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Headteacher Reference Groups

The Headteacher Reference Groups advise on the potential impact of policies on primary and secondary education, including any barriers to implementation. There are 2 groups: the Primary Headteacher Reference Group and the Secondary Headteacher Reference Group.

Terms of reference

The Headteacher Reference Groups support policy development and implementation across the Department for Education (DfE) by contributing views and providing feedback to ministers and officials. The groups are not representative and have no power of veto over policy decisions.

Meeting dates

The groups meet 4 times a year during term time.

Membership

Members of the Headteacher Reference Groups are school leaders working with a wide range of primary and secondary schools, including academies and local-authority-maintained, non-maintained and special schools across England.

The current members of the Primary Headteacher Reference Group are:

  • Annemarie Bell, Headteacher, Holy Cross and All Saints RC Primary School, North West
  • Nadine Bernard, Headteacher, Van Gough Primary School, London
  • Suzie Bourne, Headteacher, Witton Middle School, West Midlands
  • Michael Bradley, Headteacher, St Peter’s CofE Junior School, East Midlands
  • Richard Byrne-Smith, Headteacher, Hothan Primary School, London
  • Rebecca Cox, CEO, Hales Valley Trust, West Midlands
  • Nicolle Deighton, Executive Headteacher, Briarwood School, South West
  • Mark Dent, Director of Education, Cambrai Primary School, Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Lee Faris, CEO, Schools for Every Child, East of England
  • Cate Floyd, Deputy Director for Primary Improvement, Yewdale Primary School, North West
  • Danielle Kingham, Principal, St John Fisher Catholic Primary School,  London
  • Laleh Laverick, Director of Education, Tandridge Learning Trust, South East
  • Sean McKeown, Executive Headteacher, Silverwood School, South West
  • Matt O’Grady, Headteacher, West Horndon Primary School, East of England
  • David Parkin, Headteacher and Trust Vice Chair, Moorlands Primary School, South East
  • Anna Payne, Headteacher, Redbridge Primary School, London
  • Alex Steadman, Executive Headteacher, Ranskill Primary School and Langold Dyscarr Community School, East Midlands
  • Claire Deborah Stirland, Director of Education, Flying High Trust, East Midlands
  • Amanda Whittingham, Headteacher, Wensley Fold CE Primary Academy, North West
  • Steve Woodhouse, Headteacher, St Peter’s CE Primary School, North East

The current members of the Secondary Headteacher Reference Group are:

  • Steven Barnes, Headteacher, The Pilgrim School, South East
  • Joanna Beswick, Headteacher, Manchester Hospital School, North West
  • Mark Boughey, Principal, The Orme Academy, West Midlands
  • Charles Drew, Headteacher, The Commonweal School, South West
  • Steve Evans, CEO, Polaris Multi Academy Trust, Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Joanne Hamill, Headteacher, Oaks Park High School, London
  • Kelly Holbrook, Headteacher, Berwick Academy, South East
  • Imran Iqbal, Headteacher, Holly Lodge High School College of Science, West Midlands
  • Mike Lowdell, Headteacher and CEO, North Leamington School, West Midlands
  • Likhon Muhammad, Director of Secondary, Kings Group Academies, London
  • Steve Parsons, Headteacher, Thomas Tallis School, London
  • Jo Philpott, Headteacher, City of Norwich School, East of England
  • Joanna Postlethwaite, Headteacher, Somervale School, South West
  • Michael Power, Headteacher, St Helens Alternative Provision Service, North West
  • Neil Renton, Headteacher, Harrogate Grammar School, Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Dr Simon Riding, Headteacher, Matravers School, South West
  • Andrew Taylor, Headteacher, Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College, Yorkshire and the Humber
  • Mark Tilling, Headteacher, High Tunstall College of Science, North East
  • Theo Walker, Head of School, Turves Green Boys’ School, West Midlands
  • Dean Watson, Headteacher and Executive Trust Leader, Woodhey High School, North West
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