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.
Jodie Bownes - Vice Chair of Board of Trustees
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.
Janey Cooksley
Janey is a strategic-focused education leader with experience spanning over 20 years in leadership, currently a serving headship and a Regional Director of Education in a national trust. She has successfully led a school through significant transformation, raising outcomes, empowering staff, and creating a culture of high expectations. Her current school was rated OFSTED outstanding and won TES school of the year in 2022.
Driven by a deep commitment to social justice and equity, Janey believes every child, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to thrive. In her regional role and whole trust leadership role, she works across multiple schools, aligning improvement strategies, analysing impact, and ensuring that strategic decisions deliver meaningful change. Having worked closely with governing bodies throughout her career, Janey brings strategic insight, strong governance experience, and a collaborative approach to the Trust. Her values-led leadership and unwavering focus on inclusion ensure she contributes to shaping a future where every child has the best possible chance to succeed.
Natalie Dixon - Chair of the Business, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
Natalie Dixon is Executive Director at Ambition Institute, where she leads the organisation’s delivery of the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications and the Technology, Compliance and Estates Division.
Natalie began her career in the NHS, joining directly after university through the NHS Graduate Management Programme. She went on to hold senior operational roles across public services, including in the NHS and policing, with a focus on service transformation and improvement.
Since joining Ambition Institute in 2022 as Senior Director of Operations and Delivery, Natalie has taken on increasing leadership responsibility, culminating in her appointment as Executive Director. In this role, she oversees large-scale national programmes supporting the professional development of teachers and school leaders across England.
Alongside her executive role, Natalie has served as a trustee of the Northamptonshire Primary Academy Trust (NPAT) since 2023, contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the trust.
Natalie is deeply committed to the education sector and to helping close the disadvantage gap. She is passionate about ensuring that all teachers and leaders have access to high-quality professional development, so that every child, regardless of background, can thrive. She holds a BA in Social Policy and Politics from the University of York, and has since completed an MA, an MBA, and a PgDip at a range of academic institutions.
Rob Hardcastle - Chair of Education, Standards & Performance Committee
Rob has over 28 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. He is currently CEO of Hatton Academies Trust.
Rob has a track record of successfully improving schools and securing educational excellence. Sir Christopher Hatton Academy remains one of the highest performing secondary academies in the East Midlands and its primary academies have all been judged by Ofsted to provide a Good standard of education in the last 12 months.
In 2016, Rob was shortlisted for the Pearson Teaching Awards in the category of Primary Headteacher of the Year. As a Principal, he has secured judgements by Ofsted of Outstanding in every category in 2015. He is the senior partner for Challenge Partners Northants Hub and
Julia Kedwards
Julia Kedwards is the Chief Executive Officer of Northampton Primary Academy Trust (NPAT). She 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 early in her career. Julia is a founding member of NPAT and has led the evolution of the trust from its original five schools to its current position of 14 schools, establishing a central team and developing clear strategies for the development of the education, finance, operations and growth functions. Julia also sits on the Board of Trustees for two multi-academy trusts in the region. Julia was awarded an OBE for her work in the Queen's New Year 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 entrepreneur and experienced executive leader, having led large teams across the UK and in Africa for a major global bank. He left corporate life in 2019 to establish Ylead, with a mission to help other leaders lead with purpose, compassion and courage. He is a passionate advocate for Leadership, Culture, Inclusion and particularly Gender Equity, where he has become a sought-after speaker and advisor on the topic for organisations around the world. In his spare time, he is an enthusiastic armchair sportsman, slow runner, Chelsea fan and most importantly, father to Phoebe and Toby.
Gurjit Virk
Gurjit has worked in education for over 29 years and is currently the CEO of a multi-academy trust in Irthlingborough, leading six schools across the Trust. Prior to this, she was Headteacher of two primary schools, one of which was a CofE School and within her roles has developed a strong commitment to ensuring that every child receives the best possible education and opportunities to succeed.
She is passionate about school improvement, collaboration, and creating environments where both children and staff can thrive. Gurjit works hard to promote diversity and equality, and ensuring that every child feels valued and able to succeed. She is delighted to be joining NPAT as a Trustee and looking forward to contributing her experience and expertise to support the Trust’s vision and continued success.
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 was Headteacher of Lodge Park Academy from 2019 to 2022 and is currently the Principal of Sharnbrook Academy in Bedfordshire. Carly has a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Cambridge and also holds the NPQH and NPQEL.
