Firstly, Lee Kirtley who joined the trust almost a year ago as executive principal, with responsibility for overseeing improvements across both academies, has been promoted to CEO, taking over from Ian Kershaw, who has led the trust as CEO for the last year.  

During that time, Mr Kershaw rebranded the trust - formerly known as Kenton Schools Academy Trust - presided over the development and implementation of this new name and undertook widespread reorganisation of strategic and day-to-day operations to ensure a sound platform for continuing success, academic achievement, improvement and growth.

As a recent Ofsted inspection of Kenton School said: ‘The arrival of new trust leadership has seen the rate of improvement gather pace. Leadership throughout the school has strengthened. Leaders are taking staff with them on the school’s improvement journey. Staff are proud to work at the school.’

With a background in school improvement, Mr Kirtley is committed to creating a culture built around high expectations and, along with Mr Kershaw, is widely credited with transforming the environment in Kenton School throughout 2022, which now welcomes a new principal. 

Jason Holt, an English and literacy specialist, is also an experienced teacher, senior leader and education adviser with a keen interest in school improvement, which has seen him leading and supporting school improvement in 22 schools across the country.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Holt said:  “I am delighted to be joining Northern Leaders Trust at such a pivotal time in its development.  I come well-equipped to continue the good work that has already begun following my last two years as an education adviser for a large multi academy trust where I have guided four schools out of special measures and helped a further four on their journey from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’ Ofsted judgments.  

“A quality education has the power to break down barriers.  Great teaching can genuinely provide young people with the means to radically improve their lives, and this is my commitment to all Kenton students.” 

Mr Kirtley said:  “It has been a hugely enjoyable and informative experience working so closely with Ian Kershaw  over the last year.  My role now will be to seamlessly build on this work and the upward trajectory for both schools, with a view to possible expansion of the trust in the future by consistently improving our standards of teaching and learning.

“We have made good progress throughout 2022 and we are looking ahead to 2023 with confidence and enthusiasm.”

Speaking about these two key appointments, chair of the board of trustees, Dr Thérèse Quincey, added:  “Mr Kirtley has made a big impression over the last year with his passion for school improvement and we are delighted to have both promoted him to the position of CEO and also, to have attracted someone of Jason’s calibre and experience to lead the further improvement of Kenton School’s quality of teaching and learning.  

“We now have a dynamic team of trustees, governors and senior leaders in place to take the trust forward and I should like to thank everyone for their hard work throughout the last year.”