Mrs E Brooks
CEO
I am incredibly proud of Coombe Academy Trust where I have led as our CEO since June 2021. I am passionate about developing research based practice, supporting school improvement work and developing inclusive practice.
Together we help ensure trust staff comply with complex regulations, legislation and achieve best value so that every penny is spent towards inspiring our pupils to attain their full potential.
I am a FCCA qualified accountant of over 35 years, with experience spanning the private, public and charity sectors. My career started in international banking, where I spent several years working in systems development and programming before deciding to study for a professional accountancy qualification.
I joined Coombe in April 2013 as the Director of Finance, a newly created post, after the creation of the academy trust, consisting then, of just the two secondary schools. Over the next few years my role was pivotal to the onboarding of the three primary schools joining the trust, ensuring all financial, budgeting and employee data was accurate at the point of inception and over time fully integrated into the Trust’s financial systems and processes.
I fulfil the role of Chief Financial Officer for the Trust, responsible for
Providing advice on strategic financial issues
Accurate and timely financial reporting
All aspects of financial management including but not limited to payroll, taxation, resource allocation and budgetary control, strategic and operational financial planning
Compliance
Procuring, developing and maintaining financial, budgeting and payroll systems.
I lead and manage a team of ten with various areas and levels of expertise. Together we help ensure trust staff comply with complex regulations, legislation and achieve best value so that every penny is spent towards inspiring our pupils to attain their full potential.
I am incredibly proud of Coombe Academy Trust where I have led as our CEO since June 2021. I am passionate about developing research based practice, supporting school improvement work and developing inclusive practice.
As a passionate classroom practitioner, I am particularly interested in developing strong teams and leaders, building a positive and inclusive school culture and empowering others to drive continuous improvement.
It is a privilege to work in education; every day is different and I love being part of a team that makes a difference to the lives of children and young people.
He is passionate about inclusion and specialises in developing teaching and learning through creating a reflective culture, and rigorous and innovative Continuing Professional Development, in particular using video lesson study.
Charlie regularly draws on his extensive experience to help overcome challenges and enjoys leading teams to success.
I lead the Trust AI Strategy group and I am excited to support the trust to be at the cutting edge of education technology. I am dedicated to supporting the needs of boys and to helping them navigate their way to successful futures.
I am delighted to be working in an environment where education is supported by technology. My professional experience has been dedicated to enhancing IT within schools, with a passion for effective systems and digital accessibility.
I work closely with colleagues from the other schools in the Coombe Academy Trust to our mutual benefit and my focus this year has been on developing our Innovative Leader programme from middle leaders across our Trust.
I strongly believe in the power of partnership—when schools work together, they can achieve remarkable outcomes for pupils, staff, and the wider community.
I am passionate about fostering an empowering working environment, within our Trust, where people feel a sense of collective responsibility and belonging.
By collaborating with colleagues to grow and thrive in their roles, we enable them to bring out the best in themselves and our pupils.
I joined the central team of the Coombe Academy Trust as part of my IT apprenticeship and I’ve had an incredible journey ever since.