Meet our Facilitators
We are very proud to have a pool of highly experienced facilitators. This ensures our programmes are delivered by experts, who can support you to understand the materials and evidence from your chosen programme in context.
Rachel Ayres
Independent Consultant; Facilitator - NPQ Leading Literacy
An experienced speaker and co-ordinator of professional development, Rachel has been part of the team working on secondary Reading for Pleasure (RfP) at the Open University since 2023. She mentors and teaches on the Reading Schools Programme at secondary and primary level, mentors on the Strengthening and Sustaining Programme and has contributed to the OU/UKLA Secondary Quality Mark for RfP. She is particularly interested in the connection between volitional reading and social, emotional and mental health, as well as the building of reading cultures in secondary contexts.
Rachel has over 20 years’ experience as Head of English, Sixth Form, Assistant Head (teaching and Learning) and Deputy Head (Academic) in a range of state and independent settings. In addition to this, she has been county advisor for English and Literacy in Buckinghamshire, and a team leader for English Literature GCSE for WJEC.
Alongside her current role as Head of English at Minerva Virtual Academy, Rachel is a facilitator for NPQ Leading Literacy and the Early Career Training Programme for Saffron Teaching School Hub and works for the Wensum English Hub as a Secondary Literacy Auditor.
Dida Burrell
Headteacher, White Court School; Facilitator - NPQ Headship
Dida is the Headteacher of a large three-form entry primary school in Essex, with over 20 years’ experience in education. Having taught across every phase from Early Years through to Post-16, she brings a deep and comprehensive understanding of teaching, learning and school leadership.
Originally a mechanical engineer at a nuclear power station, Dida made a career change into teaching, bringing with her a strong passion for STEM education and a commitment to broadening opportunities for all pupils. This unique background continues to shape her approach to leadership, with a focus on innovation, problem-solving and real-world application.
Dida is particularly passionate about inclusive practice, championing diversity and actively challenging stereotypes to ensure that every child feels seen, valued and able to succeed. Her leadership is driven by a belief that no child should be left behind, alongside a commitment to supporting staff to work effectively and sustainably.
Currently completing the NPQ in Executive Leadership (NPQEL) and a Master’s in Leadership, Dida is dedicated to continual professional growth and to supporting the development of others. Through her work as a facilitator, she aims to empower leaders at all levels to create inclusive, high-quality educational environments where both pupils and staff can thrive.
Emma Carvalho
Deputy Headteacher & SENCO, Beckers Green Primary School; Facilitator - NPQ SENCO
Emma started her career in sales and marketing for magazine publishers in London. Following ten years in a variety of roles and the birth of her own children, Emma gained QTS through Essex ITT and began her change of career as a primary school teacher. Emma taught across KS1 and KS2 before completing the NASENCO in 2021. She subsequently secured a role as Deputy Headteacher and SENCO at Beckers Green Primary School, where she has been driving her passion for quality provision for all pupils, including those with additional needs.
Emma is thrilled to be facilitating the mandatory NPQ SENCO for Saffron Teaching School Hub. This qualification will ensure that current and aspiring SENCOs will understand what drives and underpins successful leadership for SEND provision in their settings. With increasing demand on mainstream settings to meet a variety of additional needs, Emma feels that this role is more important than it has ever been.
Caroline Crompton
Headteacher, Thaxted Primary School; Facilitator - NPQ Headship
Caroline is the Headteacher at Thaxted Primary School and brings 28 years of extensive teaching experience to the role, with a significant portion spent in the diverse and dynamic educational landscape of Inner London. Over the past 25 years, her career has encompassed various positions within the boroughs of Westminster and Newham, where she has honed her leadership skills and developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in urban schooling environments.
Having worked in schools with differing entry sizes, including four-form, three-form, and currently a one-and-a-half form entry setting, she possesses a comprehensive perspective on curricular implementation and management structures that best serve students. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive educational atmosphere is further reflected in extensive experience with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) resource provision.
A strong advocate for continuous professional development, Caroline is actively engaged in the NPQH process, promoting effective leadership within the school and the wider educational community. Her commitment to fostering a collaborative learning environment is evident through their dedication to nurturing teachers’ skills and supporting staff progression.
Julie Gariazzo
Independent Consultant; Facilitator - NPQ Leading Teacher Development
Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Julie led the ITT and Education provision at two London universities, and an Essex SCITT. An experienced SEND teacher and SENCO, Julie designed and delivered on Master’s degrees in SEND, Inclusion, behaviour and autism, as well as designing the SEND pathway for Primary ITT. Bringing her wealth of experience in higher education, and in schools across East London, Julie is passionate about teacher development.
In addition to her role as an NPQ and Early Career Training Programme facilitator for Saffron Teaching School Hub, Julie currently works for several teacher training providers, supporting teacher development.
Joshua Goodacre
Head of Virtual, Hatfield Wick Education; Facilitator - NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture
Joshua is responsible for overseeing virtual education at Hatfield Wick Education, having previously led staff development, student progress and online curriculum as part of the Senior Leadership Teams at two secondary schools in Essex. He is also a Governor at Mid Essex Co-operative Academy alternative provision school.
Prior to his career in education, Joshua worked in the finance division of a pharmaceutical multinational based in Germany and for a small UK marketing agency.
