The Lead Subject Tutors (ID 1351)

• Ben Agombar
  Geograhphy LST
  Ben Agombar

  Ben is the Head of Geography at The Ongar Academy, where he has been part of the team since 2023.

  Prior to this, he worked in several schools across East London and Essex, holding a range of roles including Careers Lead.

  With over three years of experience mentoring Early Career Teachers in both Geography and History, Ben is passionate about supporting the professional growth of new teachers. Ben's approach to mentoring is grounded in collaboration, trust, and honest dialogue. He believes that the most effective development happens through supportive coaching and practical advice that builds confidence and encourages reflective practice.

  Ben's goal is to create a positive and open environment where trainees feel empowered to grow, take risks, and flourish in the classroom to become exceptional practitioners.

  Many of Ben's mentees are thriving in the classroom, with one ECT who won an award of Highly Commended New Teacher of the Year from The Pearson Teaching Awards.

• Dan Andrews
  Science LST (Physics)
  Dan Andrews

  Daniel graduated with a master's degree in Physics from The University of Southampton in 2018. From there, Daniel trained to be a teacher through MEITT at Chelmer Valley High School; The school that he had previously attended. While training, he was awarded 1of 100 Institute of Physics Scholarships awarded across the country.

  Since qualifying, Daniel has worked at Chelmer Valley High School and in 2022, He took a role as Assistant Head of Sixth Form. A year later, he moved on to roles as Head of KS3 Science and Head of EPQ.

  He has also taken a keen interest in working with trainees. He has been mentoring trainees since 2021 and runs a core training session on the use of technology in the classroom. Daniel is the Assistant LST for Science focusing on the Physics curriculum from KS3 to KS5.

• Glenn Bracher
  Design & Technology LST
  Glenn Bracher

  Glenn is the Curriculum Lead of Design & Technology at Beauchamps High School, where he has worked since qualifying through Mid Essex ITT. He studied Art & Design: Graphic Media at the University of Essex, and draws on this creative background to design engaging curricula, develop innovative projects, and encourage students to think imaginatively about problem-solving. Starting as the sole D&T teacher, he rebuilt the subject from a non-functioning department into a thriving area of the school, leading on curriculum planning, assessment, and resourcing.

  He has mentored trainees and supported colleagues into their ECT years, finding the process rewarding and invaluable for his own development. This is Glenn's first year as Lead Subject Mentor for D&T, and he is looking forward to supporting the next generation of teachers across the partnership.

• Jo Bridgeman
  Art & Design LST
  Jo Bridgeman

  Jo was previously an AST in Art and she is currently a SLE for teaching and learning at Lift Greensward Academy. She has organised a range of programmes to help improve teachers and move them towards a grade 1. This has included running a 2-1 programme and an outstanding conference.

  These have had a continued positive outcome on improving teaching across her school. She is now a lead practitioner and part of a teaching and learning action group within the school, and she is involved in delivering training sessions and helping support staff to improve their knowledge of what makes a lesson outstanding.

  Jo has been a Lead Subject Tutor for MEITT for 12 years, and this has very much helped to improve the subject knowledge of art trainees in Mid Essex. She is also the Professional Tutor at Lift Greensward Academy, and is also the ITT Co-ordinator there.

• Dan Chapman
  History LST
  Dan Chapman

  Dan is the Head of History and More Able Lead at Brentwood County High School where he has worked since 2018 after completing his training with Mid Essex ITT. He has had numerous roles within the school since his qualification, including a student mentoring position.

  Dan has spent the last six years mentoring and sub-mentoring trainees in both History and Sociology, and has supported students in achieving highly during their training and ECT years. He finds that the best approach to good practice is to work collaboratively and discuss experiences in the classroom in order to improve skill going forward.

  Dan took over as Lead Subject Tutor in 2023 and is looking forward to continuing to support future trainees at Mid Essex ITT, and play a role in their development to give the same support he received himself.

• Sarah Claydon-Cressey
  Social Sciences LST
  Sarah Claydon-Cressey

  Sarah is Head of Sociology for KS4 and KS5 within the Social Sciences Faculty at Plume Academy, where she also serves on the Quality of Education Team. With experience across both pastoral and curriculum roles, she completed the NPQLTD with the Best Practice Network in 2024, further strengthening her leadership in teaching and learning development.

