Jess Knighton

Jess Knighton is the Year 1/2 class teacher, Numeracy and Science Subject Leader and member of the SLT at Pinxton Village Infant Schools Federation. There are two infant schools in the federation with one Headteacher and one Governing Body.  The Headteacher is also the Director of Synergy Teaching School.
She has been part of data analysis, leading staff and cluster meetings, driving whole school development and being a mentor for trainee teachers.
Jess began her teaching career 7 years ago, first working in a large Primary School in Derbyshire as a Year 3/4 teacher and then Reception teacher.
For the last 3 years Jess has been at Pinxton Village Infant Schools where she was given the opportunity to develop her career by becoming part of the Senior Leadership Team.
She is now a Specialist Leader of Education. She is actively supporting schools with assessment and maths.

Andrew Williamson

Andrew Williamson is the Deputy Head at Buxton Junior School, and has worked across the primary age range in Derbyshire, Derby City and overseas. He is currently leading within the school on teaching and learning, assessment and mentoring two NQT’s.
Andrew has lead on a number of areas in recent years, including the redesign of the teaching model with a focus on outstanding teaching and learning, pupil-centred differentiation via challenge based learning, an implementation of a phased approach to writing and maths in order to accelerate progress for boys, peer to peer learning, implementing a lesson study approach to CPD, and has designed and implemented a full assessment system with a small cluster of schools. 
Since starting his career in inner city Derby, Andrew has also coordinated ICT, Maths, Literacy, PE and DT, has led on behaviour for learning, assessment, recording and reporting and has been key stage 1 coordinator.
In his role as SLE, Andrew looks forward to supporting school leaders in implementing their own school improvements initiatives, bringing experience of implementing a number of whole school initiatives in a range of contexts.

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Ben Wray

Ben Wray was appointed Deputy Head Teacher at Barrowhill Primary Academy in September 2016. Prior to this, he had worked in two Derbyshire schools in various roles including Acting Deputy Head Teacher, Senior Teacher, Key Stage Two Co-ordinator and Class Teacher. Ben has had experience in co-ordinating a range of subjects across schools including maths, science, Foundation subjects and P.E. In his current role, he regularly acts up as Headteacher several days per week supporting his Headteacher in her role as Executive Primary Lead for the Cavendish Learning Trust. He is the lead for Safeguarding, science, global education and foundation subjects. 

One of Ben’s passions is mentoring and coaching colleagues, NQT’s and Trainee Teachers to better and improve their classroom practice. He has worked with many trainee teachers throughout his career and has developed excellent relationships with Sheffield Hallam University. He has lectured trainee teachers at the University, working closely with University Link Tutors. Ben believes in sharing outstanding practice and he’s strongly committed to collaborative working across schools. He’s had experience in leading cluster CPD days to improve practice in schools. Ben also taught in Kenya for 3 consecutive years and he brings his own personal experiences into the classroom to create an awe-inspiring curriculum for pupils.