Whole Education was founded as a national network in 2010, emerging from the RSA’s Charter for 21st Century Education. Our dynamic network consists of over 500 schools and partners committed to learning from and with each other to deliver a ‘whole education’.
Educators tell us this vision of a fully rounded education resonates with the reasons they came into the profession, and helps provide a common language and framework for doing something about it.
We believe that the essential knowledge on how to deliver such an education is in the system. WE exist to connect the dots; to enhance the ability of schools, teachers and leaders to offer a whole education to all and provide support to solve common challenges we face.
We hope you will join us in this mission.
Lord Knight, Chair of Whole Education
MEET THE TEAM
Executive Director
Douglas Archibald
Douglas is Whole Education’s Executive Director for Development. His focus is on supporting education transformation through peer-to-peer networks. Douglas started his career as a manager on Accenture’s Human Performance practice before leading the development of the Knowledge and Innovation Network at Warwick Business School.
His work on networks has been published in Harvard Business Review and he has advised a number of third and public sector bodies, including the United Nations Development Program and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Before leading Whole Education he was a Partner at the Innovation Unit.
My favourite teacher at secondary school… was Mr Mackie, my history teacher, because he made it fun and enjoyable. He was uniquely eccentric and was hugely passionate about the subject, which rubbed off on all of us.
Executive Director
James Pope
James is Whole Education’s Executive Director for Schools and Trust. James is passionate about education, learning and leadership. Believing in the power that education has to inspire young people and transform lives. He describes himself as an accidental teacher and a deliberate leader, realising that through school leadership he could work alongside others to deliver a vision for education.
James has fifteen plus years of school leadership experience, most recently as a headteacher and executive leader in a trust. He left to start a new organisation, InspirEDucate, with the aim of developing networks of leaders who share his passion for change within and across the education system. Alongside his WE work James supports Headteachers and Trust Leaders across the country through the HeadsUp campaign.
My favourite teacher at secondary school… was Mrs Ward, who went out of her way to teach me Biology, teaching me at lunchtimes and after school due to a timetable issue! She instilled in me a love of Biology and a deep respect for teachers.
Associate Director
David Crossley
David is passionate about curriculum design and supports schools to maintain an entitlement to a whole education while responding to current changes. David’s ideas derive from his four Headships and work with outstanding school leaders.
He supports the development of effective partnerships working with LAs, MATs and other organisations. David created the DfE’s Raising Achievement Transforming Learning (RATL) programme involving more than 700 schools, which was described by Andrew Hargreaves as “One of the most distinctive, promising and successful reform models in the recent history of educational change”.
His book, Sustainable School Transformation: An Inside Out Approach was published in 2013.
Can help you with: curriculum design; school improvement; school-to-school support
Email:info@wholeeducation.org
Director
Dr Sebastien Chapleau
Sebastien is the Director of the Big Education Conversation, leads Whole Education’s communities work, and works in the WE primaries team.
He previously spent 6 years as the Founding Headteacher of La Fontaine Academy in Bromley. Sebastien also held the post of Senior Education Organiser with Citizens UK, where he supported headteachers across London around issues of youth leadership and community engagement.
His community organising work in London was recognised in 2012 with a Community Champion Award from the Mayor of London. He also received an Inspirational Educator from the Worshipful Company of Educators for his work across the UK.
My favourite teacher at school was my English Language teacher because she took a deep interest in knowing who I was and what I really cared about.
Director of Primaries
Jo Corrigan
Previously a professional, committed, experienced and successful Primary headteacher, Jo is now the Director of Primary for Whole Education. She previously served in a similar role for SSAT, and brings significant experience of what makes the most difference when supporting a national network of schools.
Jo has worked in a wide range of schools with differing contexts across two Local Authorities, providing the vision and leadership required to ensure a high-quality education for pupils.
My favourite teacher at school… was Mr Lynham because he made learning fun, exciting and relevant. He knew all of his pupils extremely well.We would often ‘down tools’ and sing songs! It was great to return to the school as a NQT and work alongside him as a teacher and leader for 6 years.
