Our Headteachers
Neil Wilson
Head Teacher - Oak Wood Primary School
I am honoured to introduce myself as the Headteacher of Oak Wood Primary School, a thriving school which is a proud member of the Central England Academy Trust (CEAT).
I started my career teaching in Secondary mainstream in 2009 in Coventry heading the Business Studies department and later the Psychology and Enterprise faculty utilising my Joint Honours Business and Psychology degree and Psychology Post Graduate qualification background.
Having developed a keen interest in understanding Autism and working with children with a range of SEN, in 2014 I moved into the special education sector educating children and young people aged 4-19 with a wide range of special education needs including profound, severe and moderate learning disabilities, autistic spectrum condition and complex learning needs. I am passionate about removing barriers to learning for all SEN learners, and I thoroughly enjoy working in special education.
I have a wealth of experience in curriculum development, and school improvement having worked in various roles in senior leadership for schools that were on rapid journeys to improvement. This includes in particular curriculum design and implementation with regards to accreditation routes and curriculum pathways to meet the specific needs of a widening range of abilities and needs. I have a particular interest in Autism.
My leadership approach exemplifies the CEAT vision and values of Collaboration, Fairness, Aspiration and Trust. It is a genuine privilege to lead and work with a team of highly skilled and professional staff at Oak Wood Primary School, where we ensure that all of the children are afforded the same opportunities to thrive as any other child regardless of the challenges they might face. We are ambitious for all of our learners, passionate about removing any barriers to their learning, and make it our upmost priority that they feel safe. I am devoted in my pursuit to provide the highest quality education, bespoke to pupils’ individual needs, in an environment where they are nurtured to develop and grow and reach their full potential.
Suzanne Whiston
Head Teacher - Oak Wood Secondary School
I am delighted to be the headteacher of Oak Wood Secondary School which is a member of the Central England Academy Trust (CEAT). This is a welcoming school which provides education for children and young people aged 11-19 with a wide variety of talents and needs. The pupils’ EHCPs identify a broad range of SEND and the members of staff and team pride themselves in offering a range of educational experiences to value, motivate and inspire our young people. We were inspected by Ofsted in September 2023 and received a Good judgement. Ofsted stated: ‘The school has high aspirations for pupils’ next destinations… All pupils learn skills towards developing their independence.’ Our young people follow an ambitious curriculum which is carefully planned with high expectations in meeting pupils’ academic and special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Our members of staff are deeply committed to the school community and the families of our pupils. They are highly skilled and know how to nurture each individual based on their strengths and interests, promoting a range of outcomes in preparation for the next steps, be that in education or elsewhere. We work closely with parents, carers and wider professionals to ensure that our young people can learn in a happy and safe environment and we are committed to safeguarding.
Oak Wood School’s curriculum is destination driven with a focus on developing the skills that our pupils need for independence, empowerment, employment and life. We work closely with Oak Wood Primary School to ensure that skills are built upon over time and that our pupils have a smooth transition into secondary school and feel supported to grow into confident and happy adults.
Michael Gannon
Head Teacher - Higham Lane School
Over the years, I have had the honour of wide range of leadership roles. I have served as an Acting Headteacher, bringing a stabilizing and progressive force to the schools I’ve worked with. My extensive experience as a Deputy Headteacher in a high-performing school has also provided me with invaluable insights into the intricacies of educational leadership.
One of the high points of my career was my role as Head of Sixth Form in one of the top-performing schools in the country. This experience allowed me to witness the transformative power of education first-hand and see students develop from children with so much potential into pillars of society and the future leaders of this great country. My journey in education has been all-encompassing and it has included pastoral roles, serving as both an Assistant Headteacher and Head of Year, underscoring my commitment to the holistic development of students. Additionally, I have substantial experience in curriculum development, having led curriculum areas at senior leadership level and been an extremely successful head of department.
My educational career has been an international one, with experiences spanning three different countries: England, France, and the USA. It all began as a Modern Foreign Languages teacher, and I must confess, French holds a special place in my heart. I’ve had the privilege of living and working in France on two separate occasions, further deepening my connection to the language and culture. With a degree in Economics and French, I am equally passionate about both subjects. Nelson Mandela’s words resonate deeply with me – “Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.” I come from a humble background, where education served as the key to unlocking doors that seemed closed to me. It was the catalyst that allowed me to access a better life, defying the odds that fate seemed to have in store. My life mantra is simple yet profound – it’s all about changing lives and making this world a better place, one child at a time. As the Headteacher at Higham Lane School, I am excited to embark on this journey with the wonderful staff, students, and parents and carers, and working hand in hand with CEAT, I aim to create a nurturing environment where every child’s potential can flourish. Together, we will continue the important work of transforming lives through education and making a lasting impact on our world.
