Meet Our Team

Central Team

• Angelo Goduti
  Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  Angelo Goduti

  Angelo Goduti has been EAST's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from September 2020, appointed to the full-time role in September 2021. Prior to this, he was the Headteacher at Bungay High School, having been appointed in 2014. Prior to being appointed at Bungay High School, Angelo was the Deputy Headteacher at Farlingaye High School, another EAST school. Over the last twenty years, Angelo has worked in schools in Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Thurrock and Bedfordshire. His roles have also included Assistant Headteacher 14-19, Head of Sixth Form, Head of Humanities, Head of History and Head of Year.

• Cheryl Singleton
  Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) & Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  Cheryl Singleton

  Cheryl joined EAST in 2023 having been a primary headteacher and then a primary Trust CEO since 2014. During her time as CEO she was heavily involved in both the educational improvement of the Trust and the finance and operations elements of running a large organisation. During this time she completed an MBA and is now working towards a CIPD qualification. Cheryl leads the finance and HR teams at EAST to support schools in giving pupils the best opportunities in their education.

• Kirk King
  Director of Estates & IT
  Kirk King

  Kirk, who joined the Trust in January 2023, has a wealth of experience in facilities, risk, and health and safety management, that he acquired from his time spent working in both the NHS and private sector. Throughout the COVID pandemic, Kirk directly oversaw the operational and risk management in a number of hospital settings. While employed in the private sector, Kirk managed the health and safety, and compliance of the estate for a FTSE100 company consisting of multiple sites throughout the Midlands and the north of England. All of our schools are now able to use this considerable knowledge.

• Helen Murray
  Director of Primary Education
  Helen Murray

  Helen joined Avocet Academy Trust, now EAST, in 2015 at Wickham Market Primary School as a member of SLT and teacher. Helen then took on the role of Assistant Principal at Easton Primary School for one year before moving back to Wickham Market in 2017 as the Headteacher. Helen remained here until 2023 taking the school through two good OFSTED inspections. In September 2023, Helen took on the role of Executive Headteacher across the five primary schools. Prior to working at Avocet and EAST, Helen has worked at a variety of schools and has a breadth of experience in different settings. From 2008 - 2013 Helen worked at The British School Muscat, Oman as a Year 4 teacher and during that time led Maths and English. Before embarking on the international journey, Helen worked in inner city Manchester school, her home town, as well as teaching in Hampshire at an infant school and Catholic primary. Helen started her career in teaching having previously worked in the airline industry and then recruitment.

• Anna Mears
  Director of SEND
  Anna Mears

  Anna Mears has been the Headteacher at Castle EAST School since April 2021, and EAST SEND Lead since September 2024. Castle EAST School opened in September 2021 and offers specialist education for pupils between the ages of 9 - 16 years who have a diagnosis of communication and interactions needs or Autistic Spectrum Condition. The school educates and supports children and young people to develop a range of skills and qualities with support from a team of staff who are hugely ambitious for pupils to achieve both their academic and social goals. Anna is also Chair of the Suffolk Special School Heads Panel. Prior to being appointed at Castle EAST School, Anna was the Senior Deputy Headteacher at Olive AP Academy in Stowmarket. Over the last twenty years, Anna has worked in schools across Essex and Suffolk, in both mainstream and specialist provision. Her roles have also included Headteacher at an SEMH provision, Deputy Headteacher at an all-through special school, SENCO and Head of Year.

• Jill Porter-Hardy
  Finance Partner
  Jill Porter-Hardy

• Ollie Featherstone
  Finance Partner
  Ollie Featherstone

• Chris Gilling
  Finance Officer
  Chris Gilling

  Chris qualified as a Chartered Accountant at a London accountancy practice before being appointed the UK Financial Accountant of a multi-national packaging company based in Windsor.

  After a relocation to Shropshire, Chris spent 10 years running the finance offices of a number of small businesses and a charity which provided training for school leavers who had not secured employment or further education.

  Her career in education began in 2013 and has worked for 3 secondary schools and a nursery school.

  Returning to Suffolk in 2022, Chris worked at Farlingaye High School until transferring to the Central Team in 2024.

