In my overall career I have significant experience in working with pupils with challenging behaviour.  I have led an SEN Unit within an FE College, worked with young offenders, and had a range of teaching and leadership experience within Special Schools (Secondary Boys and All-age)

I have previous head teacher experience of a) a Special School – Moderate Learning Difficulties, Behaviour and Autism, b) a Secondary Fresh Start School, c) an all-through Academy (3 – 16 years).

Since taking early retirement from my head teacher role I have worked as an Education Consultant supporting Multi-Academy Trusts, in particular in their structural development and school improvement processes.  Within this role I currently support 6 Multi-Academy Trusts in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Sheffield, York, Hull and Middlesbrough.   Within the context of this role I also support performance management of CEOs, development of Free Schools and Project Leadership of Large Scale School Improvement Projects (SSIF).  I have also supported MATs in the development of effective governance models, including schemes of delegation and articles of association, and wider governance models relating to HUB models.

I am currently a member for Sir Christopher Hatton Academy – a role I took on last November.  Within the context of this role I have begun to identify how the role of member can support and enhance the role of Trustees, while allowing them to effectively carry out their role.

External to my head teacher role I have also worked for the National College Teaching and Leadership, and previously for the College when it was the National College for School Leadership.  Within this role I played a crucial role in the establishment and role out of the first cohorts of teaching schools, in particular in Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire, and provided support for schools considering becoming Academies or establishing themselves as MATs.  This role has enabled me to have a deep understanding of the current leadership system and of the role system leaders are required to play to ensure we move to a joined up system within a complex and disjointed system.

Over the past year I have worked for the Teaching School Council, which has involved close working with the RSC and the RSC team, and also all teaching schools within the East Midlands, South Yorkshire, York and Humber Region.  Through this role I have developed positive working relationship and increased the opportunities and structures to enable teaching schools to work more closely together.  Within the context of this I am currently carrying out a review of SEND within Hull.

Neil Catterson is a senior manager in the probation service and was previously a manager in local authority social care. As a senior manager he knows when to operate at a strategic level and when to be operational. He has gained extensive experience working with people feel marginalised and socially excluded so has an extensive understanding of the often complex social, psychological and personal factors which are at play. He is committed to recognising and celebrating diversity and understands and believes in the importance of equality of opportunity for our staff group. All skills that will allow him to understand the complex range of settings and schools within Venn.

As a practitioner and manager he has a significant and extensive experience in areas of child and adult safeguarding. As a manager in social care and probation he has extensive HR and staffing experience including recruitment, staff supervision and support, following and implementing disciplinary proceedings, undertaking investigations concerning, complaints, grievances and professional practice issues. He has extensive experience of managing budgets and facilities. These are essential strategic skills required to ensure good value for the public purse.

Mark has held senior leadership roles in the finance sector for over 38 years; he currently works for a large international bank with branches across the UK.  He has extensive knowledge covering a variety of skills with customers, colleagues and external professionals.  An effective communicator, he has skills and experience of strategic decision making and managing staff.

Mark has three children who have all been educated in Hull.  His eldest daughter has Special Education Needs and attended a Hull special school, where he was a parent governor.  This included various roles particularly on the finance committee and gave him an insight in to the importance of SEND provision. He is passionate about ensuring that all children receive the best possible education and life chances possible.

Mike is a professional engineer with over 50 years experience. Having spent the first 30 years in the Royal Air Force before seeking a new challenge, Mike has since worked for a number of international companies managing large infrastructure and rail projects all over the world. Mike believes that all children should have the educational opportunity to explore their true potential.