Successful succession in the EPA
Some career development stories from EPA Trust staff
Jon Jeffries – from Class Teacher to Executive Headteacher
Jon joined the Trust in 2015 as Class Teacher at Freeland Primary School. He successfully applied for a Deputy Head position and quickly made a huge impact in the school. In 2018, following an application process, Jon became the headteacher at another EPA Trust school, St Peter’s, Cassington. His dedicated and professional leadership of the school quickly impacted on school results, as well as successfully steering through an Ofsted and achieving an Excellent grading from a SIAMs inspection in 2022. In Spring 2023 the Trust was asked to support leadership at Fritwell Primary School – ahead of the school becoming part of the Trust in November 2023. Jon became Executive Headteacher of both Fritwell and St Peter’s Primaries.
For me, the EPA is a perfect combination of support, teamwork and challenge. I have appreciated the opportunities the EPA have given me, and now feel privileged to be in a position to support and nurture our rising stars.
Nic Edwards – from Phase Lead to Head of School
Nic became a Phase Lead and Maths lead at Eynsham Primary in September 2018. A year later she was successfully promoted as Assistant Headteacher with responsibility of SEND. Her superb professional and relentless approach to supporting all learners massively impacted outcomes for all children. In 2021, alongside her Headteacher she set up the Early Intervention Hub which provides support for children in their social, emotional and mental health needs. This led to Nic becoming the Deputy Headteacher and Head of the Early Intervention Hub. Her role in the school expanded, leading to huge impacts on inclusion and adaptive teaching. More recently she was successful in becoming Head of School.
The EPA has supported me tremendously on my leadership journey from phase lead to Head of School. I have been given lots of opportunities to develop myself and I am very proud of the Eynsham Early Intervention Hub that I helped to set up.
Faye Tingley – from Class Teacher to Headteacher
After studying for a degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faye trained as a primary teacher. Following time working in a school in central Oxford, she joined Stanton Harcourt Primary as a teacher in 2017. Faye quickly became science leader – and achieved a Science Quality Mark in 2020. As well as subject leadership, Faye became a student teacher Mentor and Early Career Teacher Mentor. This led onto an Assistant Head position at the School where Faye then applied for the Head of School position in 2022. Faye successfully became Headteacher in Spring 2024.
My transition from class teacher to Headteacher has been a profoundly positive journey. Throughout this process, I have felt guided and supported by the network of leaders across the EPA Trust. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in this position and am confident that, through collaboration and innovation, I will continue to be supported in my professional growth.
Lily Barnes – from NQT to SENDCo
Lily joined the Trust in 2018, fresh out of teacher training and became a NQT at Freeland Primary. Her enthusiasm and wonderful relationship with children quickly established her in the school. Her teaching developed – and led to great outcomes for children. Lily took on leadership roles in English and music early on in her career, before training to take on the role of SENDCo at the school in 2021. Following maternity leave, Lily is now successfully combining bringing up a young family with developing her role as SENDCo and now Science Leader.
I will always be incredibly grateful that my final PGCE placement led me to Freeland Primary. I have felt part of a family since day one and have been supported and nurtured to reach my full potential throughout. Without the belief in me from my leadership team, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I continue to admire my dedicated colleagues within the EPA and feel proud of the career I’ve been able to create because of them.
Natasha Howell – from TA to Class Teacher
Natasha joined Eynsham Primary School as a lunchtime supervisor in 2011. She then took a Level 2 Teaching Assistant course and became a TA, working with all the year groups within the school. In 2020, Natasha began studying for her Early Years degree while continuing to work as a TA. She graduated in 2023 and then progressed to undertake her teacher training, which she successfully passed in June 2024. Natasha starts her ECT years in September and is very much looking forward to building relationships with her first class.
