Strategic Board

Please find below a list of members of the 2024/25 Strategic Board:

Claire Taylor (Chair); AMSP Project Manager, Advanced Mathematics Support Programme

Claire has been involved in national initiatives to improve the delivery of Mathematics since 2018 and is currently the National Project Manager working on the Advanced Maths Support Programme (AMSP). Having previously worked as a Senior Leader within Secondary schools, Claire has managed change and implemented a number of whole-school initiatives and understands the importance of high quality, timely and relevant PD to drive improvement in the sector through all phases. As a graduate of the University of Hull and after teaching in Bridlington for a number of years, Claire has an interest in working to develop provision in the Yorkshire and Humber area, as well as Nationally. She has a good understanding of the working of Maths Hubs and Teaching for Mastery through her work with the NCETM prior to joining the AMSP and is looking forward to offering a level of challenge to the Maths Hub and helping to develop their strategic vision for the coming year.

Sue Slater; Senior Lecturer Mathematics Education, Sheffield Hallam University

Sue is currently a senior lecturer and PGCE course leader in secondary mathematics education at Sheffield Hallam University. She has taught on a range of ITT undergraduate, postgraduate and professional teacher education programmes. Her career history includes leadership experience in initial teacher education at both Sheffield Hallam University and Birmingham City University. In Birmingham, she held posts as head of mathematics education, director of schools’ partnership and PGCE Course Director. At Sheffield Hallam, she was previously partnership lead for School Direct and is now course leader for PGCE secondary mathematics. Prior to working in initial teacher education in Sheffield, Sue had a number of leadership roles with the National Strategies both in mathematics and in school leadership.

Sarah Paddock; Maths teacher, St Mary’s College, Hull

Sarah has 18 years’ experience in secondary teaching in Hull and East Riding and is currently NPQ lead facilitator for NPQLTD and lead facilitator for year 2 ECF mathematics across the local region. Sarah is a mentor for trainee teachers of mathematics and is a link tutor for the school direct programme with Vantage teaching school hub. Sarah was head of department at St Mary’s College in Hull over the past 5 years with responsibility for over 20 staff teaching students across key stages 3 – 5.

Richard Grogan; Headteacher, Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School, Pontefract Academies Trust

Richard brings 16 years of valuable experience in primary education to the table. With over eight years as a senior leader focusing on school improvement, he has a profound passion for teaching and learning. He is committed to continuous self-improvement and takes pride in his role on the Maths Hub Strategic Board, contributing to the organisation's pursuit of educational excellence.

Faye Hirst; Head of School, Orchard Primary Academy

Faye is currently the Head of School at Orchard Primary Academy in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. She leads on Maths and has done for the last 9 years across previous roles in other schools. Faye is a Maths SLE and came out of working in a school for 18 months to work as a Primary Maths Specialist. In two of the schools Faye has worked in, she has worked alongside Maths Hubs to begin the mastery journey from scratch. Faye is committed to developing Maths in my own school and beyond and look forward to supporting the Yorkshire & Humber Maths Hub.

Olivia Bennett; Head of Partnerships (North & East); National Institute of Teaching

Currently the Head of Partnerships for the North & East region of the NIoT, Olivia oversees the strategic relationships between the institute and Associate Colleges; placement schools and new partners, as well as leading on participant recruitment to ITE, ECF & NPQ programmes. Prior to this role, Olivia worked for Outwood Grange Academies Trust for five years in a multitude of roles within the Outwood Institute of Education, the trust's CPD arm. Passionate about improving the learning journey and outcome of students, through the development of our teachers and leaders, Olivia is excited to be a part of the fantastic work YHMH does across the region.

Phil Groves; Project Manager, Northern Power Grid

Phil is currently a project manager at Northern Powergrid, the electricity distribution network operator for Yorkshire and the Northeast, where he has worked for over 22 years. Phil has worked within the engineering, investment delivery, and business performance areas of the company and is currently working in the Smart Metering Data Team. Phil is a specialist in data analysis, presenting and communicating data at all levels of the business and has delivered projects involving machine learning and advanced analytics. Phil has an undergraduate MEng (Honours) Degree in Materials Engineering from Liverpool University and has recently completed a postgraduate Masters Apprenticeship in Data Analytics at Newcastle University. Phil is also the Chair of Governors at Outwood Primary Academy Bell Lane in Ackworth and has been part of their governing body for over 12 Years.

