Our Current Board of Trustees
Jay Mercer, Chair of Trustees
Jay has an extensive career working in the learning and skills and education sector. Jay was an Executive Director at the Learning and Skills Council and has experience across the education sector as a whole. Jay was instrumental in the establishment of Learning Plus UK.
Margaret Lenton, Trustee
Margaret has recently retired from her Headship at Slough Grammar School. In its Ofsted inspection in 2008, Slough Grammar School was rated outstanding in all areas. As well as being a Trustee at Learning Plus UK, Margaret is also a local Magistrate.
Peter Devereux, Trustee
Peter is currently a Secondary 14-19 adviser in Wokingham. He has extensive experience working in the 14-19 sector in a range of local authority and school settings. Through his experience, he has helped to make a considerable difference to the lives of children and their families.
Gordon Ironside, Trustee
Gordon is currently headteacher at Sutton Grammar School for Boys in South London. The school under his leadership is regarded as outstanding by Ofsted and is rated amongst the top 10% of schools nationally in achieving academic excellence.
Alex Biddle, Trustee
Alex is currently headteacher at St Crispin's School, Wokingham. His school has also been rated as outstanding in its recent Ofsted inspection. Alex has recently been appointed as National Leader of Education to use his expertise in assisting struggling schools.
Clare Collins, Trustee
Clare is the current chair of the National Governors’ Association (NGA), which she has chaired since 2008. She is also a founder member of the West Sussex Governor’s Association and currently chairs the West Sussex Schools Forum. She has been a school governor since 1991 and has served as a governor at two primary, one middle and two secondary schools, all in West Sussex.
Steve Lambert, Trustee
Steve is currently Learning Development and Commissioning Manager (14+ Education) in Bracknell Forest. He has extensive experience of the education sector working in secondary and further education as well as for the former Learning and Skills Council. Steve is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire teaching on their MA Education programme.
James Probert, Trustee
James is currently director for programme and service at City Year London. He has a background in educational charities, and is a governor of a primary school in north west London. He is also chair of trustees of the World Schools Debating Championships