• Na-Ryong Lee
  Senior Finance Assistant
  Na-Ryong Lee

• Lauren Clark
  Finance Assistant
  Lauren Clark

• Natalie Kelly
  Finance Assistant
  Natalie Kelly

• Tracy Waite
  Finance Assistant
  Tracy Waite

• Emma Power
  Executive Assistant (EA)
  Emma Power

  Emma joined the Trust in November 2020, and brings to the team knowledge from a varied background. Originally, Emma started her career as the Receptionist for a firm of Charted Accountants and soon worked her way up to become Practice Manager. Following 7 years within the accountancy practice, it was time for a new challenge, and Emma became Studio Manager for a global visual marketing company. In this roll Emma led a wide variety of projects for high end brands across the world. Emma now joins the EAST community with huge enthusiasm to utilise her skills within this very important sector.

• Louise Turner
  Lead Governance Professional
  Louise Turner

  Louise joined the Trust in October 2022. Offering a diverse range in professional and academic experience from Educational Publishing to Journalism, Louise originally qualified as a Youth Worker whilst studying for her A-Levels. Many years later following a BA Hons in Business and a PGC in Corporate Communication, she set up her own media business. Louise was a school governor for many years in Yorkshire before moving to Suffolk, whereby she spent 8 years as a safeguarding lead governor within a local academy trust. Having recently added to her academic profile an MA in Publishing, Louise is extremely keen to combine her knowledge and skills with that of the EAST community.

• Melissa Rodwell
  Trust HR Manager
  Melissa Rodwell

  Melissa joined Avocet Academy in December 2016. She has carried out a number of roles within the academy including finance and HR. Prior to working in the education sector she had HR roles within Suffolk Police and the Energy Sector. Melissa generally loves all things sport related especially hockey where she is chair person of a local team.

• Nicki Legh-Smith
  Compliance Officer
  Nicki Legh-Smith

• Steve Huxley
  Premises Coordinator (Primary Schools)
  Steve Huxley

• Sophie King
  Data Lead Team
  Sophie King

  Sophie King is Deputy Headteacher at Bungay High School. She is responsible for Achievement, including leading assessment and feedback, monitoring progress and tracking whole school data. Sophie graduated in 2010 with a BSC (Hons) in Environmental Science, and gained her PGCE at UEA in 2011. Sophie has been a member for SLT at Bungay High School for five years, and Deputy Head for three of these. Before this, she has had leadership roles as Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Head of Geography, and Head of Humanities.

  As part of the Data Lead Team, Sophie is responsible for collaborative working across the trust with the Assessment teams in each school, as well as working with Headteachers and the CEO on school and trust level data.

• Leigh Read
  Data Lead Team
  Leigh Read

  Leigh joined Bungay High School in September 2007, and became Data Manager in February 2008, when the position was relatively new in schools. Leigh's role is very wide and as well as data analysis also includes student timetabling and admissions. During this time there have been several changes within Education, which has led to Leigh working with the Senior Team to develop and evolve the reporting and analysis processes to keep pace with this at school and now Trust level.

• Louise Gilmour
  Safeguarding Lead
  Louise Gilmour

  Louise is Deputy Headteacher at Farlingaye High School, a large outstanding secondary school. She is responsible for curriculum and is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Louise has been teaching for 21 years and has spent the last ten at senior leadership level. As well as teaching Geography and Maths, her first leadership role was a pastoral one, where she worked with a range of young people, families, and external agencies. In her role as DSL she developed her knowledge and experience, with ensuring that students are safe and supported, especially in times of crisis, at the core of her work. She is also the Designated Teacher for Children in Care, and has worked with a number of LA Virtual Schools to ensure that the quality of pastoral and academic provision for some of the most vulnerable young people is gold rated.

  As EAST Safeguarding Lead she is responsible for quality assuring the Safeguarding processes, support for young people, recruitment, and allegation management across all EAST schools, and working with headteachers and DSLs to ensure best practice.

