Our People

Louise joined THPT in 2023 as Chief Executive Officer. She is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the Trust and leads the executive team.

Louise has more than 20 years’ experience of teaching and leading complex schools. She is motivated by her belief that great schools create great futures. Every child and young person should receive the best opportunities, regardless of their background or starting point.

Prior to joining THPT, Louise was a senior leader at a large multi-academy trust. Having served as Executive Principal of an outstanding all-through academy in South London, she later took on a regional leadership and governance role across London & the South East.

Louise is also a longstanding member of the Department for Education’s Secondary Headteacher Reference Group. In this capacity, she helps support policy development, bringing her real-world experience to bear.

Nicola has served as Deputy CEO since 2016, following a long career with THPT schools. She is responsible for the Trust’s secondary schools

Nicola’s association with Howard began when she served as Head of Humanities at Howard of Effingham School. Following further leadership experiences in Kent, Nicola acted as Head of School at Thomas Knyvett College before becoming Headteacher of Oxted School. She also served as Executive Headteacher of Three Rivers Academy in 2017, while continuing her role as Deputy CEO.

Nicola is driven by a determination to maximise the life chances of all students. Her interest in the individual student, in combination with a passion to achieve consistently high-quality teaching and pastoral support, was vital in the sustained transformation of Thomas Knyvett College. It is this passion that continues to motivate Nicola in her role supporting schools across the Trust.

Robert is responsible for the crucial business functions that support the Trust and our schools. 

Robert has previously held senior positions in both the corporate and charity sectors, and has significant multi-academy trust experience, previously leading the growth of a shared services team on their journey from supporting three to 26 schools.

Robert’s professional focus is leading the provision of efficient and effective operations across the Trust.  This ensures that the organisational structure and allocation of Trust resources strengthens and supports our schools in their mission to deliver life-changing education.

Vanessa Wallden Head of special phase improvement inclusion

Vanessa leads SEND and inclusion across all phases of the Trust. She has over 20 years’ experience advocating for those who experience barriers to learning and helped establish Richmond’s first ABA/Autism centre. In 2018, Vanessa joined THPT as a head of school before becoming an executive principal. She speaks at conferences, co-produces inclusion peer review frameworks, and champions collaboration to secure equity and aspiration for children. Vanessa also has a master’s degree in education (MEd), specialising in language development in maths and autism.

Michael Lowes MA (SEN) BEd (Hons) NPQEL

Strategic lead for inclusive practice

Michael is our strategic lead for inclusive practice. He began his career in Newham, East London, where his passion for inclusion led him to a Master’s degree in Special Educational Needs, graduating with distinction. Michael has served in senior leadership roles including SENCO, deputy head and principal, where he has helped take schools from “requires improvement” to “outstanding”. He has supported schools and trusts as a Specialist Leader in Education. Michael’s work focuses on equity, relational practice and high-quality inclusion for every learner.

Helen began her career as an English teacher in Croydon and has since held senior leadership and head teacher roles in both mainstream and special schools.

A Teach First ambassador and active member of the Heads Forward network, Helen joined The Howard Partnership Trust in 2024 as Consultant Leader for Teaching and Learning, championing transformative classroom practice.

A frequent conference speaker, Helen has contributed to publications on English, SEND, and leadership, and is an active member of the Heads Forward network.

Jo is an experienced safeguarding professional with over 20 years’ expertise in child protection, student welfare, and inclusive education. She previously served as Assistant Principal at Rydens School (now Three Rivers Academy), where she contributed to the school’s ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement in 2019.

Jo develops Trust-wide safeguarding and wellbeing frameworks and provides supervision and training for safeguarding leads across 13 schools.  She also delivers specialist harmful sexual behaviour training.

Bethanie is our Lead Practitioner for SEND & Inclusion  bringing extensive experience from nursery to post-16 across mainstream and specialist settings.

She has worked as a class teacher, SENDCo, Director of Inclusion and Assistant Principal in both primary and special schools. Since joining the trust three years ago, she has led work on Ordinarily Available Provision, Communication Friendly Classrooms and staff development, including the Aspiring SENDCo Course, and in 2024 secured the trust’s first IFIP Global Inclusion Award.

Tony leads the Trust’s work to raise standards in secondary science and mathematics. His career history includes leadership roles as Assistant Headteacher in Surrey and Deputy Headteacher in Kingston, where he developed a strong record of raising standards.

Tony is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes and aspirations for all young people. His focus is on working on the most impactful priorities and strategies that guide and support our secondary schools across the Trust.

Hannah Morris
Trust lead – English (primary phase)

Hannah joined the Trust in September 2025 and supports primary schools across reading, phonics and writing. She brings 20 years’ experience across primary settings as both a teacher and senior leader. Hannah has served as a KS2 moderator for Surrey for the past four years. She began her career as a music specialist before moving into senior leadership. An avid reader, Hannah is passionate about developing a love of literacy and uses data thoughtfully to target support and drive progress for all learners.

Katie supports our primary schools to design and deliver high-quality, inclusive curriculum that help every child succeed. She joined the Trust in 2013 and brings nearly 25 years’ experience in education, including over a decade in senior leadership. A Cohort 1 NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) maths mastery specialist, Katie has worked with the NEHS (North East Hampshire and Surrey Maths Hub) for over ten years. She is accredited as a professional and school development lead, facilitates national professional qualifications, and provides training.

Chris joined the team in 2016. He is a Chartered Accountant and responsible for leading our Finance team.

Prior to joining THPT Chris worked in audit before moving on to senior corporate positions in industries such as insurance and pharmaceuticals.

Chris is motivated by a desire to lead a best-in-class Finance team to provide expertise, support and challenge to everyone in THPT in their mission to deliver a life-changing education.