Director of Secondary
Shonogh Pilgrim
Shonogh joined Whole Education in September 2021 having spent the last 7 years as the Headteacher of rural secondary academy in Somerset. She started her career as a teacher of Psychology and Science but found her true passion when promoted to be a Head of Year. Since then Shonogh has worked in 3 very different schools in the counties around her home city of Bristol. Her experiences through 19 years of school leadership have shaped her beliefs about education and led to deep interests in such areas as restorative justice, student and staff agency, and the development of leadership skills and behaviours in people of all ages. Shonogh has a strongly held commitment to inclusion and working to create an education system that allows every individual to become the best version of themselves.
My favourite teacher at primary school was Mrs Hanley who laid the foundation for my love of learning by taking the time to notice me as an individual and do all she could to nurture my developing skills. At secondary school Mrs Heron, who taught me fashion and textiles, made it acceptable for an academically gifted student to be creative. She was tenacious in her insistence that I should be allowed to study a subject that was my passion when everyone else was advising against it. She was a total individual with a real sense of style; I owe my obsession with clothes to her, alongside my commitment to make sure that every child I taught was supported to find their own path to satisfaction and happiness.
Director of Secondaries
Lisa Ling
Lisa joined Whole Education in October 2016. Prior to this, she worked in secondary schools for twenty-one years; first as an English teacher and then for thirteen years as a senior leader and vice-principal.
Her passion as a teacher and leader has always been to provide an inclusive, engaging and rounded education for all young people. Throughout her school career, she has had a determination to help young people achieve academic excellence alongside developing the skills, knowledge, and qualities needed to flourish in life, learning and work.
My favourite and most influential teacher was Mrs Booth, a passionate English specialist with a desire to help the most disadvantaged youngsters to dream big who patiently gave them the tools with which to achieve these goals. Special mention also to Jonathon Neelands who taught me how to teach – a gift for which I will be eternally grateful.
Associate Director
Hannah Wilson
Hannah Wilson is an independent educational consultant who specialises in leadership development and training. She is a DfE coach for the Women Leading in Education initiative and an advocate for flexible working (the focus for her MA in Education).
Her former roles have included:
- Head of Secondary Teacher Training, University of Buckingham
- Founding Executive Headteacher of Aureus School & Aureus Primary School, GLF Schools
- Strategic Lead for the GLF Teaching School Alliance
- Sub-Regional Strategic Lead for the SE Women Leading in Education Network for Oxon, Berks and Bucks (NCTL)
- Professional Learning Lead for the Harris Federation
Operations Manager
Fie Rason
Fie joined Whole Education in 2020 to provide support for the development of the operational elements of the business, to help ensure it is robust, has fit for purpose programme management processes and joined up strategic thinking across the organisation – thus ensuring that we deliver our whole education mission and values.
Fie is an experienced Project Manager, who has worked and volunteered in the charity, not for profit and education sector for over 20 years. She is passionate about the benefits of collaborative working, a common sense approach to project management and process-driven approach to work within any organisation.
My favourite teacher… was my German teacher at school, who taught me to not fear language lessons like I had previously, and although by no means my favourite subject it was possible to achieve in something that didn’t come naturally.
Finance Manager
Sharon McCormack
PROJECT MANAGER
Meredith Arthur
Meredith joined Whole Education in September 2021 to manage the Words for All project, after having taken some time out of her career to look after her daughter. She has worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, managing a variety of different projects from education to sustainability, all driven by her passion for supporting communities and empowering people to reach their full potential.
My most influential and memorable teacher was my Secondary school French teacher, who ignited my love of languages by making it fun and interesting and provided me with a great level of support throughout my school career.
Communications Manager
Rhys Williamson
Rhys joined Whole Education as Communications Manager in September 2021 to provide digital and marketing support to various programmes and events across the organisation.
Rhys previously worked for the Mark Allen Group, where he ran marketing campaigns across their education portfolio of publications, conferences, awards, webinars and jobsites.
My favourite teacher at school…was my English teacher Mr. Bridges, who valued my creative approach and made learning fun.
PROJECT EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Verity Smith
Verity joined Whole Education in January 2022 to provide administrative support to our Directors of Primary, Secondary and Trust as well as support to our Project Leaders.
