Chief Executive Officer/Executive Headteacher
Alison was born and raised in Plymouth, and has a background in business and finance, having worked in international banking prior to a career in teaching.
After moving back to Plymouth to start a family, Alison trained as a teacher, with a specialism in Early Years and Maths and began working at Calstock school. During this time, she completed her NPQH (Headship training) and five years later was appointed as a non-teaching Deputy at North Prospect Community Primary School. Alison took up her headship Weston Mill after two years and moved the school forward in many areas, but in particular on standards.
Alison has trained as an Ofsted Inspector (Primary and Early Years) and continues to support other schools through the Plymouth Teaching School.
As Chief Executive Officer/Executive Headteacher of Discovery Multi Academy Trust, Alison works to improve outcomes and opportunities for all of the Trust's children, by leading school improvement across each of the academies. Alison looks forward to developing links in collaborative working across the city, as well as furthering STEM development for the Trust.
Chief Finance Officer/MAT Business Manager (Finance)
Carolyn worked for Langley Infants School, before it joined the Southernway Federation (Oakwood and Beechwood Primary Schools). She has worked as School Business Manager for almost 20 years, joining the MAT in her current role when the Southernway Federation formed Discovery MAT with Weston Mill. As Chief Finance Officer, Carolyn has operational responsibility for all financial aspects of the Trust.
MAT Business Manager (Personnel)
Dianne worked as Weston Mill’s School Business Manager for almost 20 years, taking her current role when Discovery MAT was formed in 2016. As part of the central team, Dianne looks after HR across our academies. Dianne looks forward to the development of her new role in Discovery MAT.
Facilities & ICT Manager
Leslie served 26 years in the Royal Navy. On leaving, he spent a further 4 years at Weston Mill Primary School as the Site Manager where he has enjoyed assisting with various improvements to the school, and seeing through a number of significant projects to benefit the children.
Leslie has experience in Facilities Management and Health & Safety, and aims to continue to develop the Trust's operational and developmental capacity going forward.
Business Support Officer & PA to the CEO / Company Secretary / Clerk to the Trustees
Sarah joined Discovery MAT in 2016, having previously worked in school administration at Weston Mill and gaining a Masters with Distinction in Publishing from Plymouth University. As Business Support Officer and PA to the CEO, Sarah provides both administrative and procedural support to the CEO and Trustees, in addition to being the central point of contact for academies within the Trust. Sarah is Company Secretary for Discovery MAT, and is also the Clerk to the Trustees.
Finance/Personnel Assistant
Kelly has a number of years of experience providing administrative support in and out of school settings. She joined Weston Mill in 2016 as Administration Assistant. She now splits her time between Weston Mill and the MAT central office, providing support in finance and personnel.