LEARN Central Team (ID 1098)

• ELLIOT COSTAS-WALKER
  Director of Learning and Partnerships
  ELLIOT COSTAS-WALKER

  Elliot Costas-Walker is the Director of Learning and Partnerships with Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust. He joined the Trust in 2018, when the Trust had 3 schools and has seen the growth in the Trust over the 5 years to 13 schools. Elliot previously worked in a Yorkshire based Multi Academy Trust for 2 years as a Teaching and Learning Lead. Elliot’s responsibilities are for School Improvement, Learning & Teaching, Professional Development and Partnerships. He has a proven-track record of supporting schools in various contexts, including special measures and outstanding schools. His passion is driving School Improvement work alongside quality first pedagogy within the classroom. Elliot prides himself on being an evidence-informed leader and works as an Evidence Lead in Education (ELE) - he enjoys mobilising the research from the EEF. Elliot is passionate about expertise through high quality professional development and leads the Trusts work with Ambition Institute. Mobilising Initial Teacher Training the Early Career Framework and suite of National Professional Qualifications across Greater Manchester. He is a Visiting Fellow with Ambition Institute and facilitates on a range of programmes. Elliot leads a Challenge Partners Hub, ‘Aspire Hub’ across the North West and sits on Challenge Partners, Education Advisory Group.

• SAM MITCHELL
  Initial Teacher Training Lead
  SAM MITCHELL

• PAUL COWBURN
  Early Career Framework Lead
  PAUL COWBURN

  Paul joined the Trust in 2019 as Assistant Principal and has since worked in many of our schools in his role as Learning and Teaching Lead. He began working at St. John with St. Michael in 2023 as Head of School and was appointed Acting Headteacher in September 2024. Alongside his senior leadership roles, Paul is Early Career Teacher lead for Forward as One C of E MAT and has been a Visiting Fellow with Ambition Institute since the Early Roll Out. He regularly facilitates conferences and clinics for ECTs and their mentors. Paul is passionate about teaching and learning ensuring both pupils and staff have the highest quality of education and support to enable all to flourish and teach their true potential.

• SAM RUSH
  NPQ Lead
  SAM RUSH

  Sam started working as NPQ lead in April 2022. She is responsible for overseeing the NPQs that we are deliver as a trust in partnership with Ambition. Sam has previously been a teacher in different aspects initially at St Paul's and then various schools within Forward as One, for 20 years. She is thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and working in education from a different angle.

• IAN HAYDOCK
  Programme Operations Co-ordinator
  IAN HAYDOCK

  Ian joined Forward As One in 2021, taking up a new role as Programme Operations Coordinator overseeing the delivery of the Early Career Teacher Framework and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) that the Trust deliver in Partnership with Ambition Institute. Ian has extensive Operational and Team Management experience in both Private and Public Sectors. His roles have encompassed the Financial Services, Property, Regulatory, Service, Sales and care industries. Ian has built and led numerous successful teams within competitive customer focussed organisations and is relishing the prospect of a new challenge within Education as part of a forward thinking and innovative Multi Academy Trust.

• HANNAH RIDSDALE
  Programmes Administrator
  HANNAH RIDSDALE

  Hannah joined Forward As One in September 2023, occupying the new role of Programmes Administrator for the Learn with Forward As One team. Hannah assists with all matters concerning the delivery of the Early Career Teaching Framework and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) that the Trust deliver in partnership with Ambition Institute, as well as assisting in the development of the new Initial Teacher Training Programme Forward As One is facilitating in September 2024. She is excited to take on the unique challenges of this role and approach education from a different angle!