Directors
Mark Gore
Chair of Directors
A very warm welcome to the Inspire Education Trust on behalf of the Board of Directors.
The Board is a group of volunteers with a wide range of experience in business, education or a range of other fields which provides oversight of the running of the Trust and support to our schools and the team who work with them.
At Inspire Education Trust we set out to provide a first-class education for the children in our schools, one which allows our children and young people to flourish, grow and achieve. In common with schools across the country, we face significant challenges; but our schools benefit from being part of a close-knit, well run and supportive family of schools. That collaboration, together with the hard work of our teachers and support staff in schools and within the Trust has resulted in six of our schools being judged by Ofsted to be good, and the two schools which joined the Trust most recently making great progress. All the data we have suggests a strong educational performance across our schools, but we seek continually to improve, with high expectations for all the children and young people in our care.
We are a successful multi-academy trust demonstrated by the Ofsted judgements, the Department of Education quality indicators and high levels of parental satisfaction; with the confidence of the local authorities in which we work. In partnership with the local authorities, we are opening new specialist provision for children with special educational needs.
That success is founded on our values of always doing the very best for our pupils, and our focus on employing and developing great teachers, staff, teachers and leaders.
We look forward to building on that success. and will continue to work hard to ensure all our children continue to flourish, grow and achieve.
Kind regards
Mark Gore
Chair of Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Chair of Directors - Mark Gore
Joined the Education Department of Warwickshire County Council as Head of Education Planning. In 2006 he was appointed to lead on Schools and Education within the new Directorate of Children and Young People, a post he held until his retirement from the County Council in December 2012. Was for a short time Interim Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire. Was for a number of years a Governor and Chair of Governors of a non-maintained special school for the deaf, and is currently a Trustee of a Youth and Community Centre in Rugby
Inspire Director - Charlotte Marten
A graduate of the University of Birmingham, I also have a PGCE and an MA in Educational Leadership. I taught in secondary schools in England and Jersey, retiring in 2019 after thirteen years as Headteacher of Rugby High School. I have been a school governor for ten years and am currently the Chair of Governors at Blue Coat Church of England School and Music College in addition to serving on the boards of five charities. I strongly believe in the power of education to transform children’s lives. I am committed to ensuring that the children who attend our schools are enabled to flourish and grow into adults who are intent on making a positive contribution to society.
Inspire Director - Jane Durkin
Before retiring as Head of Operations of a Multi Academy Trust, Jane had worked for 30 years in education leading teams and developing strategic direction. Throughout her career Jane was heavily involved with the Institute of School Business Leaders (ISBL) volunteering her services at a national level. Working with a variety of ISBL’s partners as part of focus groups, round table discussions she was instrumental in developing and promoting the role of school business management including developing professional standards and in partnership with CIPD a professional HR qualification specific to education. Jane was also a Director of Trust in Birmingham and chaired the Finance Committee as well as serving on ISBL’s Events Committee and Editorial Committee. Jane has a passion for young people and education and strongly believes that all children deserve the best education and opportunities available to them.
Inspire Director - Nichola Aston
Nichola Aston has been involved in education for 28 years. The first 11 years of her career were spent in Warwickshire, where she gained experience as a subject lead in English, SENDCo, and Assistant Head. The last 17 years have been in Coventry, where she served as a Deputy Headteacher for 2 years and as Headteacher of a Junior School for 15 years. She has always prioritised active engagement with Coventry School’s Primary Partnership, which led to her role as Chair for 5 years. Nichola is now very much looking forward to being part of Inspire Education Trust, using her experience to work alongside school leaders in their drive to provide children with the best possible opportunities, leading to high-quality outcomes for all.
Inspire Director - Rev’d Canon Claire McArthur
Claire is a Vicar in the Church of England and an experienced school governor. She has served on governing bodies at Walsgrave, Pearl Hyde and currently supports Ravensdale and Stoke Primary, with chaplaincy at Pattison's. Before ordination, she held senior editorial and digital posts at the BBC for more than twenty-five years, including roles in English Regions New Media, editorial strategy for news and sport websites and leadership of national digital projects. She has also led communications and digital functions in the charity and higher education sectors, including the Motor Neurone Disease Association and De Montfort University. Her training includes the Ashridge Established Leadership course and teacher training. Claire has experience in strategic oversight, complaints panels, community relations and church school distinctiveness.
Inspire Director - Sybil Hanson (DDE)
Sybil Hanson achieved a Mathematics degree from Manchester University and went on to have a teaching career from 1961 and came to Coventry in 1972 where she spent 25 years at Blue Coat CE School, initially as Head of Mathematics and then appointed Deputy Head in 1977. Sybil retired from teaching in 1997 and became a Diocesan Board of Education member as well as being involved within school governance since 1997 in a variety of settings. Sybil represents the DBE on both Coventry and Warwickshire School Forums, and also Chairs Coventry Schools Forum. She also represents the DBE as a co-opted member on Coventry City Council’s Education & Children’s Services Scrutiny Board 2. Sybil is a member of the Cathedral Community and regularly worships there.
Inspire Director - Louise Lakin
Louise is Service Lead at Coventry Adult Education Service. Previous roles include Interim Head of Quality at Lambeth Adult Learning in 2023 and senior leadership at Birmingham Metropolitan College covering commercial, departmental and quality directorates across curriculum and operations. She co-chairs the Adult Community Learning Alliance in the West Midlands and represents the region with HOLEX on adult community education strategy. Her work has included establishing governance arrangements for adult education, leading curriculum deep dives and inspection readiness and strengthening safeguarding, data and performance systems. Ofsted feedback in February 2023 referenced clear accountability and alignment with council priorities. Louise has experience in finance, audit, risk, quality assurance, estates and HR. She is a Designated Safeguarding Lead and holds qualifications in education, assessment and project management.