IRIS Learning Trust Board of Trustees

The Board is composed of  8 Trustees from September 2024 in the IRIS Learning Trust.

The Trustees are appointment by the members. The CEO is currently a  Trustee , however, some internal changes from September mean the CEO will no longer be on the Board . There are no other employed representatives within the Trustees, and the Trustees will not exceed the 33% ‘employed within the Trust’ limitation at any time. There will also be no more than 19.9% of the Trustees associated with a Local Authority.

Debra Walker

(CEO)

Debra’s first headship was in 1998 at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington. During this time, she achieved a successful Ofsted outcome with a reputation for high standards and an inclusive culture. She led one of the founding schools of the High Force SCITT. Debra moved into Darlington local authority in 2004 becoming an adviser to Primary Schools in the Borough.

Debra then moved on to Redcar and Cleveland local authority in 2006 as a Senior Adviser and promoted to Principal Adviser in 2008. During this time, she trained as an Ofsted Inspector and completed a number of Inspections acting as an additional Inspector.

Debra returned to headship, joining Valley Road Community Primary in 2012 leading the school through a difficult time to achieve improving standards across all key stages receiving recognition from Nick Gibb in 2015 and a Pupil Premium award in the previous year. Debra led on the development of a data service, which supports school performance data across more than 100 schools in the region.  Prior to conversion  she supported two other primary schools in an Executive Head role , following a request for support from the Local Authority to support.

She is passionate about all aspects of Primary education and is known for her common - sense practical approach to leading and managing successful organisations

Darren Andrews

(Chair of Trustees)

Darren specialises within the working environment in instrumentation and control from design stage through to installation and commissioning. He is used to working within tight budgets and limited time frames.

Darren is enthusiastic and passionate and strives to ensure that the ethos and aspirations of Valley Road Academy are carried through to the IRIS Learning Trust  and into the future. Darren will endeavour to utilise the experiences, skills and qualities gained during his12 years on the governing body at Valley Road to provide challenge and support to the Heads in raising standards across the Trust and  keeping pupils safe and engaged. Darren champions high achievement for all pupils and is able to monitor school performance with priority and integrity whilst seeking to optimise value for money across the trust.  Darren has good analytical skills and good communication skills. Darren also has drive and energy and able to take tough and decisive actions where needed for the benefit of the trust. 

David Walker MBE

(Trustee)

David Walker has over 45 years of experience in the education sector and this includes extensive headship experience, a range of senior management roles in local government, a national advisory role for the DfE and consultancy and leadership roles in the private sector. He has also worked with the Ministry of Defence in support of the movement of pupils as part of drawdown from abroad. .He has Qualified Teacher Status and is a graduate of the University of Warwick. David retired in 2021 from his role as governance Lead for the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust. but, since September 2023, he has taken on the interim role of Director of Governance for the Bath and Wells Diocesan Academies Trust. David is also Chair of Trustees at Horizons Specialist Academy Trust and Chair of Trustees at Barnes Academy Trust. 

Anthony Conlin

(Trustee) 

Anthony is currently Director of The School data Company .

He is a governor at Governor at Bankfields Primary, Caedmon Primary & St Patrick’s RC Primary.

He qualified with a BA ( Hons) in Business Information Systems , Advanced skills in programming, excel and other software systems. He specialises in Data Analysis Programming System Creation.

Simon Hodgson

(Trustee)

· Started teaching in 1985

· Retired from teaching after 34 years.

· Worked at St Aidans Catholic Academy for 30 years until retirement in 2019.

· Held Head of Year and Head of Department posts during career.

· Taught Economics, Politics and Business Studies subjects at A Level to Years 12 and 13.

· BA Hons in Economics in 1983

· PGCE in Business Studies in 1984

Elizabeth Horne

(Trustee)

Bio to follow shortly

Kevin Smith 

(Trustee)

Bio to follow shortly

.Sam Wright

(Trustee)

Bio to follow shortly

Kenny Hiles

(Trustee)

Bio to follow shortly