James Marscheider - Chair of Board of Trustees
James is a senior marketing professional with nearly twenty years' experience leading teams in high performance organisations. He is also a Parent Governor at another Northamptonshire Primary School. Success in both roles requires excellent communication skills, budgeting and leadership skills, skills which James is happy to share to support our success moving forward. James enjoys the opportunity to work with the central team to enhance NPAT's marketing and community engagement activities. James is a Father of three and (when time allows) is a keen golfer and still attempts to play football as often as possible.
Natalie Dixon - Chair of the Business, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
Natalie began her career in the NHS, joining straight after University through the NHS Graduate Management Programme. Natalie has subsequently held senior operational roles in public services including Policing and the NHS, specialising service transformation and service improvement.
Having joined Ambition Institute in early 2022 as Senior Director of Operations and Delivery, Natalie took up leadership of the Early Careers Framework and National Professional Qualifications Programme faculties in July of the same year.
Natalie is passionate about learning; she studied Social Policy and Politics at the University of York for her undergraduate degree, and has subsequently gone on to gain an MA, MBA and PgDip at various academic institutions.
Natalie lives in Yorkshire with her husband and dog, is a keen walker, gardening enthusiast and volunteer for local regeneration group.
Rob Hardcastle - Chair of Education, Standards & Performance Committee
Rob Hardcastle has twenty-five years of experience in education in Northamptonshire primary and secondary settings. He has worked in roles such as Advanced Skills Teacher, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher and Head of Primary Education and is currently CEO of Hatton Academies Trust. In 2016, Rob was shortlisted for the Pearson Teaching Awards in the category of Primary Headteacher of the Year. As a Headteacher, he secured judgements by Ofsted of Outstanding in every category in 2015. He is the senior partner for Challenge Partners Northants Hub and delivers NPQSL training for Best Practice Networks. Rob is very much looking forward to working with the NPAT Board of Trustees.
Sandra Appleby
Sandra Appleby has taught and led in primary schools in London and the East Midlands for more then twenty five years. She is currently a Headteacher and Senior Regional Director of Primary Education for the David Ross Education Trust. As a System Leader within the multi-academy trust, Sandra's role involves strategic trust-wide planning and providing training, support and challenge to the Principals, senior leadership teams, staff and governoors across the trust. She is a member of the Northamptonshire Schools Forum as well as being a member of several school governing boards.
As Headteacher of Greenfields Primary School and Nursery in Kettering (rated Outstanding - Ofsted January 2020), she has seen many key successes, amongst which was the crowning of the school as East Midlands Primary Champion at the prestigious TES Pupil Premium Awards. Sandra holds the view that educational excellence can be and should be achieved in every school, regardless of the community challenges. A view that aligns very nicely with the NPAT vision and values.
Jodie Bownes
Jodie is a Finance Business Partner working for one of the UKs largest retailers focusing mainly on strategic plans for their distribution network. Using strong interpersonal skills with a finance lens and logical approach enables her to work through difficult scenarios and support the implementation of simpler processes. Jodie is also a mum to two small children. In the rare moments of peace she loves to hide away with a great book.
Julia Kedwards
Julia Kedwards is the Chief Executive Officer of Northampton Primary Academy Trust (NPAT). Julia has worked for the trust for many years, having previously been Headteacher of Ecton Brook Primary School, a larger than average split site primary school in Northampton and a Teacher at Headlands Primary School. Julia is a founding member of NPAT and has led the evolution of the trust from its original five schools to its current position, establishing a central team and developing clear strategies for the development of the education, finance, operations and growth functions. Julia was awarded an OBE for her work in the Queens New Years Honours List 2018.
Oladele Osinaike
Oladele was born and raised in Nigeria where he obtained his first degree in Accounting. In 2008, he moved to the UK for further studies and he obtained an MSc in Management and Investment Strategy from Nottingham Business School (Nottingham Trent University). He is an experienced specialist who has worked in different roles with various banks and consulting firms as a Compliance Consultant since 2012. He is involved in his local church, Compass Church Wellingborough, where he works in the welcome team. Oladele enjoys watching football and he is a Chelsea fan.
Jeremy Stockdale
Jeremy is an experienced leader of people and businesses, having led teams across multiple disciplines, sectors and geographies throughout the UK and in Africa for a major high street bank. This experience has given Jeremy a passion for Culture, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion and the vital role all play in the transformation of businesses to create long-term, sustainable benefit for both organisations and society. In his spare time, he is an enthusiastic armchair sportsman, slow runner, Chelsea fan and most importantly, husband to Helen and father to two children.
Carly Waterman - Safeguarding Trustee
A teacher of English since 1999 and an experienced school leader, Carly has expertise in many areas including teaching, leadership, curriculum and assessment. Carly has taught in four Northamptonshire schools including Northampton School for Girls, where she was Deputy Headteacher from 2008 to 2017. Carly has a master's degree in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Cambridge and the NPQH. In September 2017, Carly established her own education training and advisory business supporting schools, advising government policy and contributing to research.
Despite being kept busy by a passion for education, Carly's most important job is being mum to two primary school aged girls.
