Our Senior Leadership Team

Paul Walker has been the CEO of the Trust since his appointment in January 2018. Paul has been the headteacher of several schools in Devon, many in challenging circumstances.  Previously he was the CEO of the small Genesis Trust, which merged with the First Federation in September 2017. Paul is a Local Leader of Education and has recently qualified as a Lead Inspector for Ofsted.  He has also served on the Devon Association of Primary Headteachers for many years; chairing the group for several years.

Carol has worked for the Trust since 2006 when it became the First Federation and has played a lead  role in setting the operational structures for the Business area.  Carol has worked in Education administration for over 20 years and has supported schools across Devon and nationally.  Carol is a Specialist Leader of Education for Business Administration.

Angela has worked for the First Federation Trust since 2004 and has taught across early years, key stage 1 and key stage 2, becoming Head and Teaching of Learning at Aveton Gifford in 2016. Angela is a designated Specialist Leader of Education and has completed the NPQH qualification. Angela has been involved with Primary Excellence Teaching School since it’s designation in 2013, and took on the role of Director of Teaching School in September 2016. Alongside this, in November 2018, Angela started working with the Central Hub schools as Executive Head of Teaching and Learning. Angela is passionate about School Improvement, developing Teachers and building leadership capacity in aspiring leaders.

Rachael has a Bachelor of Education (History) 2:1 Honours degree. Rachael was the Head of Teaching and Learning at Newton Ferrers C of E Primary School (2011-2017), First Federation Trust. From September 2019, Rachael will be the Director of School Improvement for the Trust having a strategic overview of school improvement and effecting consistent improvement as well as raising standards, challenging performance and supporting school effectiveness.

Sarah has over 22 years School Administration experience and has been a Trust Business Manager within the Trust since June 2017.  Sarah oversees the business management of several schools within the Trust and has completed a Certificate in School Business Management.

Janine joined The First Federation in 2011 as the Administrator for Lady Seaward’s Primary School and progressed to Finance Assistant at Blackpool Primary School in 2015, before becoming a Trust Business Manager for South Hams a year later. For the past 2 years Janine has been a Trust Business Manager covering several schools within the trust; managing the Admin Teams and working closely with the Heads of Teaching and Learning.

Cheryl is a Trust Business Manager, overseeing everything non-educational within several schools in the Trust. She has a Diploma in School Business Management and has 13 years business management experience ranging from a small village school to a large inner city school with 540 on roll.

Isabelle has been the governance professional for the First Federation since April 2009. As the First Federation grew and became a multi academy trust, Isabelle’s role has developed to include the role of company secretary and data protection officer for the Trust, as well as advising staff around policies and compliance.

Claire has a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) 2:1 Honours Degree and a PGCE in Primary Education (English specialism). She was a Deputy Head for a number of years in Bath and North East Somerset before becoming Head of School at Sidmouth Primary, First Federation Trust, in 2016. Claire is the Trust Strategic Lead for English and supports academies within the Trust to develop and implement their school improvement plans.