Alex is Senior Deputy Head Teacher at Bingley Grammar School. Her specific areas of interest are CPD, Teaching and Learning, Staff recruitment and retention. Her subject specialism is English and she currently teaches at KS4. She is the school’s ECT Induction Lead and works with Exceed Teaching School Hub in the capacity of Visiting Fellow on the ECT programme (specifically working with mentors), and Visiting Fellow on NPQ programmes (currently NPQLT and previously NPQSL). She also works with Exceed Teaching School as an Appropriate Body Associate. She is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and is currently a member of their council.

Charlotte brings over 18 years of educational experience, spanning leadership in Early Years to supporting students aged 3–16 in all-through academies. A passionate advocate for inclusive, child-centered practice, she was recognized with the Inspirational Professional award in 2024. As an experienced SENCo of over 8 years and Deputy Headteacher for SEN and Inclusion/DSL, she led her school to achieve the gold standard Mental Health Award. Charlotte collaborates with external agencies, presents at district-wide conferences, and supports schools both within and beyond the Exceed Trust. She is the Exceed Expert Colleague for Safeguarding and contributes to professional development through delivering the NPQSENCo and mentoring Early Career Teachers

Sam Pocock graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education, leading to QTS with placements at Roundhay, Royds, Carr Manor and Ermysted's Grammar School.

In 2010 Sam began his teaching career as a Newly Qualified Teacher at Leeds West Academy. Roles with responsibility included School Sports Coordinator for primary schools, Deputy head of Sixth Form, Director of Induction and Training, Trust-wide Assistant Principal (Training and Development), Vice Principal for the Quality of Education and now Senior Vice Principal. He also secured a Masters in Education and Professional Enquiry in 2017.

Sam has lectured at the University of Leeds and currently teaches GCSE PE at Leeds West Academy.

Emily is an experienced educator from a primary background, specifically EYFS. She has taken on leadership roles such as DSL, EYFS leader and Assistant Head. She has designed and delivered a wealth of evidenced-based training sessions for EXCEED SCITT and is a Visiting Fellow for the NPQEYL and NPQLTD. Currently, she is the Head of Primary ITT for EXCEED SCITT, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the primary programme.

Emma is an experienced Senior Leader and Teacher Educator, from a Primary background and has taken on various leadership roles, ranging from Assistant Headteacher, to Head of Professional Learning for Exceed MAT and is currently Director of Exceed Teaching School Hub. Emma has designed and delivered a wealth of evidenced-based teacher development programmes for teachers at various stages of their career and is a Visiting Fellow for the Early Career Teacher Programme and NPQLTD.

Matt is an experienced educator from a secondary background and currently works as a Senior Vice Principal in Inner City Leeds. With a background in PE teaching and Sports Partnership Development, he has taken on numerous roles from Faculty Leader of PE and Dance to Senior Leadership roles in a range of settings that have overseen Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. Matt has also worked closely with a range of national agencies, including QCA, in the development of the PE national curriculum. This work also underpinned his nationally acclaimed development work with The Sports College network and Youth Sports Trust in harnessing ‘Pathway’ curricula and utilising PE as a vehicle to raise attainment in English and Maths. Matt has also presented his innovative approaches to whole school leadership development on behalf of the Teacher Development Trust, The SSAT and is currently working closely with the Education Endowment Foundation piloting their Grassroots behaviour initiative.

Matt, a Visiting Fellow for the NPQSL, is absolutely delighted to be working with Ambition and excited to be working with up-and-coming senior leaders of the future as they commence and develop their careers. 

Rachel is an experienced teacher and Assistant Headteacher from a primary background.  Rachel has a passion for English and firmly believes that providing children with secure literacy skills is vitally important to help children become life-long learners and support them in becoming successful members of society. 

Through both her SLE role and her role as a writing specialist for the Bradford Writing Project last year, Rachel has been fortunate to support a wide variety of schools across Bradford with English.  She is also the Exceed English Expert Colleague and a visiting fellow for the NPQLL.  She is delighted to share her passion for English and work with up-and-coming English leaders. 