Primary School Leaders

Secondary School Leaders

• Chanel Oswick
  Headteacher at Bungay High School
  Chanel Oswick

  Chanel Oswick is the Headteacher at Bungay High School joining the EAST Trust in 2021. Chanel graduated in 1999 with a BSC (Hons) in Biology and Psychology and after spending time working and travelling the world, gained her PGCE at UEA in 2002. Chanel was recently appointed as Headteacher of Bungay High School in September 2021 having been in education for almost 20 years across 4 different schools. Previously, Chanel has worked as a Vice Principal at two schools, Interim Headteacher and most recently, was working at Trust level as Lead for Whole School Improvement across several Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form providers in Norfolk.

• Peter Smith
  Headteacher at Farlingaye High School
  Peter Smith

  Peter Smith has been the Headteacher at Farlingaye High School since September 2023. After graduating with a History degree in 2002, Peter taught briefly in the North East of England before moving to Suffolk where he has over 20 year's teaching experience. Peter has taught in four different Suffolk schools, with experience of leadership positions in every Ofsted category. Prior to his appointment as Headteacher at Farlingaye, Peter worked as Deputy Headteacher at the school for 9 years with a responsibility for staffing and also for establishing the Trust's own teacher training provider, EAST SCITT in 2021. Outside of the classroom Peter has worked for QCA, as well as writing for Hodder and OUP. He has delivered inset on both a local and national level.

• Claire Elliott
  Headteacher at Holbrook Academy
  Claire Elliott

• Julia Upton
  Headteacher at Kesgrave High School
  Julia Upton

  Julia Upton has been Headteacher of Kesgrave High School since September 2020. She has worked in Suffolk schools for thirty years. Kesgrave High School is her second school as Headteacher, the first being Debenham High School for eight years. Prior to this she worked in King Edward VI School (Bury St Edmunds), The Denes High School (Lowestoft) and Stowmarket High School. Whilst she has been in each corner of the county, she hasn't yet made it out of Suffolk! Julia's subject specialism is Mathematics and remains passionate about the quality of education in this cornerstone of learning. Through her role as Chair of the Strategic Board of Angles Mathematics Hub she continues her link with this area of her expertise. Julia has been involved with strategic leadership beyond her own school in a number of roles over the last few years. These include National Leader of Education, Member of Suffolk Schools' Forum and Member of ASCL Council, including Chair of Pedagogy Committee. She continues to engage in partnerships beyond her own school in order to contribute more widely to the educational landscape and the development of young people.

Special School Leaders

EAST SCITT

• Kerensa Carrick
  Director
  Kerensa Carrick

  Kerensa is the Director of East SCITT and a teacher of English at Farlingaye High School. Kerensa has been teaching for 20 years and worked in several roles in Initial Teacher Training and with Newly Qualified Teachers including as SCITT Senior Trainer and School Professional Tutor. Before assuming the role of SCITT Director, she was Head of English at Farlingaye High School. Kerensa is a strong advocate of school-centred initial teacher training and believes that beginning teachers are best nurtured by the experience and expertise of practising teachers.

  As Director she is responsible for overseeing the day to day workings of the training programmes that we deliver as well as working with East Anglian Schools Trust to establish the educational vision and values that underpin our work.

• Helen Millson
  Primary Programme Leader
  Helen Millson

  Helen is currently Maths Lead at Springfield Junior School, a 3 form entry outstanding Junior School in Ipswich. Having completed her training in 2012, Helen has taught across the primary age range, gaining most experience in Upper Key Stage 2. She has undertaken a number of roles in school, leading different subject areas and then becoming a year group leader. For the last 7 years, she has worked extensively with trainees and early career teachers by providing in school mentoring and support. Helen thrives on working with trainees and watching them grow into classroom practitioners. She is a Specialist Leader in Education for the Springfield Teaching School Alliance. As part of her work for the Teaching School, she has delivered a range of CPD for early career teachers and supported colleagues to improve their practice - from trainees and NQTs to leaders establishing their roles. Helen is an expert in mathematics, having completed her Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) training with Northampton University in 2016.

  As Primary Lead, she is responsible for day-to-day responsibility for all primary elements of EAST SCITT. These include selection & recruitment, management of the primary programmes, delivery & training, assessment, and quality assurance. Helen works closely with the SCITT Director to support the overall  vision and the future growth of EAST SCITT.

