Stuart Gardner serves as the Trust CEO for the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, overseeing 26 schools in the South East, South and South of England with a collective student population exceeding 16,000.
As a National Leader of Education, Stuart brings over 20 years of experience to his role, having previously served as Headteacher and Executive Headteacher in a variety of educational settings, ranging from schools in Special Measures to those judged as Outstanding.
Stuart's passion lies in ensuring that every child has the best possible chance in life, and he believes that the key to success lies in metacognition. By empowering students to become consciously competent at controlling their own minds and habits, they can actively shape their own success.
As Deputy CEO of The Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT) Lee is responsible for the strategic operational functions of the organisation. He is an experienced Business Manager/Finance Director with more than 15 years of experience, supporting both primary and secondary schools. He continues to work closely with the ESFA and, as result, has been deployed in a number of Trusts that have required support or intervention.
In addition to his Business Management experience, Lee is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has completed a PGCE in Business Management. Through his work he has become well versed in some of the challenges that face the education sector in areas that include' financial planning; HR management; legal issues; site and IT strategies.
Lee was recognised in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours for his services to Education and appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Jay has accrued more than 25 years of teaching and leadership experience across a range of educational settings that varied significantly in location, size and culture. Previous leadership roles include two secondary headships, and Director of Staff and Leadership development within a MAT. In these roles Jay developed a particular interest in teaching and learning, curriculum development and wellbeing. Prior to joining TSAT, Jay founded an educational and school improvement consultancy business working with a range of schools. Jay holds the NPQH qualification and is also a qualified SENDCO and Executive Coach and has significant experience as a governor at both primary and secondary level.
Jay was appointed as Regional Director for the South West in January 2024 and is looking forward to working for TSAT in continuing to establish high quality provision for all our young people in the South West region.
Daniel is an experienced senior leader with 20 years’ experience as a history teacher. He is passionate about the power of education to transform the life chances of young people. He is excited about the potential of metacognition to accelerate learning for staff and pupils alike. Daniel has worked in all-through school leadership since 2011, including as Principal at a 4-18 academy in London. He holds the NPQH and has extensive experience as a school governor and as an inspector with Ofsted. Daniel brings a track record of raising standards for pupils, and developing staff and leaders. Alongside this, he is committed to making sure that pupils’ time in school gives them the confidence and self-belief to succeed in their life beyond education.
Daniel joined TSAT in January 2025 as the Executive Principal at The Portsmouth Academy and Regional Director for TSAT South in Portsmouth. Outside of education, Daniel is a keen runner and cyclist, and a qualified mountain bike coach.
Michelle is an experienced senior leader serving over 24 years in education. She has worked in both non-selective and selective settings as well as in an all-through school. Originally, Michelle trained as a Modern Foreign Languages Teacher (French, Spanish and Italian). As well as leading schools, Michelle is an experienced school governor. She holds the NPQH, the NPQEL and is a Fellow of The Chartered College of Teaching.
Michelle joined TSAT in June 2021 as the Principal of The Victory Academy. In 2024, Michelle was awarded with Kent and Medway Headteacher of the Year; a testament to her hard work and dedication to education. Since then, Michelle has worked extensively with TSAT schools in the South and South East as Regional Director.
In addition to Michelle’s education experience, she is an International Mountain Leader; having climbed (and led on) some very high and remote mountains throughout the world.
Anna Webb brings a wealth of expertise with her 28 years of experience in primary school teaching and leadership. Holding qualifications such as NPQH and MEd in Leadership and Management, Anna has held a diverse range of roles in education, including teacher, Deputy Head Teacher, Headteacher and Executive Headteacher. Her career has spanned over various schools across different local authorities, initially starting in Portsmouth at Meon Junior School.
Anna was appointed as Deputy Director for Education in September 2023 and plays a pivotal role in supporting and working with primary schools in Portsmouth. Her focus is on driving forward improvement and ensuring that schools maintain the highest standards of education.
Kirstie has over 24 years of dedicated experience in leadership within the Medway primary schools. Her journey with the Thinking Schools Academy Trust began in 2016 when she took on the role of Headteacher at Cedar Children's Academy, in Strood. Building on her proven track record, Kirstie progressed on the role of Executive Headteacher for Medway primary schools in September 2023.
Kirstie's professional focus extends to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), a passion evident in her frequent undertaking of the SENDCo role in various leadership positions. Actively engaged in local authority processes related to SEND, Kirstie ensures that schools under her leadership and influence stay informed about the ever-changing landscape in this critical area.
Beyond her TSAT responsibilities, Kirstie has demonstrated her commitment to education by serving as a governor for a non-TSAT secondary school for three years. Her diverse experience showcases her dedication to fostering positive educational environments and advocating for the inclusion and support of all students.
Janina had a successful career in the Financial Services as an HR Director before moving to state education in 2001. She completed her PGCE (16-19) whilst lecturing in Further & Higher Education, delivering a range Business, Law & Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development qualifications. She has gained her Fellowship of the CIPD for her continued work in the HR Field.
Janina has worked with a range of Trust Schools and in several roles during her 14 years with the Trust. She was Head of School and taught at two, including The Victory Academy and Holcombe Grammer School, before being invited to move into one of the original Executive Business Manager/HBO roles, working across the Chatham hub of schools. Janina holds the NPQH qualification and is the Chair of the Victory Sea Cadet unit, having worked with unit since its formation. She is also a member of the Medway Creative Education Partnership and supports schools in the South West as Chair of Plympton’s governors and as Regional Governor for Torbay and Southwest school committees. Passionate about Arts, Culture and Creativity, she supports schools with their Artsmark journeys and currently leads on Pupil Premium strategies to support Trust work in transforming life chances of our students, with a particular focus on disadvantage.
Janina became Director of Strategic Delivery in September 2022 and was appointed to the Executive team in September 2023. In 2023/24 Janina has covered the additional role as Head of HR (Strategy) during the maternity absence of the Head of HR and has been leading both the Strategic and People Directorates.
Dan joined All Faiths Children’s Academy in 2006 in two roles as a Bursar and IT Technician, becoming Business Manager for the school within the following two years. As the Trust expanded, Dan was promoted to the role of Trust Business Manager, which eventually led to him becoming Head of Finance and leading the Trust’s first centralised team, Thinking Financial.
In 2020, Dan joined the Executive Team as Director of Service Delivery and Performance and was responsible for ensuring all our schools receive high quality Central Services from our Finance, HR, IT, Facilities and Marketing teams. In addition to this Dan ensured Risk Management is effectively delivered throughout the Trust.
Dan has supported a number of external Trusts and schools with their financial management, helping them overcome some challenging circumstances and build solid financial foundations.
Dan has recently moved into the role of Director of Operations, leading the Thinking Facilities and Technology Teams that ensure all the schools within the Trust are well supported, safe and fit for purpose.