The support schools need, when they need it, by people who can deliver it...

Supporting our schools in their day to day administration is key in
ensuring that children and their staff perform at their best – where
leaders can lead teaching and the support schools require is only
a phone call away.  Our central team have expertise in finance, HR,
governance, catering and school business administration.
The central team are just that – central to all that we do as a Trust,
for our children.

Our core offer to all schools within our Trust family encompasses…

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OUR SERVICES

The Central Office Team

CHRIS

BRACKEN

GOVERNANCE MANAGER

Katie

ferguson

TRUST ADMINISTRATOR, 
CATERING MANAGER & 

PA to the CEO

Heather Ferguson is the Director of Operations and has supported the CEO with the growth of the Trust from two schools to our current seven. Heather’s previous career was in the banking sector and she moved to education in 2004 with Hurworth Primary, bringing with her sound knowledge financial planning knowledge and skills.

Heather’s background and understanding of the role of School Business Manager put her in a strong position to develop and continuously improve the infrastructure which supports the success of school improvement.

Heather manages the central team of the Trust, and is integral to the successful  leadership and growth of the Lingfield family.

Chris Bracken joined Lingfield Education Trust in 2016 to provide Governance and Data Support to the Trust. He is an experienced education professional and has delivered training for School Governors since 2004. Chris is responsible for the running of all the Trust’s governance activities, as well as ensuring that our schools meet their statutory responsibilities for data submissions.

Prior to joining the Trust, Chris was the Performance and Systems Manager for Darlington Children’s Services - working closely with DfE, Ofsted and other Government Departments.

In 2013, Chris became the Governor Support Manager for Darlington schools and delivers a range of support services to Governing Bodies, including training on school and pupil data, complaints handling, risk management, finance and Ofsted inspections.

Katie Ferguson joined the central team in March 2017 as the Trust Administrator. Katie provides support to each school office on a weekly basis and delivers bespoke training when needed - as well as assisting the FD in financial matters.

Katie is also PA to the CEO and supporting him and the wider Executive Leadership Team.

Katie is also the Catering Manager for the Trust,  meeting with school Unit Managers to share good practice and supporting to address issues as they may arise.

Katie has the responsibility to create menus for each school on a termly basis and organises training for all members of the catering teams.

Kath Hull was recently appointed as Finance Director in September 2018. She is a qualified CIMA accountant with over 20 years of accounting experience, the last 14 of which have been within the Education Sector.

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She has supported schools in their financial management and budgeting across the North East having worked for North Yorkshire County Council, and Northern Education Trust.

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During her career she has also worked as a School Business Manager and gained further qualifications in HR and School Business Management to support her role.

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She is responsible for the financial management and budgets of all the schools in the trust in accordance with ESFA and Charitable Objects guidance. Her role is to ensure that the Trust’s budget is managed effectively and efficiently, and in doing so she supports Heads and Local Governors, as well as the Board of Trustees in the financial performance and reporting of their budgets. As Finance Director she is the lead for the preparation of the Trust annual budget, management accounts and audited accounts.