Members

• Tim Fosker
  Chair of Members
  Tim Fosker

  Tim retired from BT in 2016 after 37 years. He was employed as Programme Director at BT with responsibility for people management, financial management and delivering complex technical programmes of work both nationally and internationally.Tim has wide experience in education governance: 29 years experience as a governor across both Primary and Secondary phases; 15 years Melton Primary (Chair for 12 years) and 14 years Farlingaye (Chair for 10 years).

  Tim is an experienced leader with extensive understanding of education from a governors perspective: of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum delivery and performance, Financial planning and management, HR and Employment Law, HT Performance Management, Risk Assessment and Management, Safeguarding, SEND, Community Liaison with parents and between secondary primary schools, Resources and Premises Management.

• Jeremy Mead
  Member
  Jeremy Mead

  Jeremy was Vice President for leadership development at Unilever, having spent 18 years with them in a variety of leadership and operational roles. Since leaving Unilever in 2004, he has specialised in working with leaders and their teams to improve performance. Having spent several years in academic research, he is passionate about combining academic rigour with pragmatism in order to deliver practical ways to develop resilient leadership for individuals, teams and organisations.

  Jeremy has directed courses, worked with senior teams all over the world and coached people from all walks of life. In addition to founding Resilient Leaders Elements Ltd, highlights of Jeremy's career include being part of the team that quadrupled the size of Unilever's ice cream business in five years and going onto develop the long term strategy for Unilever as a member of Project Foresight.

  He has been involved in school governance since 2008, chairing local governing bodies, local advisory boards and boards of trustees. He was a founding Member and Chair of Trustees for Avocet Academy Trust and is enthusiastic about what we (EAST) can achieve for children in East Anglia.

• Peter Elliott
  Member
  Peter Elliott

  Dr Peter Elliott MBE. I had forty years working for the NHS, mostly as a GP, and also as a Medical Adviser to a Health Authority. I was a GP trainer, and prescribing lead. In 2008 I was awarded the MBE for services to medicine (mainly for developing a scheme to help refugee doctors join the NHS) and the community (mainly for my work with the Scout movement). My first school governor role was in the ‘80s at Ward Freman school in Buntingford. I have been a community governor, and chair of governors at Wickham Market Primary school, and part of the team which set up Avocet Academy Trust. I am also a Lay Elder and PCC member at All Saints Wickham Market.

• Zoe Sprake
  Member
  Zoe Sprake

  Zoë has thirty years' experience as a school governor in the Primary and Secondary sectors and became Chairman of Governors at both Earsham and Bungay High schools. Over the years, she served on all the main committees and took responsibility for SEN and Safeguarding, as well as being link governor at various times for Science, Music and Modern Foreign Languages.

  Zoë's professional career has been in the antique auctioneering business and currently she organises and promotes specialist auctions in Lowestoft porcelain. For many years, she has taken part in a range of voluntary work and served on committees of a number of charitable organisations.

  ,

Trustees

• Stella Mackenzie
  Chair of Trust Board
  Stella Mackenzie

  Stella was appointed Chair of Trustees in September 2022, formerly Chair of the Education Committee. Prior to that, she was a member of Bungay High School's Governing Body after retiring from the school as an Assistant Headteacher. Prior to retirement Stella was responsible for progress monitoring, assessment, whole school data tracking, disadvantaged students, attendance monitoring as well as all the other responsibilities of a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Prior experience at BHS included being Head of Mathematics, introducing and setting up a new pastoral structure (vertical tutoring) to the school as part of the school organisational review and closure of Middle Schools. In the past Stella was a Governor and then Chair of Governors over a period of about 12 years at her local Primary School.

• Emma Plane
  Chair of Audit & Risk Committee
  Emma Plane

  Emma has 13 years' experience as a primary school governor, including 5 years as Chair of Governors. This includes several years as part of a multi-academy trust. Emma is also a qualified Governance Professional.

  Emma is a qualified Human Resources (HR) Professional, having more recently applied her skills in the role of School Business Manager at a federation of primary schools in Suffolk. As well as HR and payroll, she was responsible for finance, health and safety, premises management and management of the office team, cleaners and midday supervisors. Emma has also been a Finance Manager within a Multi-Academy Trust central team and is currently Head of Recruitment & Resourcing for the same Trust.