Kirstie Robinson
Head Teacher - Higham Lane North Academy
At Higham Lane North Academy, all that we do will be rooted in excellence. I am a firm believer that high achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations, and for the children that attend HLNA, this guarantees them the very excellence in their education that they deserve. HLNA holds a complete commitment to being fully inclusive. Regardless of each child’s starting points, our strong belief is that ‘everyone is included, everyone belongs,’ and every child will have a champion on their journey to excellence through secondary education. This supports our vision that ‘everyone will excel through hard work and high levels of care and support.’ With the privilege of leading our brand-new secondary school in Nuneaton, comes responsibility, and I take this very seriously in order to deliver what our young people deserve from their education.
I am a very experienced senior leader, having been Deputy Headteacher for Quality of Education at Higham Lane School, and Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning at Higham Lane School for a number of years. During this time, I was responsible for student outcomes in progress and attainment, and this strategic leadership helped to secure the highest levels in the school’s history, being within the top 6% of state schools in the country. Beyond curriculum, and teaching and learning, I have led on all aspects of secondary leadership in areas such as behaviour and personal development, and was responsible for Higham Lane School securing its World Class bid. A real passion of mine within education lies within the classroom; I still very much enjoy teaching English and supporting children beyond the classroom, always seeking to inspire others within education to fully recognise and utilise the impact that they have working with children.
Being local, I am very passionate and invested in ensuring that our young people from Nuneaton receive the very best education that will enable them to lead fulfilling and successful lives. I look forward now to developing a partnership between Higham Lane North Acadamy, our pupils and their families, and the wider community, to deliver an excellent education for them.
Diane Compton-Belcher
Head Teacher - Michael Drayton Junior School
I have had the privilege of serving as Headteacher at Michael Drayton Junior School for over 10 years. During this time, the school has secured several positive Ofsted inspections and has continued to thrive as a place where children are supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve their very best.
In 2020, I established the Nuneaton Education Alliance, which brings schools together across the town to collaborate, share best practice, and drive improvement for all. I also organise professional development opportunities for staff across Nuneaton, lead school improvement projects both within Warwickshire and beyond, and provide coaching and mentoring for Headteachers. In addition, I sit on a number of strategic boards at county and regional level, contributing to the wider education agenda.
I am a strong advocate of ethical leadership and a firm believer in the power of collaboration. My motivation has always been to improve outcomes for all young people in our town, with a particular passion for championing our most vulnerable learners.
At Michael Drayton, we remain committed to delivering a first-class education through a broad, balanced, and enriched curriculum. Together with my dedicated team, I am proud to maintain high expectations, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, both academically and personally.
Darren Barrow
Head Teacher - Watling Meadows Primary School
I’m very proud to introduce myself as the first Head Teacher at the brand-new Watling Meadows Primary School. I feel very privileged to be part of the Central England Academy Trust and to be given the opportunity to shape things literally from the ground up. It has always been my ambition to lead a new school, so to have that come to reality is very exciting.
I have a wide range of experience in education and at the Local Authority. I have been Head Teacher of three schools in Warwickshire. My first was an Infant School, which I got on my 30th birthday! I then moved to a small Primary and finally a larger Primary with Nursery and a Family Centre. At my last school we achieved Teaching School Status and was one of only three Primary School’s in Warwickshire to do so. This meant we supported other schools, led on Teacher training and provided training and development for other schools in the area. I was also a National Leader in Education and was deployed to support other schools.
I then went to work for the Local Authority in a very similar role supporting schools who needed it and schools in financial difficulty. During this time, I was able to work with a variety of schools, predominantly in North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth. As such I have become very attached to the area and love the diversity and history behind the district. Seeing so many schools having such a positive impact on children and families was a big draw for me to come back into headship and I am so glad to do so.
I am passionate about the child being at heart of everything that we do, every decision we make and every question we ask. Education is so important in enabling every child to succeed. Education means so much more; it is about those memorable experiences, developing curiosity and creativity, celebrating every individual’s achievement and milestone and not standing still.
You will see that our logo is based on four representations of heart, hand, plant and star. This means that the school will be at the heart of the community. We will support and guide all our children and families. We will nurture and care for everyone. Finally, we will have the highest of aspiration and ambition for our children and community. You have our absolute commitment to live those values in all that we do.
I look forward to welcoming you to our school. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions you might have.