Leanne has seventeen years of teaching experience in Bradford primary schools. Leanne has held a range of leadership roles including, phase leader, SENDCo, Assistant Head Teacher and currently holds the role of Deputy Head Teacher. She has led Early Years and Key Stage 1 across three different schools for over ten years and previously worked as an Early Year moderator for the Local Authority for over five years. Within her leadership roles, Leanne has also led a range of subjects, including Early Reading and Phonics. She is currently an ECT Induction Tutor and DDSL.

Leanne firmly believes that in order to bring about improved outcomes for our children, continued professional development should be an integral part of daily practice for all teachers and school leaders. She holds the NPQSL qualification and is currently completing her NPQH. She is a Visiting Fellow and is currently delivering the NPQEYL to aspiring Early Years leaders in Bradford and beyond. 

Lucy is an experienced Early Years Leader and teacher who has worked in the EYFS for 10 years. She holds an NPQSL: National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. Lucy has worked as a tutor on the EYFS SCITT, supporting teachers new to the profession to develop their skills and expertise and has held a role as an SLE for Early Years for over 4 years, working with a number of schools to develop and enhance their EYFS provision. She is now a Visiting Fellow for the NPQEYL.

Martha is an experienced Senior Leader and Teacher Educator, from a Secondary background and has taken on various leadership roles ranging from Advanced Skills Teacher, SLE, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and is now Headteacher of Skipton Girls' High School.   Martha has worked in a range of secondary contexts including inner city Bradford, with a particular focus and interest in Quality of Education, Professional Development and all things Research driven. Martha is a Visiting Fellow for NPQSL.

Kirsty is an experienced Head Teacher working for Exceed Academies Trust. She is currently an Executive Head Teacher leading 2 primary school within the trust.  Kirsty has a wealth of primary school experience having carried out a number of roles including Early Years Lead and SENDCo for many years.

Kirsty has supported schools who have been put into special measures by Ofsted to help them action plan and begin their journey of rapid improve to become at least good. She is an experienced visiting fellow tutoring on the NPQLT and Early Career Teacher programmes.

Luke is a secondary headteacher with broad experience in all areas of school leadership and improvement. Current areas of interest are curriculum and finance. Luke has completed the NPQEL and is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching with Chartered Teacher (Leadership) status. Luke is a Visiting Fellow for the NPQH programme.

Andrew teaches in a primary setting and works as the research lead for Exceed Academies Trust, disseminating and implementing education research in schools across the area. Andrew is passionate about high quality teacher education which has a lasting impact of teachers and their pedagogy.  He has designed and delivered a wealth of evidence-based teacher development programmes for teachers and school leaders. These have included developing provision for more able pupils; working scientifically skills; modelling; curriculum design and developing metacognition. Andrew currently teaches in Reception and is a Visiting Fellow for the NPQLT.  

Natalie has a background in Primary Teaching and now serves as both an Assistant Maths Hub Lead and Targeted Support Lead across West Yorkshire. She facilitates on the Early Career Framework (ECF) and a range of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). Previously, she worked as a Delivery Partner for NPQ delivery and contributed as a content writer for the NPQ in Leading Primary Maths.

In a former role, Natalie was responsible for writing and delivering professional development materials, as well as creating curriculum content used by schools worldwide. This role gave her the opportunity to collaborate with schools across the UK, an experience she considers a privilege.

Currently, alongside her content creation and facilitation work, Natalie leads the Targeted Support programme for maths-based school improvement and oversees the Teaching for Mastery workgroup offer, which supports over 300 schools throughout West Yorkshire.

Natalie is passionate about mathematics, enjoys working with a wide range of professionals at all stages of their careers, and has a particular interest in content development and supporting schools with effective implementation strategies. She is currently pursuing a School Development Lead accreditation and a Master’s degree in Mathematical Research.