Over the course of my time working at Eynsham Community Primary, I have had the opportunity to work with many inspiring colleagues. From the very beginning, I have felt part of a family and truly supported by the leadership team. I will be forever grateful for the support, encouragement, and nurturing I have received, which has helped me reach my full potential. Without the support from my colleagues and the leadership team at Eynsham, and their kind words of encouragement and belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am proud of what I have achieved and am looking forward to starting my role as a class teacher in September.
Jade Kirby – from Class Teacher to Assistant Headteacher
Jade was a class teacher at Freeland Primary School when the Trust was founded in 2014. Jade’s enthusiasm and willingness to support wherever needed quickly established her within the school. Following a period of time living in the United States of America, Jade returned to the Trust at Heyford Park School (another EPA Trust school) as a supply teacher before being appointed as a class teacher and teaching and learning leader. Jade has held many roles whilst at Heyford including Raising Standards Lead and Key Stage 2 Lead. Her dedication to improving outcomes for all children and her previous experience within the Trust led to improved results. In 2023 Jade became the Assistant Headteacher and supported the school successfully through an Ofsted later that year.
The EPA have always been incredibly supportive of my career progression. They recognise achievement and I have had the privilege of working alongside some very inspirational members of the leadership team. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me next.
Andy Binnington – from NQT to Head of Secondary
Andy began his teaching career as an NQT at Bartholomew School, where his passion for science and dedication to education quickly became evident. During this time, Andy took on several early leadership roles, including CPD Hub Leader, Head of Key Stage 3 Science, and Gifted and Talented Coordinator, gaining a strong foundation in educational leadership.
Seeking new challenges, Andy moved to a different local school within another Trust, where he took on the role of Head of Science and Associate Assistant Headteacher. These experiences further sharpened Andy's leadership abilities, culminating in a position as Director of Key Stage 5 at a school in West Berkshire. Despite these transitions, Andy maintained strong connections with senior leaders in the EPA Trust, regularly exchanging ideas about pedagogy and leadership, which provided mutual benefits and fostered continued professional growth.
In 2022, Andy was thrilled to return to the EPA as Head of School at Heyford Park School. Embracing this exciting opportunity to re-join the Trust, Andy now leads the secondary phase of the school with enthusiasm, bringing together valuable experiences gained from previous roles and schools to benefit both the students and the wider EPA community.
I’ve always valued the open dialogue and support within the EPA Trust. It’s an incredible opportunity to return in a leadership role where I can contribute to a community I’ve admired and worked alongside for years. I’m excited to shape the future of Heyford Park School and support the growth of both students and staff.
Jess Selfe – from NQT to Director of Reading
Jess began her teaching career at Bartholomew School in 2010, where her commitment to student growth and educational leadership quickly emerged. Over her time at the school, she has held a variety of roles that have shaped her approach to teaching and leadership. These include KS5 English Lead, Hub Leader, supporting the Duke of Edinburgh program, and serving on the Student Council’s Environment Committee and KS2 Literacy Transition Lead. Each of these roles helped refine her leadership skills and deepen her engagement with both students and colleagues.
Jess’s most recent role as Literacy Lead, a position she is truly passionate about, saw her spearheading a range of impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing literacy across the school. These included implementing a successful tutor time reading program, making reading an integral part of daily school life. She also played a key role in embedding reading as a central focus of the School Development Plan, ensuring that literacy became a whole-school priority. Additionally, Jess has taken on the responsibility of engaging with parents through Information Evenings, delivering essential messages about the importance of reading in students’ educational journeys, fostering a stronger school-home partnership.
Her experience in these roles, combined with her time as Second in Department in English, has culminated in her current position as Director of Reading Across the EPA. In this role, she continues to build on the foundations of her literacy strategies, working to inspire both students and staff across the Trust to embrace reading as a key to success.
I’ve always valued the supportive and collaborative culture at Bartholomew and within the EPA Trust. Leading literacy here has been a deeply rewarding experience, allowing me to inspire a love of reading while working alongside passionate colleagues. It’s an incredible opportunity to contribute to such a forward-thinking community, and I’m excited to continue shaping literacy initiatives that empower both students and staff across the Trust.