  For the past five years, Sarah has been an ECT Induction Tutor and a more recently a mentor for Mid-Essex ITT. Her enthusiasm for working with trainees and Early Career Teachers is evident in her supportive, developmental approach and commitment to nurturing emerging talent in education.

  In 2025, Sarah stepped into the role of Lead Subject Tutor at Mid-Essex ITT, and she is excited to continue championing the growth and success of trainee teachers through high-quality mentoring and professional guidance.

• Rob Daniels
  Computing LST
  Rob Daniels

  Robert studied Music Technology at Leeds Metropolitan University graduating in 2008 with a BSc Honours degree, before completing his PGCE through Anglia Ruskin University, graduating in 2014. More recently, he has completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), further developing his interest in school leadership, teacherdevelopmentand whole-school improvement.

  Robert is currently an Assistant Headteacher at Hedingham School & Sixth Form, where he leads on assessment and data alongside wider strategic responsibilities. His teaching background is in Computer Science and IT, and he has taught a broad range of courses including GCSE Computer Science, Level 2 vocational IT qualifications, A Level Computer Science, Level 3 IT qualifications and, more recently, T Level Digital Data Analytics. From September 2026, he is also looking forward to teaching the new Cambridge National in Cyber Security.

  Robert was previously Head of Computer Science at Hedingham School, during which time he also worked as Lead Subject Tutor for Computer Science. He later stepped back from this role to give another Computer Scientist the opportunity to develop their own experience in teacher training with MEITT. When the opportunity arose to return to the role, Robert was keen to do so, havinggreatly enjoyedsupporting trainee teachers as they build their confidence, develop their classroom practice and refine their understanding of effective teaching.

  Robert enjoys working with trainee teachers because mentoring is a genuinely reflective process. It supports trainees as they develop their own professional identity, while also encouraging experienced teachers to keep questioning,refiningand improving their own practice.

• Carly Dobson
  Health & Social Care LST
  Carly Dobson

  Carly is a dedicated educator, bringing 25 years of teaching experience to her current role as Teaching and Learning Leader for Health and Social Care at Greensward Academy. She has been instrumental in raising the profile of the subject through curriculum development and innovative teaching.

  Since joining Greensward Academy, she has taken on various leadership roles, including Key Stage 5 Teaching and Learning Leader in PE, ECT Coordinator and more recently, Instructional Coach on the Steplab Coaching Programme. Carly has introduced new qualifications, mentored early-career teachers across a range of subjects, led CPD initiatives whilst consistently driving improvement in teaching and learning.

  With a strong background in mentoring, Carly is looking forward to supporting Health and Social Care trainees in improving their subject knowledge to aid their professional growth and development.

• Gareth Edwards
  Physical Education LST
  Gareth Edwards

  Garethis a teacher with 24 years' experience. He started at Colchester Sixth Form College after getting his Bachelor of Education degree at De Montfort University. He joined Alec Hunter in 2001 and progressed through various roles including leading the Gifted & Talented programme. He became Head of PE at Alec Hunter Academy in 2006, and has enjoyed the role ever since.

  This experience as a subject leader will enhance the development of the new generation of PE teachers. He has seen through multiple ECTs who have gone on to lead departments or have joined leadership groups in schools, and has found that role rewarding and self-developing in the process.

  This is Gareth's third year as PE LST and is looking forward to supporting the new batch of trainee teachers.

• Emma Hodgson
  Media Studies LST
  Emma Hodgson

  Emma graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA Hons in Media Production in 2011. Whilst at university she undertook a work placement as part of her dissertation research at Ideal World Television channel, and was subsequently offered a permanent role at completion of her degree. She then worked there for the next 2 years in the role of a live studio floor manager.

  In 2013, Emma decided to change career paths and enrolled on the School Direct Teaching programme through The Cambridge Partnership based in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire. From this she gained QTS and a PGCE from the University of Bedfordshire.

  Emma then took her first teaching role at Hedingham School & Sixth Form in July 2014 and has remained there since, being promoted to Leader of Media and Photography in September 2018. The department currently offers GCSE Media Studies, A level Film Studies and the Cambridge Technical in Digital Media.

