Karen is an experienced school leader and is headteacher at Wilfred Owen Primary School. As a qualified SENCO, she understands the needs of individuals, is dedicated to creating inclusive environments and values community connections. Karen employs a research-based approach to relationships inspired by Paul Dix, focusing on effective relational and behaviour management strategies while fostering inclusivity.

She collaborates with local and national groups to support children’s needs and is currently developing a community hub to strengthen these ties. Through her expert consultation, schools receive comprehensive audits of their practices alongside tailored support to enhance their overall approach. Karen has received positive feedback, such as from Greenacres Primary School, praising her clear strategies and helpful guidance.

Her commitment ensures all students feel valued and supported, making Karen an asset to our trust.

Impact:

Through my work as strategic lead for Inclusion, we have aligned the approach to developing positive relationships and managing behaviour with clear strategies and a policy in place to support this. We also now have a support system in place for our schools to request advice on managing children who are struggling with regulation.

Initial discussions have taken place to plan the set-up of a resource provision based at one of our trust schools.

Teaching and learning is at the heart of everything we do across Empower Schools. Through our dedication to being well-informed, as a trust, we have embarked upon a National Qualification in Leading Teaching and Learning. We believe in investing in professional development to ensure all staff are equipped to deliver high-quality education.

My role involves working with our Director of Education and leaders to collaborate, support and learn together. As a team of strategic leads and a whole trust, we want to ensure our young people learn well and achieve well, acquiring necessary knowledge, skills and attributes applicable to the modern world. There is value in everyone, and teaching and learning is driven by a team of experts, utilising the professional talent in all schools to work together, share and disseminate good practice. This means leading and co-ordinating innovative and evidence-based practice to ensure consistency in providing high-quality learning and outcomes.

Teaching and Learning Impact:

Through collaboration across the trust, defined teaching and learning principles have been established

• A clear monitoring framework has been created based upon a set of agreed principles
• A talent directory across the trust is growing with networks developing in EYFS, Maths, English, Science, History and soon to be more
• An ‘Empower Trust’ teaching and learning policy

– All teachers in Empower Trust schools and some LSAs have embarked on a professional learning journey to achieve a National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching, resulting in consistent, high-quality professional development

As Strategic Lead for Achievement across Empower Trust, Sarah North plays a key role in improving pupil outcomes and ensuring every child reaches their full potential. She collaborates closely with the Director of Education, fellow strategic leads and headteachers to shape and deliver strategies that drive equity, excellence, and sustained improvement.

In addition, Sarah works with headteachers and senior leaders to analyse performance data, identify trends, and co-design targeted interventions that close gaps and accelerate progress. She also mentors leaders, supports professional development, and helps embed robust systems for monitoring and evaluation.

Her work helps ensure achievement is not only measured by outcomes, but by the growth, confidence, and aspirations of every learner.

Sarah’s work directly supports Empower Trust’s mission: to ensure our young people receive the best education, the best enrichment, and everything they need to flourish and thrive.

Beck is the Strategic Lead for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Empower Trust and serves as the Headteacher at Woodfield Infant and Nursery School. With the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination, she demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering inclusive education for all children.

Beck collaborates closely with families, outside agencies, trust leaders, and other professionals to identify and implement tailored support strategies that address individual needs. She actively engages with parents to ensure their voices are heard, facilitating partnership-based approaches.

Beck provides guidance and training to staff on best practices for supporting pupils with SEND, striving to create an environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Her proactive leadership involves regularly monitoring progress and adapting interventions to ensure the highest standards of support.

Through her dedication to SEND, Beck plays a vital role in shaping trust policies that enhance inclusivity, ultimately empowering children to achieve their full potential.