Meet the Zenith Team

• Ella Brace
  Operational Support Officer
  Ella Brace

  With over 10 years of administrative experience in the healthcare industry, I joined the Trust in 2024. In my role, I provide administrative and operational support to the entire organisation, including the CEO and senior staff. As a recent mother, I deeply appreciate the Trust’s impact on its students, and I am proud to contribute to that mission.

• Leigh Christensen
  Director of HR
  Leigh Christensen

  Prior to joining the Trust I had a 20 year career in recruitment and compliance before moving into educational HR. As HR director, I enjoy supporting the schools in all elements of HR and payroll, as well as overseeing recruitment across the Trust. My particular passion is for staff well-being, development and benefits, I am excited about the programme the Trust have already implemented and exploring new initiatives for the future.

• Claire Day
  PA to the CEO & Governance Professional
  Claire Day

  I have worked in education since 2005, both as a personal assistant to headteachers and CEOs. I also have extensive experience as clerk to governing bodies and trust boards and currently provide additional support to our Trust in relation to governance matters.

• Steve Durkin
  Headteacher - Castle View School
  Steve Durkin

  I started my career in teaching in 2004, training as a History teacher. Previously, I had a career in business in the private sector at senior executive level for a FTSE 100 company. I teach History, but I have taught a variety of Humanities subjects as well as Business Studies. I have held leadership roles in a variety of schools, serving different communities and I became Headteacher of Castle View School in 2016. I have a Masters in Teaching & Learning. I teach at our school as I believe it is important to maintain my skills as practitioner, my subject knowledge, and pedagogy. It is an aspect of my role that I very much enjoy and it keeps me rooted in my practice and the classroom, invaluable as a school leader.

• Sean Goodwin
  Director of ICT Services & Data Protection Lead
  Sean Goodwin

  I have worked in IT management within the education sector for 10 years, and joined the Trust's central team in October 2019.

  As the Director of ICT Services, I take pride in implementing innovative technologies to enhance the learning environment for both students and staff. With a particular interest in cyber security, I leverage my knowledge and experience to lead the Trust's digital strategy.

• Sarah Hanmore
  Chief Financial Officer
  Sarah Hanmore

  As a qualified accountant I have over 20 years of experience in Finance. I have moved from the private sector into Education in 2018. I find the role of Chief Financial Officer exceptionally rewarding and very much enjoy working with our dedicated school finance teams.

• Andy Hodgkinson
  Chief Executive Officer & Accounting Officer
  Andy Hodgkinson

  I started teaching modern languages in 1994 and then became an Advanced Skills Teacher for Essex. Having held various senior leadership positions, I became a secondary Headteacher in 2006 and then CEO for a small Trust in 2017. As a National Leader in Education I have supported many schools and recently completed an MBA in Educational Leadership. I still try to make time to teach in my role as CEO.

• Simon Holliday
  Headteacher - Castledon School
  Simon Holliday

  I've been part of the Castledon community since January 2011 and have served as Headteacher since September 2018. During my time at Castledon I helped establish the Sixth Form, which opened its doors in 2017.

  I believe in providing a well-rounded education that nurtures the talents and interests of our students.

  I am committed to developing pathways that lead to further education and develop opportunities for employability and careers for pupils with SEND. By equipping our students with the necessary skills, we empower them to thrive in adulthood and seize the opportunities that come their way.

  Creating a safe and inclusive community is a top priority for me. I strive to foster an environment based on mutual respect and understanding, where every individual is valued, supported, and celebrated for their unique qualities.

• Alan Mechem
  Director of Marketing & Communication
  Alan Mechem

  I joined Zenith after 16 years of working in education. As a parent I know the importance and value of good home/school relations and, as such, it is an absolute pleasure to oversee communication for the Trust as there is so much to share and celebrate across the schools. My knowledge and experience of being involved in school leadership complements the strategic output of the Trust, as well as my degree and wider understanding of the media.

• Tammy Nicholls
  Headteacher- The James Hornsby School
  Tammy Nicholls

  I started teaching Physical Education in 2001, and have worked across 6 different schools, gaining a multitude of experience. I have had a number of senior leadership posts, including becoming a Specialist Leader of Education. I have a passion for supporting all students and meeting their needs, and became an expert in Safeguarding and student welfare, leading on a number of Mental Health and Well-Being projects across the Trust. I was appointed Headteacher at the James Hornsby School in March 2021.

• Cristina Portoles
  Headteacher - Laindon Park Primary School
  Cristina Portoles

  I first became a teacher in 1992 because I thought that working with children was far too much fun and far too rewarding to even be considered a job! I was lucky enough to be able to teach across the Primary stage, from Early Years onto Year 6, before I became Headteacher for Laindon Park Primary School & Nursery in 2009. This gave me the first-hand experience to understand and value the different stages of education and learning. What matters to me the most To ensure that staff, children and parents have the best opportunities possible at our school, and that through our values of being aspirational, confident, resilient, and happy, we never stop learning and look to the future with curiosity, and the determination and skills to make a difference.

• Russell Sampson
  Director of Estates
  Russell Sampson

  I have worked in Facilities Management for the past 15 years, and specifically within the education sector for the last 11 years. As the Director of Estates at Zenith, I am responsible for building compliance, building projects, and the overall estates vision. I have particular interest in sustainability, and pride myself on solving problems.

• Kate Smith
  Operational Support Officer
  Kate Smith

  With nearly 20 years of recruitment and HR experience, I have worked within the Trust since 2018. I provide HR Admin and Payroll support to the Zenith HR Director and to the HR Managers within the schools, as well as overseeing recruitment advertising and responses across the Trust. With three young children, I know how important education is, as well as a good work life balance. I am proud to be part of a Trust that puts the welfare of the children at the heart of all they do.

• Daniel Steel
  Headteacher - The King John School
  Daniel Steel

  I started teaching in September 2000 in Newham, East London. I have held leadership positions in a variety of different schools, all with a wide range of contexts. This has allowed me to learn a great deal about how schools should perform and help to deliver an excellent all-round education for all young people. I find the role of being a Headteacher incredibly rewarding and I am always trying to find new ways of ensuring our school becomes the very best and improves the life chances of everyone.