Central Team
Sam Attwater
School Improvement Partner - Early Years
Sam Attwater is the Director of Early Years for Aurora Academies Trust. Sam is passionate about the importance of giving children the best possible start to their education. Sam began her career working in a Special Care Baby Unit. Over the six years in this post, she discovered the significance of early childhood development and became interested in children’s emotional, social and physical development. In 2006, Sam decided to develop her career, investing in Early Years education. Sam has experience of developing new nurseries and achieved her first Aurora ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted in 2013.
In 2014, Sam set up the first fully integrated ‘Foundation Village’ in East Sussex. In addition to her role for the Trust, Sam has offered advice to the Department for Education, has spoken at several conferences, advised Early Years staff on a national and international scale, and is an Early Excellence Hub Lead in Eastbourne supporting over 2,400 children.
In her spare time Sam is a qualified Marine Mammal Surveyor and volunteers with the charity organisation, Orca, where she actively participates in whale and dolphin conservation.
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Heidi Attwood
School Improvement Partner - Safeguarding and Attendance
Heidi Attwood is the Safeguarding Training and Attendance Manager for the Trust. Her role involves working with the Designated Safeguarding Leads in all our schools, and managing a small team of Family Support Workers, acting as the main source of support, advice and expertise regarding safeguarding. Heidi ensures that policies and procedures meet all necessary standards in Keeping Children Safe in Education, and Working Together to Safeguard Children, ensuring that children are kept safe and get support when they need it. Heidi also works with school Attendance Officers to monitor and improve pupil attendance, a key element in ensuring good outcomes for all children.
Before joining Aurora Academies Trust, Heidi worked in special education, family support work and, most recently, in Children’s Social Care.
On a more personal note, Heidi is married with a teenage son. She is a keen hockey player and runner, but is equally happy curled up with good book!
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Alex Graham
Finance Director
Alex started her accounting career in the NHS in 2000, and qualified as a CIMA accountant in 2005. After 18 years working in NHS Finance, she decided to venture into the education sector and joined Aurora Academies Trust in January 2019. Alex is part of the Executive Team, and works closely with the Academy Business Managers to ensure that Aurora receives excellent value for money for goods and services purchased, whilst maintaining effective and robust financial systems, as evidenced in internal and external audit reports. Alex also manages the Trust contracts, including HR support, ICT and Catering services, to ensure that all these services support the educational aims of Aurora Academies Trust. Alex is married with two daughters, and during her spare time enjoys holidays with her family, being outdoors and horse-riding.
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James Freeston
Director of Education and Standards
James is Director of Education and Standards. He has worked for the Trust since it was formed in September 2012, initially as Headteacher of King Offa Primary Academy before taking on Executive Headship of schools within the Trust. Prior to this he held senior leadership positions in a number of schools and has taught internationally. He has a strong record in bringing about rapid school improvement and building sustainable and successful schools. James is also vice chair of East Sussex Schools Forum, Chairs the Rother, Rye and Hastings Education Improvement Partnership and is a member of the East Sussex Primary Board. In addition to this, James has significant experience of conducting Ofsted inspections as a contracted inspector.
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Martha Burnige
Interim CEO
Martha has over fifteen years’ experience of providing legal advice to schools and education institutions. After seven years as a solicitor in London with two leading education law firms, Stone King and Veale Wasbrough Vizards, she moved to an in-house role as company solicitor for a large education and training group with a turnover of over £80m. She is currently Executive Vice President of Pansophic Learning responsible for its international schools including the International School of Berne in Switzerland, where she serves on the board. Martha is a Fellow of the RSA and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Educators.
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