Networking

A nurturing network where early years leaders come together to strengthen practice, explore pedagogy, and ensure our youngest learners flourish from the very start.

Key Personnel

Sarah Tindal- Trust Early Years Lead, (Headteacher- Warley Road Academy)

Sarah is a values-driven school leader with over 15 years of experience in educational leadership. She holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Early Primary Education with QTS, the NASENCo award, and the NPQH, and has served as a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Early Years and SEND.

Sarah has led across a range of senior roles with expertise in school improvement, curriculum development, and inclusive teaching. Her leadership—particularly in diverse and disadvantaged settings—has driven significant improvements in teaching, provision, and outcomes.

As Head Teacher at Warley Road Academy within IMPACT Education Trust, Sarah has strengthened early years provision, and embedded inclusive practices. Known for her collaborative approach, high expectations, and commitment to equity, she fosters a culture where all pupils and staff are empowered to thrive.

A dedicated group committed to ensuring every child becomes a confident, fluent reader. Leaders collaborate on high-quality phonics provision, early reading strategies, and the development of a reading-rich culture across all settings.

Key Personnel

Ben Normington- Trust curriculum lead, (Headteacher- Lee Mount Academy)

Ben is a dedicated senior leader with over 16 years’ experience in education, including 8 years in senior leadership. He has a strong track record of school improvement, particularly in challenging contexts, and is known for creating inclusive, aspirational cultures where both staff and pupils flourish.

As Headteacher of Hill View Academy, Ben led the school from Inadequate to Good, driving improvements in behaviour, outcomes, and personal development. His leadership built a sustainable professional culture, with staff development at its core.

Ben also plays a key strategic role across the Trust. He led the design and implementation of the IMPACT Primary Curriculum, which has strengthened the quality of education in multiple schools. His work is grounded in coherence, disciplinary knowledge, and high expectations for all learners.

Driven by equity and excellence, Ben combines strategic insight with a collaborative approach to deliver lasting impact.

Lisa Lockwood – Lead Practitioner – (Teacher, Lee Mount Academy)

Lisa is a highly respected primary educator with over 25 years of experience. As a Lead Practitioner and member of the Trust’s Primary Curriculum Team, she supports national priorities including attainment, inclusion and early years quality. She leads the development of research-informed curriculum plans – especially in Science, History, and Geography – and delivers targeted CPD. Lisa designs purposeful learning that engages pupils and boosts attendance. Committed to inclusion, she supports EYFS, SEND, and SEMH teams, and mentors ECTs with care and insight. Contributing to Ofsted, reviews, and leadership development, Lisa is known for her professionalism, collaboration, and drive to improve outcomes for all.

The Assessment Network sits at the heart of our Trust-wide approach to ensuring that every child’s progress is recognised, celebrated, and supported through accurate, meaningful assessment. Led by experienced senior leaders, this network brings together colleagues from across our schools to work collaboratively on getting assessment right—for pupils, for teachers, and for outcomes.

At its core, the network exists to ensure that all schools within the Trust are meeting key statutory requirements with confidence and clarity. From end-of-key-stage assessments to teacher frameworks and reporting procedures, the group keeps everyone up-to-date, aligned, and well-prepared.

But it goes far beyond compliance.

This is a space where professional dialogue thrives—where teachers and leaders share what works, unpick challenges, and reflect on the role of assessment in driving high-quality teaching and learning. A key strand of the network’s work is to build confidence and consistency in teacher judgements, ensuring that assessments are not only accurate, but also fair, informed, and rooted in deep understanding.

Central to this is our commitment to Trust-wide moderation. Regular opportunities for teachers to come together, review pupil work, and discuss judgements help ensure reliability and equity across all settings. These sessions are not just about checking boxes—they’re rich, developmental experiences that promote shared standards, encourage reflective practice, and support continuous professional growth.

By investing in the upskilling of all teaching staff, the network helps to embed a culture where assessment is seen as a powerful tool—not a task. Whether it’s fine-tuning formative strategies or preparing for summative benchmarks, our collective goal is clear: to ensure assessment enhances learning, supports progress, and provides meaningful insight for every learner.

In short, the Assessment Network is more than a working group—it’s a professional learning community, driven by collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Key Personnel

Rachael Whitton – KS1 Assessment Lead (Deputy Head – Lee Mount Academy)

Rachael is a values-driven Deputy Headteacher with over sixteen years in education, including six in senior leadership. Passionate about equity, she has transformed outcomes in disadvantaged communities. As a trust-wide KS1 Lead Moderator and Reading Improvement Lead, she drives assessment consistency and reading fluency through evidence-based practice and impactful CPD. Rachael also shaped the trust’s RISE curriculum, blending academic rigour with inclusivity. Holding the NPQSL and Senior Mental Health Lead accreditation, she leads with strategic clarity and emotional intelligence. Her leadership reflects the Impact Trust’s vision – “Where Hearts and Minds Connect”-championing every child’s potential through compassion, inclusion, and ambition.

Steve Sladdin – KS2 Assessment Lead (Deputy Head – Warley Road Academy)

Steve Sladdin is a dedicated Deputy Headteacher with over 15 years of experience across primary and tertiary education. Holding a First Class BA (Hons), a PGCE, and the NPQH, his leadership is rooted in a strong belief in education as a catalyst for social justice. Steve’s career began with the UK government’s DFID in Soweto, South Africa, working with marginalised communities, which deepened his commitment to improving life chances for all children.

At Warley Road Primary Academy, Steve has raised academic standards, shaped strategic direction, and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. As Trust Assessment and Reporting Lead and KS2 writing moderator for Calderdale, he ensures high-quality, evidence-based assessment practices. A Specialist Leader of Education for science, he has also supported school improvement across Calderdale.

With a focus on leadership, coaching, and staff development, Steve leads with integrity, aiming to ensure every child succeeds academically and personally.

A passionate team of SENDCos and inclusion leaders working together to champion inclusive education and ensure every learner has the support they need to succeed.

Focused on removing barriers to attendance, this group shares strategies and solutions to help all pupils feel connected and supported in their school journey.

Bringing together Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to share best practice, updates, and training, this group ensures that pupil safety and wellbeing remain at the core of everything we do.