The people behind the Trust

As Headmaster at The Beacon, Paul was a driving force behind the creation of the PSB, which grew from the Beacon Certificate of Achievement and the Moorlands Diploma. Since then he has been Chief Education Officer for Repton’s international schools, a reporting inspector for ISI and Vice President (Education) for the Nobel group of schools in Singapore. Now retired, Paul also serves as a governor for Perrott Hill School, Somerset.

Having recently retired as Headmistress of Queen Anne’s School in Berkshire, Julia — also trained as a psychodynamic counsellor — has joined the LST as a Trustee. Long interested in psychology and neuroscience, in 2013 she established BrainCanDo, a charitable company focusing on educational neuroscience.

Rick runs a highly successful accountancy firm, Smart Accountants, with particular expertise in small businesses and the charity sector. He has a keen interest in education and is a great supporter of developing skills and their impact on young people’s success in the workplace.

Having initially taught in prep schools and at Oxford University while researching a Doctorate in Modern Languages, Chris has spent most of his career in senior schools — at Uppingham, as Second Master at Marlborough and as Headmaster of Bradfield from 2015. He is a governor at Twyford and Theale Green, Chairman of the Rugby Group, and becomes Executive Head of Clifton College.

Victoria has always been passionate about education reform, inclusion and neurodiversity. Diagnosed with dyslexia aged 9, she read Geography at Cambridge before launching her own chain of delicatessens, then earned an Outstanding PGCE and focused on working with neurodiverse children. She is now Co-Founder and Managing Director of Connections in Mind, and a well-known public speaker and co-author.

Joel is International Director at Wellington College International, with nearly 25 years’ experience leading UK independent schools in England, China and the Middle East, including three Headships. A science graduate with a Master’s in Educational Leadership, he is a qualified schools inspector and has been closely involved with the PSB for more than a decade.

Duncan Sinclair returns to the group as a Trustee of the Learning Skills Trust, bringing extensive experience in education leadership and a deep understanding of the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB). Having previously been Head of several PSB schools, Duncan has seen first-hand the impact of a skills-based approach to education and the value it brings to pupils as they prepare for the next stage of their learning. Duncan has also previously served as Chair of the LST Heads’ group, supporting collaboration between schools and helping to shape the development of the PSB community. His experience as a school leader and his commitment to developing confident, capable and independent learners continue to provide valuable insight to the work of the Trust.

Peter was Head of St Hugh’s School and Liverpool College Prep prior to becoming Headmaster of the Junior King’s School Canterbury in September 2000. He retired in July 2017.

Ian is Provost at Coventry University Group, its chief academic officer, with more than three decades at Coventry — from lecturer in engineering through many roles. He has 25 years’ experience working with schools as a governor or trustee, and over twenty years as a Justice of the Peace in Coventry and Warwickshire.

As Deputy Headmaster, Academic at Yateley Manor, Keith was involved in the PSB from its inception, establishing basic principles and leading the first Year 8 pilot. He was also part of the steering group that adapted these principles to the Year 6 model, and has a particular interest in the use of technology to support teaching and school administration.

Nigel started teaching at Stowe, gaining further experience at HMC schools in South America and at Cheltenham College, and was a Head for 28 years. Accredited by the NSPCC, he is executive consultant to the Independent Safeguarding Service and advises governors and senior leaders on safeguarding, and is a board member of AGBIS.

Robert is Director of the New College School Foundation, having recently retired as Headmaster of the school. He has held senior leadership positions in prep and senior schools and taught English in both the maintained and independent sectors. His expertise includes inspections, music and drama.

Andrew began as an English and Drama teacher before headships at Oakwood School, Chichester and Bishopsgate School — one of the first schools to introduce the PSB. After retiring in 2015 he volunteered with an educational trust working with inner-city children excluded or at risk of exclusion, experiences that convinced him a skills-based curriculum is the way forward.

James is Deputy Head, Teaching and Learning at Bishopsgate School, with a range of experience across the independent and state sectors. An ISI inspector, he is always happy to talk through the benefits of skills-based learning to anyone who will listen.

