At Belong Multi Academy Trust, our leadership team is united by a shared commitment to exceptional education, inclusive community, and the flourishing of every child and adult. Each member brings deep expertise, a heart for service, and a passion for the Trust’s vision of belonging.
Claire has worked in secondary education across Liverpool and the North West for 28 years, progressing from Teacher of Geography to Headteacher. She holds a Masters degree in Advanced Educational Practice, an Honorary Fellowship with Liverpool John Moores University, and has completed a national CEO training programme led by system leaders from across the UK. Claire is passionate about creating inclusive environments with strong pastoral structures where all young people, regardless of background or starting point, are inspired to be aspirational and achieve their very best. She continues to support schools and trusts in their development, sharing her expertise to strengthen leadership and practice. As Chief Executive Officer of Belong Church of England Multi Academy Trust, Claire leads with vision, integrity and compassion to ensure every child is known, loved and enabled to flourish.
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Mark brings extensive experience as a Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and senior leader within high-performing schools and Multi Academy Trusts. His leadership is shaped by a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, purposeful collaboration and a deep belief in the transformative power of education to help every individual flourish. He has specialist expertise in curriculum development, teaching and learning, professional development, and leadership and leads the educational strategy across the Trust. Mark oversees school improvement and staff development, ensuring that learning across all schools is ambitious, inclusive and aligned with the Trust’s vision of belonging. A trained coach and holder of the NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership), Mark is also an experienced NPQ facilitator and Ofsted Inspector, bringing a wealth of insight into leadership development and national standards.
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John Byrne is a highly experienced Chartered Accountant with over 40 years in financial leadership, including 25 years dedicated to education and local authority finance. As Chief Finance Officer, John brings strategic oversight and deep sector knowledge to ensure robust financial stewardship across the Trust. His commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability supports the Trust’s mission to deliver exceptional education rooted in Christian values. John’s work reflects a deep understanding of public sector finance and a passion for enabling schools to flourish. He plays a vital role in aligning financial planning with the Trust’s vision of hope, love, community, and compassion—ensuring every child and staff member is valued and supported.
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Paula leads on all aspects of human resources across Belong Multi Academy Trust, from recruitment and policy to staff wellbeing and compliance. A member of the CIPD, she brings both professional expertise and a genuine passion for supporting people in their roles. She is committed to building a culture where colleagues feel valued, developed, and cared for, reflecting the Trust’s ethos of compassion and community. Living out Christian values in her work, Paula ensures that staff wellbeing remains at the heart of all she does. She has introduced a number of wellbeing initiatives designed to nurture and support staff, helping to create a positive environment where everyone can flourish.
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Leon supports the Trust’s financial operations, collaborating with school business managers and leadership teams to ensure transparency and efficiency. He is ACA-qualified, having trained at Deloitte after graduating from Oxford, and has held finance roles in FTSE 100 companies. Leon also brings nearly a decade of secondary teaching experience, including leadership in parental engagement and inclusion after completing the Teach First programme. His commitment to community is reflected in his service as a trustee for the Anthony Walker Foundation and as a Liverpool city councillor. Leon is dedicated to making a positive difference for young people across the city and beyond.
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With 26 years in education, Gary has served in a range of roles—from PE teacher to Director of Sport, and now as a school leader. Archbishop Blanch is his third school, and each stage of his journey has strengthened his belief that education should be inclusive, aspirational, and transformative for all. Gary is deeply committed to creating opportunities that inspire both students and staff to thrive and reach their full potential. His leadership is shaped by the values he holds close: compassion, community, hope, and love. These principles guide both his professional practice and personal ethos, ensuring that schools are places where everyone feels they belong, where ambitions are nurtured, and where every learner is given the chance to succeed.
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Since beginning her teaching career in 2002 at Kirkdale, St Lawrence CE, Jo has remained passionate about teaching and improving the lives and aspirations of children—especially those facing challenging circumstances. From her earliest days at the school, she was inspired by the spirited, bright, and unique children in the community. After a period serving as deputy headteacher elsewhere, Jo returned to Kirkdale and, twenty years after first walking through its doors, fulfilled her long-held dream of becoming Headteacher. Her leadership is grounded in transparency, open communication, and a deep commitment to creating an inclusive school where every voice is heard and valued equally. Guided by the Christian value of compassion, Jo continues to serve the diverse and resilient community of Kirkdale with pride, ensuring that every child feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to flourish.
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Lyndsey Lewis has been Headteacher of Childwall CE Primary School since April 2025. She brings extensive experience as a Headteacher within a high-performing school and multi-academy trust, alongside her work as a School Leadership Partner. Lyndsey is highly experienced in, and passionate about, curriculum design and is dedicated to ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education tailored to their individual needs. She has a strong belief in eradicating educational disadvantage so that all children have equal opportunities to succeed. She is equally committed to collaborating with colleagues and developing staff, fostering a culture of professional growth, shared expertise and innovation to drive sustained school improvement. Most recently, Lyndsey has completed the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL), further enhancing her expertise in leading and improving schools.
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