Joshua is a proponent of ‘lifelong learning’, a passion he is keen to share with students and educators alike, and a champion of the CARES 360 approach, an ethos where educators create an environment where every student feels valued, understood and empowered. He has been involved with ITT and ECT training over a number of years, working with several local training organisations. Joshua was an early adopter of online education, being one of the first academics to research its use when he investigated the subject for his MTEACH dissertation. He still maintains an educational website to this day.
Following the successful completion of an NPQH through Saffron Teaching School Hub, Joshua was delighted to continue his involvement as a facilitator on the NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture and hopes to create the same rich development opportunities for new programme members that he experienced.
Jessica Grillo
Independent Consultant; Facilitator - NPQ SENCO
Jessica Grillo is an experienced education leader with over 20 years’ experience across teaching, school leadership and national teacher development. She has held senior roles in both school and system contexts, including leading national delivery of a Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship programme supporting trainees across primary, secondary and SEND settings.
Jessica currently works as a consultant and facilitator, partnering with schools, trusts and delivery partners to support high-quality teacher development. She is a facilitator for the Early Career Training Programme and National Professional Qualifications, including the NPQ SENCO, and brings particular expertise in inclusion, curriculum design and evidence-informed practice. Jessica is passionate about working collaboratively with colleagues across the region to develop confident, reflective practitioners and ensure every pupil benefits from an inclusive, high-quality education.
Nicola Morgan-Soane
School Effectiveness Partner, Essex LA; Facilitator - NPQ Leading Primary Maths
Nicola has worked as a School Effectiveness Partner for Essex Local Authority since January 2022. She was the headteacher of a large primary with an enhanced provision for 6 years, leading the school on a journey of development, through two good inspections. She has also been Executive Head of a school in special measures, moving this school to Good.
Nicola has 23 years' experience working in primary schools with 13 years in school leadership in schools in East London and Essex. As a headteacher, Nicola was vice chair of the Essex Primary Headteachers Association for Mid Essex and worked as a member of the leadership group for her school partnership.
Since working for the Local Authority, Nicola has enjoyed working with primary and special schools on school development. She loves working with school leaders at all levels and takes a coaching approach to school effectiveness work. In addition to her Local Authority role, Nicola works as an intensive support partner for the Venn Essex Maths Hub. She has a passion for maths, music, inclusion and diversity awareness and has led on a variety of school reviews.
Duncan Roberts
Independent Consultant; Facilitator - NPQ Headship
Duncan is proud to be a facilitator for Saffron Teaching School Hub with the aim of inspiring the next generation of school leaders and supporting them in tackling the exciting challenges which lie ahead in their leadership career. Duncan's career in education has spanned over 18 years across inner-city and rural settings.
Most recently, Duncan was Principal of a secondary school in Essex for seven years. During that time, Duncan led the school to its best ever outcomes, consistently achieving attainment scores well above the national average, secured three 'Good' Ofsted inspections, rejuvenated the facilities through selling a small piece of school land in order to build a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports pitch and tennis courts, expanded the curriculum by creating new subjects such as dance, economics and media studies and successfully navigated the school through the perils of the global pandemic never losing sight of the key purpose; to provide the best educational offer for the young people that the school serves.
Duncan also has experience of range of leadership responsibilities including, teaching, learning and assessment, pupil outcomes and safeguarding. Duncan has also been a Head of English and Advanced Skills Teacher of English. Having completed an NPQEL, Duncan has now enrolled on the ILM Level 7 coaching certificate with the British School of Coaching. Duncan facilitates on the Early Career Training Programme and NPQ Headship for Saffron Teaching School Hub. He is a Specialist Leader in Education and provides bespoke coaching for a range of education leaders and training for a range of organisations.
Rebecca Tarplett
Independent Consultant; Facilitator - NPQ Senior Leadership & NPQ Early Years Leadership
Rebecca is an established educational practitioner and consultant with nearly two decades of experience working with schools across the East of England and London, as well as abroad through various TEFL teaching projects in Africa and Asia.
Rebecca works in school improvement and collaborates with a number of Teaching School Hubs in the Eastern Region. She is an ECTP Primary Lead and an ITT facilitator and delivers NPQ training. She works with an Appropriate Body to support schools and induction processes and as a pathway tutor for an ITT provider. Alongside this, Rebecca continues to teach in Primary Education.
Her work in school improvement and as an SLE has enabled her to support colleagues through the delivery of face to face and online CPD for Early Years, primary and secondary practitioners, carers and parents. Rebecca is an experienced and current practitioner who has worked as both a designated safeguarding lead and as an Early Years designated safeguarding lead.
Rebecca recognises that high quality early education is the pinnacle of fostering a lifelong love of learning; she is an enthusiastic and approachable person who works creatively with others to ensure that both adults and children feel supported, upskilled and nurtured.
Emma Vincent
Headteacher, R A Butler Academy; Facilitator - NPQ Headship
Emma is delighted to be able to use her experience as a headteacher to support new and upcoming leaders into the wonderful and privileged world of headship. She values the opportunities that the NPQH offers colleagues to engage with current topics and thought-provoking scenarios to develop the multi-faceted skills needed for headship.
Emma is a primary headteacher at the three form entry R A Butler Academy in Saffron Walden, Essex. Prior to this, Emma was headteacher at two smaller schools in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. These very different headships in very varied catchment areas have enabled Emma to develop a wide range of leadership skills and experiences, including dealing with extensive school growth, redundancy, moving an RI school to Good, leading a Church school and leading with vision and values at the heart of school development. Emma is also Deputy CEO of the Saffron Academy Trust.