Verity is an experienced administrator having worked in the insurance sector and for the last twenty years in the education sector as a personal assistant to her headteachers. Verity is excited to be working for an organisation making a difference for the whole individual. She volunteers in the youth sector, enjoys walking, reading and being at the beach.
My favourite teacher at school…was my Russian Teacher who did not give up on me and through her support and tenacity enabled me to achieve in an area of learning that I still find hard. Languages is a real skill and an area of learning that I continue to keep trying.
PROJECT LEAD
Eloise Adamson
Eloise joined Whole Education in February 2022 as a project lead for the SEND programme. She previously worked as a SENCo and Assistant Headteacher in a London primary school, and has taught in both mainstream and specialist settings during her career. Eloise is committed to inclusion, and to ensuring that pupils with SEND are able to access the support they need at every stage of their education in order to reach their full potential.
My favourite teachers at school…were my A-Level Politics teachers: two very different but equally tenacious women who taught me how to be thoughtful and question the world around me, think critically and never be afraid to stand by my own beliefs.
PROJECT LEAD
Sophie Smithdale
Sophie joined Whole Education in March 2022, leaving her previous role as Programme Leader of a large Maths and English GCSE Resit department in a Land Based agricultural college in Cheshire. Sophie started her career as a project manager and consultant in the environmental sector before retraining to teach, joining a rural secondary school in the Humanities department, then moving into the FE sector 6 years ago. During her time in FE, Sophie was struck by the disillusionment, distrust and frustration of the resit cohorts towards education and educators seemingly stemming from experiences at school. As a result, she has championed research into the impacts of oracy and vocabulary acquisition on self-confidence, schemes of work focussing on confidence and relationship building and the impact of cultural diversity and resources to support student’s growth and wellbeing within the FE sector. Sophie is passionate that students should go through an education system which celebrates, supports and equips them, but never damages the confidence and self-worth of the learners.
My favourite teachers at school…was my Geography teacher, Mr Bennett. He was a non-conformist in a conformist, grey system and made me think outside the box linking school to the ‘real’ world. He made me question and consider things I thought were certain and he made me feel like I had something worth saying and he wanted to hear it.
OUR BOARD
Chair
Philippa Cordingley
Philippa Cordingley, Chief Executive of CUREE, is a renowned expert in evaluation, research use and school improvement and leadership through effective Continuing Professional Development and Learning (CPDL). Philippa leads CUREE’s signature research service for evaluating the learning environment for teachers and learners in schools, SKEIN.
Her long career in education has focused on the ‘main thing’ – the success and wellbeing of pupils and students. After cutting her teeth in the education world, Phillipa grew the Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE) which she founded in the mid-1990s. As Chief Executive, Philippa rapidly established CUREE’s national and international reputation for excellence in research into CPDL; developing innovative approaches to putting research and evidence into the hands of teachers and leaders for them to use to change their practice. This covered systematic technical reviews of education research in England and designing the single biggest programme of RCT’s in education in the world.
She is a member of the recent DfE Expert CPD Group, of the School 21 Trust, of Eton’s Research Advisory Group and of OECD’s Expert Group for Country reviews of teacher preparation and formation.
Her expertise has been used by a range of governments and organisations through membership of Expert Groups including:
- the DFE Expert Group on CPD
- OECD’s expert groups for carrying out Country reviews of Initial Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Learning
- National STEM learning Advisory Group
Vice Chair
Chris Padden
Chris Padden is the U.S. treasurer and board board member of the Royal Society of Arts, a pioneer of social change for over 260 years. The RSA addresses the most pressing social challenges through ideas and action by nurturing and engaging a network of fellows, employees and partners to be proactive, intellectually curious and entrepreneurial.
He was the CEO of the Assessment Foundation, one of the UK’s leading non-profit organisations supporting educational improvement, for 11 years. The Assessment Foundation develops programs and technology to harness what learners know, understand and can do to accelerate learning. Under Chris’s leadership, the Foundation was commissioned by the Department for Education to develop and implement the ‘baseline’ assessment used to measure learner progress.