Julie Mills; Senior School Improvement Partner, Wakefield Local Authority

Julie is a senior school improvement adviser working closely with primary leaders in maintained schools and academies across Wakefield Local Authority. She is an experienced  leader, having been a headteacher for 15 years and executive headteacher of a school in special measures for two years before joining the school improvement team at Wakefield. Julie is committed to inclusive education and passionate about making a difference to the outcomes of young people, particularly those who face disadvantage. She has co-facilitated the primary mathematics network for Wakefield LA with colleagues for the Y&H maths hub for the past 6 years developing mathematics leaders knowledge and understanding of high quality mathematics provision.  

Charlie Stripp; Director, NCETM

Charlie has been the NCETM’s Director since 2013. He represents the NCETM nationally and internationally and often presents at conferences and events. He is also Chief Executive of MEI.

Gwyn Edwards; Teacher of Mathematics, Induction Tutor, NCETM PD Lead, Moor End Academy

Gwyneth has 20 years’ experience teaching in Huddersfield. She is a L&T Lead teacher and Induction Tutor at Moor End Academy. Gwyneth has previously been a Maths ACL for several years where she worked with the Maths Hubs to establish a mastery curriculum. Gwyneth is a PD lead and has led Work Groups for the Maths Hub. To support these roles, Gwyneth has completed a NPQML and NPQLL reflecting her belief that high-quality professional development is transformative. She is passionate about making mathematics accessible to all pupils and supporting teacher development and practices. 

Stephanie Barton; Deputy Head of Exchange Teaching Hub

Currently the Deputy Head of Exchange Teaching Hub, Stephanie oversees delivery of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) working with University College London and Best Practice Network. Stephanie is passionate about tackling educational disadvantage through inspiring professional learning and has been involved in the design and delivery of a range of professional development programmes for teachers and leaders at all stages of their career.

Stephanie's background is as an experienced secondary English teacher and leader, having worked in a range of diverse schools across the North of England. She has worked as a Vice Principal across two schools, responsible for behaviour, attendance and inclusion. 

Peter Langton; Assistant Maths Hub Lead (Secondary)

Pete began working with Yorkshire and the Humber Maths Hub in 2019. He decided to train as a Secondary Mastery Specialist after attending almost every other CPD opportunity offered by the Maths Hub. He has worked with teachers and schools across the county implementing CPD programmes, and has led multiple Work Groups including developing the subject knowledge of non-specialists, and a Maths and Science collaborative programme.

Nick Player; AMSP Area Coordinator for Kirklees, Wakefield, Barnsley, Doncaster 

Nick has over 20 years of teaching experience across sixth form colleges, secondary schools, and the special education sector. As an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) he has led on teacher development, contributing to professional growth across institutions.  In his role as a member of Senior Leadership Nick played a key part in shaping the strategic direction of a secondary school during a critical phase of its development. Nick has always been dedicated to teacher development, driven by the belief that world-leading teaching standards are crucial to providing all young people with the best life chances.

Catherine Wright; Associate Director of Reading, Outwood Grange Academies Trust

Catherine is the Associate Director of Reading for Outwood Grange Academies Trust and the Outwood English Hub Lead; she works in schools within and beyond the trust to enhance to quality of reading practice and performance.

Catherine qualified as a teacher in 2013 and has taught across the primary key stages. In addition to this, she was part of the Senior Leadership Team working as a Literacy Lead and Evidence-based Practice Lead for her previous school and worked to develop other schools’ literacy strategies. She has a BA (Hons), PGCE and Masters in Education.

Lucy Sykes; Director of the Teaching School Hub

Currently the Director of Calderdale and Kirklees Teaching School Hub and supporting school improvement across Share MAT, Lucy is committed to supporting high quality professional development for all staff working in education.

Lucy oversees the Teaching School Hub remit by working with local strategic partners to deliver impactful Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Early Career Teacher (ECF) training and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs).  She is a trained facilitator for Ambition Institute and sits on the board for the West Yorkshire Maths Hub.  Lucy's background prior to this role included the Director of School Improvement across 8 schools, working with both primary and secondary colleagues to improve outcomes for all children, regardless of their background. Lucy is looking forward to supporting the Yorkshire and the Humber Maths Hub.

Matthew Vickers; Lead Principal, Outwood Grange Academies Trust

Matthew Vickers is a Lead Principal for Outwood Grange Academies Trust, overseeing three primary schools in Wakefield and North Yorkshire. A passionate advocate for the mastery approach in mathematics, Matthew's expertise extends to his role as an Ofsted inspector. Balancing his dedication to education with a love for music and his beloved Leeds United, Matthew is passionate about improving the life chances of all children through effective system leadership.