Sue Samson

I have been CEO of the University of Chichester Multi-Academy Trust for seven wonderful years and have seen first hand how the Academies Programme can transform the lives of children and communities. The power of a collaborative delivery model responsive to the needs of every school has brought benefits that are tangible, significant and that we should all be proud of. The pandemic has served to strengthen Academy Trusts and there is strong evidence that Trusts have provided a level of support and engagement during this crisis which has not been available through more traditional routes. We need to ensure that we learn from these experiences and 'build back better' in a way that enables all children to thrive and achieve great things.
I have worked in education for fifty years as a teacher in primary secondary and special schools. I have also worked in a Local Authority, as an Ofsted Inspector and in the ESFA, where I was Director of Academies for SESL I believe that my previous experience, my passion for the academies programme, my extensive networks and my knowledge of the region would enable me to add value if I was selected for this role. Thank you.