Chris is the author of Progression through Skills, Progression beyond Levels and the Assessment Effectiveness Framework, as well as being a speaker at conferences including The Guardian’s Innovation in Education conference and the INCERTS leadership conference.
Director
David P Curtin
A chance meeting with the headteacher led David to becoming a governor of a primary school in Newham in London and beginning his involvement in education. For 35 years, David was a lawyer specialising in finance and corporate governance. He found he was able to contribute those skills to the school and later to a cooperative group of Newham schools. His passion for education and dedication to well-rounded, engaging growth learning, has grown from there.
He was raised in Buffalo, New York in the USA. After graduating from Princeton and Boston College Law School he practiced law with Bingham, Dana & Gould in Boston and Jones Day New York before coming to London in 1990. He was General Counsel at ICO Global Communications and Aspen Insurance and General Counsel-International at Northern Trust Bank.
Board member
Heather Styche-Patel
Heather is the Head of Strategy, Marketing & Research at RSAcademics and has extensive experience leading projects for both independent schools and state schools. She has a thorough understanding of how schools and their boards operate. Heather has orchestrated numerous large-scale projects, including: strategic reviews; qualitative and quantitative research studies, rebranding programmes; development and fundraising reviews and change management initiatives.
Heather leads the RSAcademics’ thought leadership research and is the Editor of their ground-breaking Ten Trends reports.
In addition to Heather’s school experience, she has over 15 years of higher education management experience, as a Faculty Manager and then Director of Marketing & Communications at the University of Surrey. Originally graduating with a degree in law and German, Heather chose to pursue a career in education management and went on to study for a Masters in Business Administration, graduating from Henley Management College in 2000. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Management Institute.
Board member
Neil Carmichael
Neil Carmichael, Honorary Professor of Politics and Education, University of Nottingham, and UCL (IoE), is Chief Executive of UCEC (Education China), Board Member for Strategy, FN Robotics (China), Non-Executive Chair of the Association of Dental Groups; Senior Adviser, PLMR, providing strategic advice and support across all sectors; Chief Education Consultant at Christine Lee & Co (solicitors); and Chair of the Commission on Sustainable Learning for Work, Life and a Changing Economy (Pearson UK). He is also a consultant with the Westminster Foundation of Democracy, currently working in Myanmar.
Neil is also a Trustee, Sir Heinz Koeppler Trust – Wilton Park, promoting international peace and security; and, a member of the Advisory Board of the D Group, strategic advice and international network. He is a Trustee of the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation.
Neil was Member of Parliament for Stroud (2010-17), serving on the Education Select Committee and latterly as Chair. He established the All Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) on School Leadership and Governance, Chair of Vascular Disease APPG, producing influential reports on clinical methods and took the Antarctic Act 2013 through Parliament. Neil was Chair of the Conservative Group for Europe and is Director of Modern Europe. He was Chair of the Board of FESTOMANE (Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering), until 2019.
BOARD MEMBER
Antonia Spinks
Antonio Spinks is the Co-CEO of Pioneer Educational Trust and a founding member of Whole Education’s Network Leadership Group.
BOARD MEMBER
Kerry Scott
Kerry Scott is the Headteacher of Ainslie Wood Primary School and a founding member of Whole Education’s Network Leadership Group.
BOARD MEMBER
Chris Parkinson
Chris Parkinson is the CEO of Life Multi Academy Trust and a founding member of Whole Education’s Network Leadership Group.
BOARD MEMBER
Cath Taylor
Cath Taylor is the Executive Headteacher of the Aspire Federation and a founding member of Whole Education’s Network Leadership Group.
WE Services
Across our team we have a wide range of specialist knowledge and expertise. Get in touch if you would like to talk to us about:
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One of our team speaking on your panel or at an event
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Advising you on the design of an event or conference
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Delivering CPD or a workshop to your school or Trust
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Building a self-improving system at a local or regional level
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Or any other forms of bespoke support for whole education provision in your school, Trust or region!
JOIN THE TEAM
We are always keen to hear from people with experience of the education sector who care about making a difference- people who love schools, and want to work with them to give all children and young people a fully rounded education. If that sounds like you then get in touch!
