We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Gareth Harris as our new Education Director for the North, with responsibility for academies across Liverpool, Runcorn, Stoke, Grimsby and Derby.
Gareth brings significant leadership experience and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people. He has served as principal of Beamont Collegiate Academy in Warrington since 2019, where he led significant school improvement as part of The Challenge Academy Trust.
His career began as an English teacher at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in Hackney, before becoming Subject Leader of English and Literacy at The City Academy Hackney, where he was part of the founding team. He later served as Assistant Vice Principal at the Co-op Academy Manchester, before moving into headship and wider school improvement roles across the north-west.
Prior to beginning his career in education, Gareth was an apprentice footballer with Swansea City Football Club. When his aspirations in professional football came to an end at the age of 19, he chose to pursue a career in teaching, a decision that has since shaped a highly successful journey in education leadership.
In his new role, Gareth will work with leaders across seven Ormiston schools to deliver high-quality education, strengthen leadership capacity, and raise attainment.
His key priorities will include driving improvements in behaviour and culture, embedding strong approaches to reading, and ensuring disadvantaged pupils are supported to achieve their full potential.
Tom Rees, Chief Executive Officer of Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gareth to Ormiston. He brings a wealth of experience as a successful principal and system leader and his values strongly align with ours. Gareth’s appointment further strengthens our education team and will add real capacity to our work in the north. I am excited to see him working with our schools and leaders to ensure we continue to provide great teaching, every day, for every child.”
Gareth Harris, Education Director for the North at Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “Ormiston has a strong moral purpose and a clear commitment to inclusion, equity and raising aspirations. I was drawn to the Trust’s values and its ambition to deliver transformation in the north.
“The phrase that resonated with me most is that ‘Ormiston works where the challenge is greatest’ – this aligns very much with my career in education to date. I am excited to get started and to work alongside our talented leaders and teachers to deliver the very best for our communities.”