  Emma is passionate about state education and believes that every child has the right to an education that gives them the best start and supports their aspiration to achieve whatever they want to in life.

• Stef Thorne
  Chair of Education Committee
  Stef Thorne

  Stef has worked in higher education since 2001 at the University of East London, University of Suffolk and is currently at University Arts London leading a business and innovation team. She is an experienced senior leader within higher education and has always been passionate about the importance of education to transform lives and communities and the relationship between industry and education. Stef is currently Chair of Governors at St John's School in Ipswich and has been a governor there for over 10 years, chairing the Curriculum Committee.

• Nick Wellington
  Chair of Estates & IT Committee
  Nick Wellington

  Nick is a trusted advisor, mentor and leadership coach who provides a confidential, authentic and unique perspective informed by his personal and professional experiences. Having begun his career in the Civil Service, leading to him becoming Private Secretary to a Cabinet Minister, Nick moved into the Private sector where he has led a number successful and diverse teams in the Finance and technology sectors. Nick has a strong passion for helping to ensure talented colleagues are recognised and have access and pathways to senior leadership within organisations. Much of his work now is collaborating with senior leaders who are looking to attract and retain diverse talent to build a values based and inclusive offer to colleagues which will help them succeed in the post pandemic era.

  In his spare time, Nick also acts as a Governance Support partner for Suffolk County Council.

• Stephen Shaw
  Chair of Finance & HR Committee
  Stephen Shaw

  He was a Governor at Kesgrave High School from 2010 - 2019, joining as a local authority governor and part of the school conversion to a single academy trust, becoming a community governor. Stephen is a qualified accountant with over 20 years' experience of financial management, treasury management, management accounting and budgeting. This experience has been gained in sectors as diverse as social housing, travel, manufacturing, the gas and electricity markets and the education sector. After working for a couple of organisations providing business services to schools, he is currently the Chief Operating & Financial Officer for a multi-academy trust. Stephen is also an accredited Schools Resource Management Adviser (SRMA), undertaking deployments to trusts at the request of the Department for Education.

• Darren Porter
  Trustee
  Darren Porter

  Joining the trust in September 2024 Darren brings corporate business and senior leadership experience to compliment the EAST team. Having worked in the risk and insurance industry for over 30 years his current role sees him as a Managing Director for Global Aviation & Space at WTW, where he leads their Aerospace Practice and is Head of Europe for Aviation.

  Darren has a strong track record and passion for building teams, developing talent, fostering an inclusive and diverse environment and enabling a collaborative team culture. He is a mentor and advisor within his company and the global aviation industry, and a supporter and facilitator of apprentice and graduate programmes.

  Outside of work Darren is a proud father of two children, a daughter at university and a son in high school.

• Don Hawkley
  Trustee
  Don Hawkley

  Until 2015, Don taught Art and Design and History of Art to A level. Following a period as Head of Art Don managed the then emerging Personal Social Health and Economic Education across the school; he designed an age-appropriate course which was embedded into the school curriculum from year 7 to year 13. Don's interest in the pastoral side of teaching also resulted in him taking on various student-centres support roles. Don continues to be a GCSE Moderator Team Leader for Art and Design. Don also coached 1^st XI cricket and hockey, ran sports tours in the UK, Sri Lanka, Barbados and the UAE.

  In 2015, Don became a governor at Saxmundham Primary School, when the school joined Avocet MAT, Don became Chair of Governors and a Trustee of Avocet. Following Avocet merging with EAST, Don became a Trustee of East where he now oversees Safeguarding across the Trust.

  Don has been a keen sportsman and coach; he follows England Cricket internationally, both independently and through leading supporters' tours. Don has also led and guided First World War Battlefields tours to Belgium and France and has an academic interest in modern history.

  Now in semi-retirement, Don works as a professional artist working in clay and oil on canvas, he has both a home painting studio and a ceramics studio at Butley Mills Studios; Don is a member of Anglian Potters, he exhibits regularly across East Anglia.

