Chief Executive and Accounting Officer

Rachel Wilkes is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer for Humber Education Trust. Following a degree in languages, she started her career in business and then audit and risk management before training to be a teacher. She has worked on school leadership teams since 2004 and completed an MA in Education. Rachel has been involved in system leadership at many levels during her career, providing school to school support, training and challenge to colleagues. Prior to becoming the CEO, Rachel was Headteacher at Clifton Primary School. In 2016, the school achieved an outstanding rating from Ofsted. Rachel is also a National Leader of Education.

Deputy CEO / Strategic School Improvement Lead

Paul Plumridge is the Deputy CEO and Strategic School Improvement Lead for Humber Education Trust. He has significant experience in this role across a range of schools and trusts and enjoys supporting and challenging colleagues in a practical and collaborative way. Prior to taking up the post of Deputy CEO, Paul was the Headteacher of Adelaide Primary School and Associate Headteacher of Eastfield Primary School.

Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Nina Siddle is the Chief Finance & Operations Officer for the Humber Education Trust, responsible for all financial and operational compliance.  She has worked in school business management for over 30 years, both maintained schools and academies, primary and special schools.  

Nina is an accredited School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA), brokered by ISBL for the Department for Education, a Fellow of ISBL and Chair/Founder of the Humber & East Yorkshire School Business Leaders (HEYSBL).  She has previously worked as a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE), a Regional Practitioner for ISBL, a National College Advocate and a National College Primary Partnership Advisor. 

Strategic Special School Improvement Lead

Berni has worked within special education for over 30 years, and is passionate in her desire to ensure the best provision for children and young people with learning difficulties. She has been Headteacher of Tweendykes school for 15 years, and is proud of her staff team who work together to maintain the high standards of education - ensuring Tweendykes gained Outstanding at Ofsted for the last 3 inspections. Berni is currently the Special School Improvement Lead and works across our special and mainstream schools, supporting provision for the most complex learners. She is the Headteacher Designate for Willowfield Academy, the new SLD free school being built in Hull.

Primary School Improvement Lead

Deb James is the Primary School Improvement Lead, as well as being the Executive Headteacher of Bude Park Primary School. With over 25 years working as a senior leader mostly within schools in Hull, Deb is well positioned to support, advise and coach others in all aspects of primary teaching and learning. Deb is particularly passionate about staff development and has been involved in initial teacher training for most of her career – supporting trainee teachers and early career teachers, as well as working in school improvement for many years – coaching, training and developing staff, including school leaders across a variety of teaching and learning aspects.

Strategic Safeguarding & Risk Management Lead

Phillip Painter is the Strategic Safeguarding and Risk Management Lead for Humber Education Trust. He has significant experience in leading and developing education safeguarding practice within schools, multi academy trusts and local authorities. Phillip has a wide range of experiences working within school leadership teams and local authority children’s services. Prior to taking up this post, Phillip was a Safeguarding Adviser for North Yorkshire County Council and previously was the Education Safeguarding Manager for Hull City Council. Phillip is a member of the Association of Child Protection Professionals (AoCPP) and CAPE - Child Protection in Education.