Chief Executive Officer / Accounting Officer
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/Trust 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.
Trust 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 / Clerk to Trustees
Helen spent 10 years working as an Executive Assistant in the media industry and previously worked within finance and recruitment roles.
Helen joined Discovery MAT in 2019 and is the Business Support Officer. She is the PA to the CEO and is the Clerk to the Trustees.
Part Time HR Business Manager & 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. Part of the central team, she now provides support to finance and personnel operations.