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The EPT’s range of support services are tailored to the needs of each school. Services are managed and delivered by our highly qualified and approachable central team, who are dedicated to securing the long term success of your school by providing access to information and guidance on all aspects of school support, including school improvement, Ofsted compliance and preparation, health & safety, HR, finance, IT and governance.

“We work together to support and encourage our schools, share our thoughts and make the right decisions for our young people.”

Ian Kendrick, Director, EPT

Chief Executive

Sharon Roscoe
Chief Executive

Sharon has worked as a MAT CEO for over 10 years with extensive governance experience having served as a governor and chair of governors for primary, secondary, alternative provision and special school governing bodies. She graduated as MBA in 2011 from Lancaster University. Sharon led the successful re-brokerage and transfer of Atherton High School and Burnley High School into the EPT in 2020. She is a member of the Department for Education Alternative Provision Stakeholder group which advises government and shapes policy.

Executive Team

Caroline Howarth
Human Resources Director

Caroline has worked in the education sector for over 8 years, having previously held a senior management role within the travel industry for over 13 years. Her expertise is in both operational and strategic HR practices. Caroline is CIPD qualified and is also a MBTI practitioner and works strategically with the CEO and FD to ensure legal compliance and implementation of the Trust’s vision and values. Overseeing all aspects of human resources management, she has established and developed the Human Resource team to effectively support the schools within the Trust.

Jonathan Georgy
Director of Finance, IT & Estates

Jonathan is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow member of ICAEW which he has held membership for over 10 years. Prior to joining the Education Partnership Trust, Jonathan worked for 3 years as the Financial Accountant for a large, national Multi Academy Trust where he worked closely with the Trust’s CFO. Before transferring into Education, Jonathan completed 10 years within the audit sector, working across various sectors before starting to specialise in academy audits.

In addition to leading finance, Jonathan has been driving IT strategy and implementation across the Trust for over 3 years. More recently Jonathan has taken on leading Estates across the Trust.

Mark Cocker
Director of Education

Mark is a qualified teacher and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Mark was Headteacher for seven years at a Trust secondary school, successfully leading the school from Requires Improvement to Outstanding in all areas. Prior to working as the Director of Education, Mark gained extensive senior management experience as an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher in a range of comprehensive schools across four local authorities in the North West. He has experience of Ofsted inspections, leading on quality assurance, learning and assessment, curriculum design, safeguarding, behaviour and attendance and leadership.

HR & Governance

Helen Appleby
HR Operations Manager

Helen joined the Central Team in January 2022 as HR Operations Manager and is responsible for all HR matters including employee relations, recruitment and learning and development.  Helen brings 9 years’ experience in HR and is qualified to Post Graduate Level with Level 7 CIPD.  Helen has previously managed HR within the sectors of Engineering, Construction and Manufacturing.

Wendy Bridson
Governance Manager

Wendy joined the Central Team in May 2022 having previously worked in Local Government. She brings 19 years’ experience of working in governance to her role and is responsible for overseeing governance effectiveness and compliance within the Trust, ensuring it meets statutory and regulatory requirements. Wendy’s role focuses on the functioning of the school’s Local Governing Bodies by providing administrative and organisational support, along with guidance on procedural matters.

Nicola Platt
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager

Nicola is responsible for health, safety and wellbeing.  Her role focuses on promoting and delivering wellbeing initiatives and, training opportunities for our workforce whilst ensuring that the Trust is compliant in all health & safety matters.  Nicola holds the National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety and brings 8 years of experience of working in an educational setting to her role from previously working as School Business Manager in a school in Salford and has worked in the travel industry beforehand in a managerial capacity for over 15 years.

Finance

Linda Clarke
Finance Manager

Linda became a qualified accountant in 2001 after choosing to study whilst also working full time in the profit sector and practice. After this Linda moved to work in the Not for Profit sector for several years as Head of Finance for a charity supporting adults with Learning Disabilities before taking a two year break to be a full time Foster Carer. Linda then moved back into the profit sector doing the accounts for an e-commerce and hospitality business. In June 2020, during lockdown, Linda moved to work for EPT as Finance Manager.

Kyle Robinson
Finance Officer

Kyle is a certified AAT accountant, lending his financial expertise to support all our schools while concurrently overseeing centralized financial administration. His proficiency extends to specialised assistance with Sage, the Trust’s designated accounting software. Kyle also supports on IMP, guiding the implementation and management of the Trust’s new budgeting and forecasting system. In addition, he holds responsibility for administering the staff wellbeing policy, the Teachers Pensions Scheme and is responsible for the upkeep of the Trust intranet and social media pages.

Through his multifaceted role, Kyle plays a pivotal part in maintaining financial integrity and fostering the overall well-being of the educational community within the Trust.

IT

Talha Mulla
IT Manager

With over 11 years of dedicated experience in the IT industry, Talha brings a wealth of expertise to our organization. Before joining the central team, he served as the IT Manager at one of our trust schools. Talha holds certifications in IT software and hardware, with a focus on networking and firewall technologies. His comprehensive understanding of the education sector is evident in his support for both staff and students, leveraging IT to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Talha’s proficiency and hands-on experience make him a valuable asset in driving technological excellence within our Trust.

Asghar Hussain
Field IT Technician

Asghar studied at the University of Central Lancashire and achieved an upper-class degree in Computer Network Technology BSc (Hons). He has previously worked with the Department for Work and Pensions and is now a Field Technician developing the IT infrastructure for all schools within the trust.

Zubair Mulla
Field IT Technician

Zubair is an experienced IT Technician with robust technical expertise, adept at troubleshooting and maintaining systems. He has a proven track record in managing IT infrastructure and ensuring seamless operations. Zubair is committed to staying abreast of emerging technologies to drive innovation and efficiency. He also possesses a strong passion and interest in networking and migration projects. Zubair has prior experience at another Trust, where he supported various schools and contributed to IT projects.

Umar Bapu
IT Apprentice

As an aspiring professional in the IT field, Umar is keen on honing practical skills and knowledge while contributing to the seamless operation of technology in schools. With a passion for learning, he actively supports IT initiatives, assisting both educators and students in navigating the digital realm. Umar is committed to his professional development through this apprenticeship opportunity and making a positive impact on the educational experiences within our school communities.

Data & Analytics

Jilani Bux
Data & Analytics Manager

Jilani, an accomplished Data and Analytics Manager, seamlessly transitioned to Data Management and Analysis following the completion of an IT Apprenticeship at one of our Trust schools. He has played a key role in ensuring the reliability and quality of education-related data. Proficient in data warehousing, SQL, and dashboarding, Jilani not only unifies data practices and fosters coherence among schools but also empowers them to make strategic, data-driven choices. His expertise lies in implementing tailored data solutions, transforming raw data into actionable intelligence that optimises processes and efficiency. Passionate about staying at the forefront of data advancements, Jilani is dedicated to creating an informed, responsive, and successful learning environment.