Dr Jayne Symons is Head of Pre-Prep at Edgeborough School, Farnham — winner of the TES Early Years Setting of the Year 2025. With an MEd in Child Autism, she is passionate about inclusive, developmentally rich environments and grounding early-years practice in neuroscience and self-regulation.

Jo has been Housemistress, Head of Year, Second in Science, Director of Teaching and Learning and is now Deputy Head Academic at Edgeborough Preparatory School. She has taken a prep school through to a through-school and now works as a PSB consultant, offering training and helping run the meetings programme.

With over 20 years’ leadership at respected schools including Wellington College, Uppingham, St Paul’s (São Paulo) and Repton, Joe has a deep understanding of the challenges facing school leaders. His LST work grew from the skills-development framework he began at Monkton Combe. An EMCC-accredited coach-mentor and ISI inspector, he founded Equal Partners Consulting.

John is Head of History and Latin at West Hill Park School and has worked as PSB Lead during maternity cover. He has taught in the independent and maintained sectors, been Head of Boarding for six years, and is passionate about skills-based development that helps children face the future with confidence.

Nikki is Deputy Head (Academic) and Head of English at The Beacon, having taught English and Media Studies to A Level for over 20 years. She holds an MA in Education Leadership and Management, is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and has introduced initiatives such as the BBC Young Reporter day and the Write Path event.

Simon is Senior Deputy Head at The Beacon, a large 13+ prep school at the heart of the PSB since its inception, where he established the ‘Beacon Excellence’ teaching-and-learning agenda. Previously Senior Deputy Head at St Anthony’s, Hampstead and Headmaster of St Teresa’s, Princes Risborough, he is also an ISI inspector.

Will headed straight into education after university, with roles including Drama Teacher and Assistant Housemaster, Year 4 and Year 6 teacher (including in New Zealand) and ESOL teacher in South Korea. He is currently Deputy Head (Academic) at Forres Sandle Manor School.

Trudi studied Sport & Exercise Science before a PGCE in Primary Education with MFL. Her NPQML research explored embedding metacognitive thinking skills in the classroom, leading her to the PSB. She spent three years leading PSB at The Gregg Preparatory School and now works at Castle Court while supporting the LST as a PSB consultant.

Caroline is PSB Lead at Tranby and brings over 20 years’ experience, including leadership in English, Humanities and whole-school improvement. She successfully embedded the PSB at Tranby, leading staff training and building a culture where skills development is valued by pupils, staff and parents. A former Specialist Leader of Education, she began her career in IT sales in London.

Kirsty is Director of Studies and PSB Lead at St Andrew’s, Berkshire, an ISI inspector and author of TEACHER Coaching. She has taught in state and independent, prep and secondary schools.

Louise is Head of Religious Studies at Millfield Prep School. She is passionate about high-quality Religious Studies, Worldviews and Philosophy education, and has worked with Somerset SACRE to help rewrite the county curriculum in line with the National Entitlement for RE, with a focus on worldviews.

Rachel is Assistant Head and PSB Lead at Finton House, where she has overseen the whole-school rollout of the PSB and developed a skills-focused curriculum, including approaches to self-assessing and tracking skills. She leads induction for ITTs and ECTs, is Maths Coordinator, and has taught in Richmond and at The British School in Colombo.

Rachel Peel is a PSB Leader, Learning Skills Trust consultant and auditor, with extensive experience supporting schools to embed the PSB framework and develop a culture of reflective, skills-based learning. She has been instrumental in the development of the PSPQ for Year 8 and the Mini-PSPQ for Year 7, helping pupils reflect on their learning skills, recognise their progress and articulate their personal development. She is passionate about ensuring young people understand not only what they are learning, but how they learn, and how they can continue to grow as learners. Rachel’s teaching career has spanned international schools in the Netherlands, state schools and prep schools in England, and she has previously held the role of Head of Mathematics. She works closely with schools on the meaningful implementation of the PSB, with particular expertise in whole-school approaches to skills, staff development and the Year 7 and 8 PSB programmes. A coach in training, she has a particular interest in developing the whole child through a focus on attitudes, skills, knowledge and executive functioning — and her practical experience, thoughtful approach and commitment to helping schools create confident, independent learners make her a valued member of the LST consultant team.