Neil Lockyer

I would be delighted to offer my service to the Advisory Board in supporting schools and academies throughout the region to benefit from membership of strong, innovative and dynamic MATs. I have spoken with and supported several schools who are considering moving into MATs, giving them an honest appraisal of the benefits, the challenges, and the ways of working that can lead to more successful outcomes. I have led my Trust since September 2018. We are one of the larger MATs in the region comprising of 21 schools (17 primary, 4 secondary), over 1,200 members of staff and around 8,600 pupils. Our trust is home to the Leicestershire and Rutland Teaching School Hub, and the DfE Exemplary Leadership Programme.

Working in partnership with two local authorities, our diocese, and other local schools and trusts, I experience the rewards of working in a collaborative way daily. I have first-hand knowledge and extensive experience of designing and delivering successful centralised services within the MAT environment (including school improvement, finance, HR, estates, IT), and I understand how these can both enhance effectiveness and productivity, and improve value for money for schools, ultimately leading to better life chances for the young people we serve.