  Emma is passionate about encouraging independent thinking within students, and enjoys the challenge of mentoring trainee teachers, as it constantly makes her develop and improve her own practice.

• Sheila Greatrex
  MFL LST
  Sheila Greatrex

  Sheila is Head of Spanish at Notley High School and prior to this role was a Head of Year for 7 years at the same school. She is enthusiastic about the opportunities that learning MFL brings to students and believes that our role as teachers is vital in creating enjoyment and enabling success for the students.

  She has always been interested in languages, and after a year spent in France at the age of 18, she pursued a degree in French with Spanish at Newcastle University for which she got a First Class degree. After a few years of teaching English abroad (in Spain, Italy, Chile and Ecuador), she realised her passion was in teaching and she relocated to the north east to train with Teach First. After finishing her two years with Teach First, she returned back down south and studied a Masters in Educational Leadership during her first year at Notley High School.

  Now, she is looking forward to dedicating her time to support trainee teachers and is excited to see them develop and grow.

• Laura Lee
  Maths LST
  Laura Lee

  Laura is the Director of KS4 Achievement at Lift Greensward. Passionate about professional development, she has successfully coached team members to reach their full potential and has collaborated with a range of training providers over the years.

  With over a decade of teaching experience both in the UK and internationally, Laura has held several leadership positions in secondary education, including Key Stage Leader, Deputy Head of Department, Director of Maths and most recently Director of KS4 achievement at Lift Greensward.

  Before transitioning into education, Laura built a successful career in Finance, spending ten years in London's Investment Management industry. She worked in various roles, primarily as a Financial and Data Analyst, where she developed strong analytical and project management skills that continue to inform her approach in education leadership.

  Laura holds a PGCE and a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computing (Management Science).

• Cathy Priest
  Science LST (Chemistry)
  Cathy Priest

  Cathy studied Natural Science at Cambridge University before training to be a secondary science teacher; she worked as anoutstanding science teacher for 20 years in the UK andabroad, taking on leadership roles within departments; KS4 leader, head of Biology and head of Physics.

  She has mentored many trainee science teachers and is passionate about helpingthem reach their potential and understand how science operates as a subject. During her teaching she completed a Masters in Educational Research looking at teacher job satisfactionand well being and had been a team leader for exammarking for the International Baccalaureate.

  For the last 5 years she has worked for the Cambridge based, Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, as the training lead, in the youth and schools' team where she develops and delivers teacher training on integrating science and religion in the school curriculum. This has given her the opportunity to work with 100's of different trainee teachers and 10's of different PGCE programmes.

• Chloe Taplin
  English LST
  Chloe Taplin

  Chloe graduated from the Open University with a BA Honours in English literature and creative writing, whilst acting second in English in a local secondary school. Chloe joined Hedingham school and sixth form in September 2022 where she is now KS4 curriculum lead in charge of Teaching and Learning for English.

  Chloe has a deep rooted passion for all things pedagogy and research that is transferable into the classroom. Sharing her zeal for literature with her students, trainees and ECT, Chloe takes great pride in sharing her skill set and helping shape and develop aspiring teachers.

• Zahra Tyler
  Religious Studies LST
  Zahra Tyler

  Zahra graduated from Sussex University with a Philosophy and Literature BA (hons). She has been teaching RE for over 10 years, and joined Hedingham School and Sixth Form in 2021 as Leader of RVE at Hedingham School and Sixth Form. Before joining Hedingham, she taught at St Mary's Catholic School in Bishops Stortford. Teaching in both the faith and non-faith sector has given her a breath of knowledge of the various ways to RE is taught in school.

  Zahra loves teaching, and sharing her passion for learning with the students in her classroom and was really exhilarated to have the opportunity, when joining Hedingham to completely rewrite and develop the curriculum for KS3.

  Zahra is always interested in pedagogy and the art of teaching, and having had great tutors and mentors in her own early days, training teachers and mentoring has always been a keen interest of hers. She is the ECT mentor at Hedingham and she said: "ITTs and ECTs are the life blood for the future and a it is huge privilege to be part of their training.