Meet the team

I am an education leader, and previous headteacher, with 25 years of senior leadership experience in both public and private sectors.

I knew that I wanted to join the Trust when I saw the Trust vision of life in all its fullness because I believe in an holistic approach to education for all pupils, regardless of their starting points.

It is an absolute privilege to go into our schools and see our pupils experiencing a great education, delivered by our fantastic colleagues.

Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dog and reading.

Attendance at Board Meetings 2026/27

In Attendance: 0/0

Attendance at Board Meetings 2025/26

In Attendance: 4/4

I am a strategic and operational specialist with experience within both private and public sector. During the 20 years held at a senior level within organisations, I have ensured we maximise efficiencies to enable target funding in priority areas, met industry standards in respect of compliance and structured organisations to maximise service delivery.

Heartwood Learning Trust is an organisation with a strong moral purpose and clear values. Based on the strong values of respect, teamwork and kindness, Heartwood strategically develop schools to ensure pupils have a positive educational experience.

Working Trust-wide gives me the opportunity to work closely with our schools and make a positive impact on our pupils and the local communities.

Relaxing with my family, dogs and friends is my happy place!

Attendance at Board Meetings 2026/27

In Attendance: 0/0

Attendance at Board Meetings 2025/26

In Attendance: 3/4

I come to my role with significant leadership experience of over 25 years, including 10 years of Headship and Executive Headship. My particular focus is strategic leadership relative to inclusion; namely SEND, Behaviour, Attendance and Alternative provision.

The Heartwood Learning Trust Executive Team are highly committed to ensuring the best outcomes and educational experiences for their students. That is a vision and mission which echoes my own beliefs and sentiments. I am privileged to contribute to the leadership and delivery of those aims.

I have a passion for inclusion and am fully committed to ensuring that all students are seen as individuals and have access to equity and consideration. Enabling students to have access to resources that will allow them to thrive is hugely rewarding.

Outside of work I enjoy photography, exposure to new cultures, film and literature.

I have been teaching for 20 years. I have held senior leadership positions for over 11 years, including roles as a Headteacher and a Trust Associate Principal. In addition to this, I am a lead judge for the National Teaching Awards.

I joined this Trust as I wanted to be part of a team that makes a difference in an ethical way, ensuring the best possible chances for young people and giving them the best start in life. Heartwood Learning Trust takes on challenge and does not stop wanting to improve for colleagues and young people.

The most exciting aspects of the role are working collaboratively and ensuring growth of individuals occurs so that young people's experience improves. Being part of unlocking great talent in the Trust is enjoyable and exciting as well as working on shaping culture in the Trust, especially in relation to diversity.

I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and close friends. I also enjoy cooking, even though I would not win any competitions!

Date of Appointment: 09/06/2026
Chair Appointment: 27/09/2023
Term of Office: 08/06/2030
Committees: Standards, Distinctiveness, Audit & Risk and Personal Development. Jane is also the Trust Board’s Safeguarding Representative.
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 6/6

Bio: 
Jane Lewis has been a Governor/Director for over 20 years in a variety of schools and organisations.  She is passionate about improving education. She has served the Department for Education as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) for almost a decade, working with dozens of schools and academies across the North & Midlands. She was previously a MAT Board Director at Sentamu Academy Learning Trust (SALT). She is a Director of Together People Ltd which specialises in undertaking External Reviews and advising on Governance, Leadership and Organisational Development.

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
Together People (Director) - Started 2004 Mark Lewis (Spouse) is also Director

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
Interim Governor - Liberty Academy

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
None

Date of Appointment: 23/09/2025
Term of Office: 22/09/2029 (4 years)
Committees: Standards, Resources
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 5/6

Bio:
I'm a civil servant specialising in international trade with a background in law, policy and diplomacy.

HLT's mission to provide a nurturing environment where children and young people from all backgrounds can thrive really resonates with me.  My aim is to support the HLT leadership team to maximise opportunities for pupils, staff and school communities, whilst upholding the Trust's values of kindness, respect and teamwork.

I look forward to collaborating with others and offering constructive challenge to strengthen decision-making.

I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing hockey and camping.

