The awesome people who keep this ship running
William Harwood
Chair
Bill is one of the founding members of the Primary First Trust and is the Chairman of our Board of Trustees. He has a background in effective governance and as a governor worked with the local authority and other stakeholders to establish a successful school partnership model to enable schools that were struggling to succeed.
Bill has professional qualifications in portfolio, programme and project management and a breadth of experience in managing large budgets, building high performing teams and developing strategic vision. He has expertise in leading business change at scale and is an Academy Ambassador. Bill is probably best known, however, for his passion to improve outcomes and life experiences for children.
Sandra Connington
Trustee
Sandra is an experienced human resources professional working at senior and board level positions within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She held an HR Director role within a large exam board and also brings a wider business perspective through working with many differing sizes and types of organisations dealing both with UK and International teams.
As a human resources consultant Sandra supports and advises small to medium sized businesses, schools and academy trusts in the south east of England. She has experience as a chair of governors and governor for two local authority primary schools in Thurrock. She was an IEB Board Member for a local school that was judged to be in urgent need of improvement and oversaw plans to raise standards and progress, Ofsted inspections and parent engagement resulting in the school now being graded as ‘good’.
Steve Rumbles
Trustee
Steve has spent almost 30 years of his career working in the financial services industry both for BlackRock and T. Rowe Price (2 large US investment management firms). He has also owned his own business for 3 years offering his pensions knowledge on a consultancy basis. Steve has held various directorships including BlackRock’s Life Company (over 10 years) which is responsible for managing £70+bn of client assets.
Andrew Spearman
Trustee
Andrew is a qualified solicitor and is a Partner and founder of a niche City law practice. He leads their Family & Private Client teams, but has been distinguished in the sector for his specialism in international surrogacy law and modern family structures. He is frequently in the High Court and Court of Appeal on cases and representing clients for their children.
Andrew has experience as a governor for two primary academies and was appointed by the Secretary of State of Education to be the Chair of an IEB for a school in difficult circumstances, overseeing public consultations, OFSTED inspections and rapid improvement drives to raise standards in primary children’s education and their accelerated progress.
Paul Stingmore
Trustee
Paul is a Management Consultant who works with the public and private sector to lead and embed change in large organisations. Paul started his career in Programme Management before moving into the people side of change. He has led significant organisational transformations and adopts a hands-on approach to helping organisations and their leadership teams make change stick. Paul has spent many years working with looked after young people as a respite foster carer.
Primary First
Central Team
Visit Central Team
Primary First
Associates
Visit Associates
People
We have very talented people who work at The Primary First Trust. We'd love to hear from you.
Explore More
Strategic Plan
The Primary First has a clear vision for its schools and an overall Strategic Plan that provides strong direction and intense focus.
Explore More
Governance
Our approach to governance is straightforward. Our Governors give us so much - invaluable experience, relatable professional expertise and time.
Explore More
About Us
Welcome to Primary First, a Trust that truly celebrates and nurtures the diversity and distinctiveness of its partner schools.
Explore More
Portfolio
We believe in the power of culture to drive performance. Get the culture right and the work tends to take care of itself.
Explore More
Portfolio
We believe in the power of culture to drive performance. Get the culture right and the work tends to take care of itself.
Explore More
School Development
At The Primary First Trust, we talk of School Development, rather than the more familiar School Improvement. Why? Because we believe that all schools can develop regardless of where they are on their own particular journey - even 'Outstanding' ones. We look at the whole school to develop the whole child. And this demands more than a narrow focus on academic outcomes - that's a given.
Explore More
Leadership
Our innovative approach to education leadership is rooted in a simple belief: We grow stronger by working together. We are a schools Group - and not just a group of schools.
Explore More
Why choose Primary First?
The Primary First Trust holds itself and its primary-based learning solutions to the highest of standards. We work directly with schools to implement our mutually supportive framework.
Explore More
Primary First Education
At Primary First, it's a non-negotiable that for a school to become truly successful in the community they serve, they must retain, enhance and develop their own unique character and ethos.
Explore More
Wellbeing
With the wellbeing and IT specialisms of our schools both nationally and internationally recognised, we are proud to offer a range of consultancy services to schools and trusts beyond Primary First.
Explore More
Performance
We have an excellent track record of developing and improving primary schools. Since joining us and becoming academies, all our schools have attained the ofsted rating of 'Good with Outstanding Features', or above.
Explore More
Education
At The Primary First, a school will be successful in the community they serve, they must retain, enhance, and develop their own unique character and ethos.
Explore More
How to Join Primary First
Joining a Multi-Academy Trust can seen a big step. Daunting even. It needn't be. Our role is to make the process simple, clear and transparent.
Explore More
Why Choose Us?
The Primary First Trust holds itself and it's primary-based learning solutions to the highest of standards.
Explore More
Headteachers
To be a Headteacher is to take on one of the most demanding leadership roles in the modern world today.
Explore More
Associates
The Primary First Trust identifies talented practitioners, known as Associates, to share best practice across the Trust.
Explore More
Teachers
Education is simply unrivalled as a force for good in the social, emotional, cultural and economic health of a nation.
Explore More
Connect With Us
If you have any questions, we'd be delighted to help. We look forward to hearing from you.
Explore More