Catalyst Academies Trust
Leadership Coaching and Specialist Support for Schools
Great leaders create great schools, and local insight makes the difference. At Catalyst Academies Trust, our Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs), Local Leaders of Education (LLEs), and Trust Education Leads combine first-hand leadership experience with deep knowledge of the Essex education landscape, working alongside schools to strengthen leadership capacity, inspire teams, and deliver measurable school improvement.
Our leadership coaching programmes are designed for current and aspiring leaders, from headteachers and deputies to subject leads, SENCOs, and those seeking SLE or LLE accreditation. Whether you need strategic guidance, SENCO support, or pathways to professional recognition, we provide tailored coaching that empowers you to lead with confidence and achieve lasting impact.
We work collaboratively with schools, MATs, and local authorities, offering flexible delivery through 1:1 sessions, group coaching, in-person visits, online mentoring and school-2-school support that facilitates direct collaboration between education settings. Our approach combines practical strategies with real-world experience to help leaders meet Ofsted expectations, improve staff retention, and raise outcomes for pupils.
Why leadership coaching matters
Because we understand the challenges and priorities of Essex schools, our coaching is grounded in local realities as well as national best practice. Strong leadership shapes culture, drives improvement, and ensures pupils receive the highest quality education. Our coaching is proven to:
- Building leadership confidence and decision-making skills.
- Developing strategies that raise standards and improve teaching quality.
- Strengthening team performance and staff morale.
- Providing targeted SENCO support for inclusion, compliance, and strategic SEND planning.
- Connecting leaders to professional networks for peer learning and collaboration.
Pathways to leadership recognition
We guide aspiring leaders through the process of how to become an SLE in education or gain LLE status. This includes tailored coaching, opportunities to demonstrate impact, and support with applications. Achieving SLE or LLE recognition provides professional credibility, expands your influence across the education community, and opens doors to new career opportunities.
You can also explore our Initial Teacher Training programmes, which develop leadership skills from the earliest stages of a teaching career, creating a strong pipeline of future leaders who understand both strategic priorities and classroom realities.
Specialist SENCO leadership support
Our Lead SENCO works across the Trust and with partner schools to provide hands-on leadership coaching for SEND. This includes whole-school SEND reviews, systems and process development, and training for SENCOs and teaching teams. We help schools create inclusive learning environments, track pupil progress rigorously, and ensure provision meets the highest standards.
Our leadership team in action
Our leadership team’s track record includes securing improved Ofsted ratings, raising pupil attainment, and delivering staff development programmes that transform practice. These proven results underpin our leadership coaching and ensure that every school we work with benefits from strategies that deliver measurable improvement.
- Leading successful Ofsted inspections and achieving improved grades.
- Growing schools in size and capacity while maintaining high outcomes.
- Delivering Pupil Premium reviews that transform provision in high-deprivation contexts.
- Establishing specialist SEND provisions that improve life chances for pupils with additional needs.
- Driving subject-specific improvement in English, Maths, Science, EYFS, and foundation subjects.
Each member of our team brings unique expertise, from subject leadership to strategic SEND planning, and applies it directly to the needs of your school. Whether you are developing middle leaders, building curriculum strength, or embedding inclusive practice, their knowledge becomes your advantage.
Ready to grow your leadership impact?
Whether you’re seeking leadership coaching in schools, SLE or LLE accreditation, or targeted SENCO support, we can help you strengthen your leadership skills and deliver lasting improvement.
Book your free initial consultation today to discuss how Catalyst Academies Trust can support your leadership journey.
Meet our Trust Education Leads
Our Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs), Local Leaders of Education (LLEs), and senior leaders bring first-hand experience of leading schools to improved outcomes, developing leadership teams, and delivering lasting impact.
Samantha Wakeling - Executive Headteacher, Quarry Hill Academy
Delivers coaching that drives leadership teams to challenge underperformance, raise teaching standards, and create sustainable improvement plans.
Samantha works with leaders across the Trust to develop aspirational approaches to teaching and learning, ensuring every child receives the very best education, regardless of background. She sets a culture where underperformance is challenged and every pupil is believed capable of making outstanding progress. As Executive Headteacher of Catalyst Academies Trust and Headteacher at Quarry Hill Academy, Samantha drives leadership development, ensuring staff have opportunities to grow into future system leaders. Her mantra, that staff and pupils can “be the best,” underpins a culture of ambition and achievement. Her coaching ensures that leadership teams consistently challenge underperformance, improve teaching quality, and create sustainable improvement plans.
Rhys Latham - Deputy Executive Headteacher, Dilkes Academy
Guides schools to refine curriculum design, embed inclusive practice, and strengthen provision for pupils with additional needs.
Rhys has been part of Catalyst since 2005, combining his role as Headteacher at Dilkes Academy with Deputy Executive Headteacher responsibilities. As Strategic Lead for our Teaching School and trainer for the National Science Learning Centre, he drives improvement in curriculum delivery across schools. He leads the Trust’s Personalised Learning Centre, supporting pupils with SEMH needs to develop resilience and self-regulation. Holding a Master’s in Education, Rhys uses action research to shape professional development and embraces outreach opportunities to share effective practice across the region.
Sam Oxley - Head of School, Benyon Primary
Provides pupil premium expertise to help leaders maximise funding impact and improve outcomes in challenging contexts.
Sam led Benyon Primary to a ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement in 2023 while overseeing its expansion from a one to two form primary. She believes all children can achieve and raises aspirations through targeted CPD and leadership development. As a Pupil Premium Reviewer, she has worked with SLTs to evaluate provision, create bespoke action plans, and improve practice, drawing on her experience leading a high-deprivation school with above-national outcomes. She has also embedded mental health and wellbeing initiatives that have positively impacted pupils, staff, and parents..
Sinéad Viner - Head of School, Aveley Primary
Equips staff at all levels with the leadership skills to improve classroom practice and deliver sustained improvement.
With over 25 years of experience, Sinéad has taught across all primary year groups, led multiple subjects, and served as SENCO. She improved Aveley Primary’s Ofsted grade from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ and achieved its best KS2 results in 2024. She also opened the Aveley Resource Centre, a specialist provision for 10 children with autism, and serves as a KS1 Moderator for the local authority. Sinéad is passionate about staff development, mentoring teachers, LSAs, trainees, and new leaders to strengthen teaching and leadership across the school.
Martin Curtis - Head of School, Somers Heath Primary
Delivers training that supports schools in integrating technology effectively and enhancing formative assessment processes.
Martin led Somers Heath Primary to a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in 2021 and heads the Trust’s Appropriate Body work in partnership with the local Teaching School Hub. He delivers CPD across schools with a focus on using technology to enhance teaching and learning. Martin also champions assessment for learning, helping staff adapt lessons to the needs of every pupil and ensuring learning is relevant and engaging.
Helen Rice - Lead SENCO, Quarry Hill Academy
Leads SEND strategy to ensure schools meet compliance requirements, improve provision, and raise achievement for pupils with additional needs.
Helen leads SEND strategy across the Trust, putting in place robust systems for a whole-school, outcomes-based approach to special educational needs. She conducts SEND reviews, advises SENCOs, and delivers training across all aspects of SEND provision. With experience as an Area SENCO for Thurrock Local Authority and as SENCO at Quarry Hill Academy, where Ofsted praised her rigorous pupil tracking and highly trained support staff, Helen ensures inclusive practice is embedded and impactful in every school she supports.