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
None declared

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
None declared

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
None declared

Date of Appointment: 24/01/2024
Term of Office: 23/01/2028 (4 years)
Committees: Resources, Audit & Risk (Chair)
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 5/6

Bio: 
Patrick Looker is a qualified Public Finance Accountant and has worked in Local Government for over 30 years. He understands the pressures on public service finance and the need to get best value from all income into the Trust. He studied Economics and Business Studies at Sheffield University. Patrick has been a Governor since 2013 and Chair of Governors at one of the Trust Schools for 5 years.

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
York City Council - Started Oct 2003

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
None

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
None

Date of Appointment: 23/09/2025
Term of Office: 22/09/2029 (4 years)
Committees: Standards, Distinctiveness & Personal Development
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 5/6

Bio: 
I've a diverse background in PR, comms and marketing, specialising in helping businesses and organisations form meaningful, impactful connections with stakeholders.

I passionately believe that all children deserve an education that develops and nurtures their innate talents and abilities, regardless of their financial circumstances or family background - this aligns perfectly with HLT's values. 

It's amazing working with such a diverse group of people to achieve a common goal. It's also been a brilliant learning journey! 

Outside of work, I enjoy having lots of family fun or escaping to the garden!

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
None

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
None

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
None

Date of Appointment: 05/05/2025
Term of Office: 04/05/2029 (4 years)
Committees: Audit & Risk and Standards (Chair). Karen is also the Trust Board’s Quality of Education, Pupil Premium and SEND Representative.
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 5/6

Bio: 
Karen Osborne has spent her 40 year career in the Insurance industry. Having started her career as a Commercial Underwriter she progressed to management within a short period of time going on to hold senior management and director roles responsible for operational efficiency, optimising client journey, compliance, HR and finance in both Insurance Company and Broker sectors. Karen is now retired.

Throughout her career Karen’s passion has been providing a developmental environment that allows employees to achieve their full potential and her proudest achievements have been seeing those that she has mentored managed and supported over the years thrive in their careers.

Karen’s interest in utilising her business skills to support schools as a Trustee was sparked having provided internship placements for sixth formers from the David Young Academy.

Karen joined the Trust Board in the summer of 2017. 

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
None

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
None

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
None

Date of Appointment: 01/04/2023
Term of Office: 31/03/2027 (4 years)
Committees: Resources (Chair). Andrew is also the Trust Board’s Whistleblowing and Health & Safety Representative. 
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 5/6

Bio: 
Andrew Simpkin is Head of Project Delivery for the Portakabin Group Sales business. Andrew gained his B.Sc honours degree in Building (Production Management) from Nottingham Trent University. He is a Chartered Construction Manager and Fellow of the CIOB and has been employed by Portakabin Group since 1988, operating at strategic level as a member of the group’s leadership team and the divisional business unit’s senior management team.

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
Portakabin Group (Construction Industry) Head of Product Delivery - Started Aug 1988

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
Wife employed at Poppleton Ousebank Primary School

Date of Appointment: 25/07/2025
Term of Office: 24/07/2029 (4 years)
Committees: Distinctiveness and Personal Development (Chair), Standards
Meetings 2026/27: 0/0
Meetings 2025/26: 5/6

Bio: 
I'm a recently retired Church of England Vicar with over 30 years of experience and a qualified Secondary School teacher, having taught Physics and Electronics.

I grew up in Scarborough and was a student at Graham School, and my daughters went to Newland St John in Hull, both now part of HLT. I joined the trust because I wanted to give something back.

I enjoy being able to use the skills and experience I have to support schools to be the best that they can be.

Outside of this role, I support Church of England Churches in the Scarborough Deanery, and I keep up to date with technology. I also try to keep fit and do 8000 steps a day, and run 3 times a week.

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation:
Hay Lane Apartments (Company Secretary) - As a priest in the Church of England, Stephen has Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of York and is based at St Laurence Scalby in the Scarborough Deanery.

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
None

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
None

Date of appointment: TBC

Nature of any business interests including details of the company or organisation
TBC

Details of governor membership at another school or academy
TBC

Relationship with a member of Heartwood Learning Trust staff
TBC