• Jenny McGhee Wallace
  Trustee
  Jenny McGhee Wallace

  Jenny has more than 25 years of experience in education, across primary and special sectors, in Scotland and England which gives her many skills which are transferable to the role of trustee. She has a particular interest in developing the arts within education and in inclusion and diversity.

  Jenny has previous experience as governor on a primary school LGB, as a foundation governor and later as staff representative.

  Jenny lives in the Woodbridge area with her husband, children, her dog and 2 cats. She is passionate about animals and the environment.

• Jonathan Duggan
  Trustee
  Jonathan Duggan

  Jonathan is CEO and owner of Saxon Salt Brokers, a multi award winning salt trading company he founded in 2002, now the largest independent salt trading company in the UK trading all types of salt worldwide from its offices in the UK and salt partner offices around the world.

  A highly motivated individual committed to working to very high standards within a motivated team or as an individual, determined to achieve business growth via a clear understanding of market forces and its competitors, exceptional analytical skills providing the basis for creative strategic thinking, results orientated and focused on achieving targeted objectives.

  Jonathan is also a director of a local property management company, a Council Board member of Suffolk Agricultural Association ( Suffolk Show ) and has farming and other business interests in Suffolk.

  Former Trustee of Avocet Academy Trust from its founding , on Finance, Audit and risk committees, former Governor and Chairman of Board of Governors Easton Primary School ( Avocet Academy Trust ) and a LAB member responsible for Health and safety at Easton Primary School from 2015, to October 2023.

  Jonathan lives on a arable farm in Easton with his wife and family, his main hobby is motorsport, collecting and racing classic sports cars.

• Neville Howe
  Trustee
  Neville Howe

  Neville was a governor at Farlingaye for six years and served as Deputy Chair during that time. He is a Lawyer (qualified solicitor and barrister) and has worked for the last twenty years in the financial services industry in the UK and overseas. He began his career in the Army and was a captain in the Royal Engineers. Neville's core skills are legal and financial and he has strong experience of corporate governance both as a lawyer and board member.

• Steve Clarke
  Trustee
  Steve Clarke

  Stephen is currently a Trust Governor and vice chair specialising in child safeguarding and online safety at two primary schools in the region.

  Stephen has worked within the public sector for 30 years initially within the British Army then joining Suffolk Constabulary where he has undertaken roles as a Detective within Child Protection, Criminal Investigation and more recently as the Detective Inspector responsible for the Digital Forensic & Cyber Investigative delivery across Norfolk and Suffolk.

  Stephen continues to work within national policing portfolios including the National Digital Investigations Advisory Group and the Digital Forensic Advisory Capability Group.

  Stephen has a passion for sports and spending time with his wife and two children.

• Tony Cooper
  Trustee
  Tony Cooper

  Tony is a retired engineer having started as an apprentice with Richard Garretts of Leiston.

  During his career he has gained Health & Safety, Quality Control, Mechanical Technician, water safety and all the usual statutory qualifications.

  Tony has been a Leiston Town Councillor for the past 30 years and was District Councillor for 12 years.

  He joined Woodbridge Private school as a technician covering technical drawing, woodwork, metal work and machine shop process.

  His next move took him to working for an American Company producing cardboard making machines and box making machines. His responsibilities started with installing the machines before he progressed through to worldwide spares and service manager. Tony then moved onto working with a Receiver company in disposing of assets.

  Tony's last move took him to an Engineering company specialising in machine shop and fabrication, with Tony's responsibilities including setting up a recognised quality control system and creating the companies Health and Safety policy.

  The company was contracted to produce water fitness equipment for use in swimming pools. Tony was responsible for design updates and scheduling the items to be manufactured and installed. This role gave Tony the opportunity to work throughout the world. “I was very lucky as there are not many counties that I have not worked in!”

  Tony has got lots of experience within the Education Sector. He has previously been a governor at Leiston Modern and Leiston Primary School and became a member of Avocet Academy Trust where he assisted with Leiston Primary and Aldeburgh Primary joining the MAT.

Please follow this link to view who is on our school's Local Governing Bodies (LGB):

Governance Constitution