experience of education, working across all sectors over the last 19 years. Before joining TEAM, he was the Headteacher of an Alternative Provision Academy where he took great pride in helping hundreds of vulnerable children who had previously been permanently excluded from mainstream school, to develop their social skills and move on to a positive destination. Prior to relocating to Derbyshire from Kent, he was a successful senior leader, with oversight of teaching and learning at an Outstanding secondary school. Originally trained as an English teacher, Matt led an award-winning Media and Film Department, and taught a vast range of additional subjects.

Matt has been an SLE, and as part of this role provided support, for the embedding of an entirely new English curriculum. He has coached other leaders, supported the development of curricula, and developed teaching and learning strategies and non-negotiables. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Matt’s work, is training middle leaders in the use of outcome data to inform planning, assessment, and future curriculum development.

Nicola Cook is a dedicated finance professional with over 20 years’ experience in senior financial management and operational roles.

She has been instrumental in achieving the continued growth of existing companies in a range of sectors and in setting up new companies and offices, both in the UK and overseas. Key to this was implementing procedures and software to ensure the smooth and efficient running of all aspects of the finance and administrative functions.  With a degree in Applied Accounting, Nicola is proficient in dealing with purchase and sales ledgers, payroll, budgetary control, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management.  She has also been responsible for implementing, documenting and monitoring policies, procedures and processes and ensuring compliance with statutory and legal requirements.

Experienced at identifying and securing funding for growth, procuring equipment, asset management, and negotiating on pricing enables Nicola to add value and identify cost efficiencies.

Nicola is patient, has a hands-on approach, and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others. This has proved successful in team building, staff mentoring, leadership and motivation.

Rachel has worked in education for the last 15 years, and in that time has enjoyed supporting a range of students with Special Needs to grow and develop. In addition to this, Rachel has used her talent to coach and mentor other teachers both in the Special and Mainstream sectors to improve their quality of teaching and thus the outcomes of their students.

Rachel has a BA Honours in Primary Education with a Specialism in Science, and an MA in Autism. In 2015, Rachel was designated a Specialist Leader of Education working for Synergy Teaching School Alliance. Rachel continues to take part in continual professional development activities and remains keen to develop her own skills and knowledge whilst supporting others. Rachel has recently successfully completed her National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership, leading a whole school project around the use of Coaching to improve the quality of Teaching and Learning and reduce the variation in pupil outcomes.