CEO
Rob Gooding

Head of Inclusion 
Katie Towers

Head of Teacher Development 
Karen-Kelly Boothby

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Headteachers

Glenn Fraser - Ketton CE Primary

Steve Cox - Oakham CE Primary School

Daniel Alfieri - St Nicholas CE Primary
Megan Lucas - Cottesmore Academy

Diane Rowland - Langham CE Primary

Megan Davis - Exton and Greetham CE Primary

Sonia Schofield - Whissendine CE Primary

Sally Gooding - Empingham CE Primary, Great Casterton CE Primary 

Julia Exton - Uppingham CE Primary

Lou Coulthard - Polebrook CE Primary, Glapthorn CE Primary 

Chair of Trustees

Richard White

Vice Chair of Trustees

David Evans 
Adrienne Holland

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CFO
Graham Kirby

Trust Business Manager - Operations and Finance

Anna Raine 

Trust Business Manager - HR and Finance

Lucy Burgin

Governance Professional

Nicola Tyers

Lead Premises Officer
Luke Lucas

Admissions, Social Media and Administration

Karen King

Rob Gooding

Rob has been working in education for nearly thirty years. In that time he has been a class teacher, Lead Practitioner, Leading literacy specialist, English consultant and Local Authority Advisor. He has successfully lead his schools through three consecutive outstanding Ofsted and SIAMS inspections.  Rob has been a School Improvement Partner, National Leader in Education  and worked for Ofsted as an Inspector for a number of years. Rob is the CEO of The Rutland Learning Trust and began his Rutland leadership journey at Whissendine over 18 years ago. Rob loves sports, reads widely and loves chocolate and sweets. 

Meg Lucas

Meg Lucas is the Headteacher of Cottesmore Academy. She has been teaching in schools for nearly thirty years as a class teacher, leading literacy teacher, coordinator of numerous subjects over the years, Deputy Headteacher and Deputy CEO.
Meg's passion is to ensure every child in her care gets the very best teachers with exciting enriching opportunities. Her particular interests are in the Arts and reading.

Megan Davis

Megan has worked in schools for 25 years, after studying music and education.  Her passion for music (especially singing) is one she has shared throughout the trust.  She previously worked in Hertfordshire before moving to Rutland in 2006, starting at Exton in 2007.  Since then, she has been a class teacher, senior teacher and headteacher – she truly believes and lives by the school rules “We are kind, we are honest and we forgive.”  Her ethos that all children can succeed and that nothing is impossible with the right support, permeates the curriculum.  Beyond Exton, she has been a county moderator and is a SIAMs inspector.  Out of school, she is a keen walker and music lover; she can often be found in the holidays with a good book or a cross stitch, or with her husband and two children.

Julia Exton  

Julia Exton joined Uppingham C of E as Headteacher in 2016 and the school joined Rutland Learning Trust in 2019.  Previously she has worked in Lincolnshire schools for 17 years with a variety of school based roles from class teacher, SENDCo to Deputy Head.  She has also worked as a moderator for Lincolnshire Local Authority. Julia has a passion for developing each child as an individual and nurturing their own talents.  She believes in an inclusive education for all and enjoys working with families.  She works closely with the local community to bring about positive change for the children and families of Uppingham. Being happy is a core value of Mrs Exton’s and this is something she brings to school every day! 

Steve Cox

Steve Cox is the Executive Headteacher of Oakham CofE Primary and The Parks School.  He qualified as a teacher back in 1999 and since then he has been a class teacher, Subject Leader, Key-Stage Lead, and Deputy Head.  He has worked in five different schools, across three different local authorities.  Steve places significant importance on positive relationships and works hard to support staff and child development and wellbeing. Steve is passionate about inclusion and giving those with additional needs every opportunity to succeed alongside their peers.   Out of school Steve enjoys sports, music, socialising with friends and spending time with his family.  

Glenn Fraser

Glenn is the headteacher of Ketton CE Primary School. Prior to becoming a teacher in 2008, Glenn spent 32 years in the Royal Navy. Glenn has been at Ketton since 2009 and became the head in 2013. Glenn strongly believes that having a calm and welcoming environment is a vital prerequisite to allow all children to thrive and learn. This is at the heart of the vision at Ketton. Outside of school, Glenn is a very keen cyclist and loves good coffee and cake shops.

Dan Alfieri

Daniel Alfieri is the headteacher of St Nicholas CE Primary School in Cottesmore. He has been part of the Rutland Learning Trust team for 12 years and has worked across the trust as a class teacher, subject lead, senior leader and school improvement officer. His ambition is for all children to reach their full potential in a happy and safe environment and to support all children to develop in the widest sense so that they are happy and positive members of society.

Daniel has a keen interest in the performing arts and has performed in a number of musicals in lead roles. He has always brought this passion into school as he feels that singing, dancing and acting enables children to express themselves creatively, improves mental health and is great fun!

Another personal interest of Daniel’s is the use of technology in schools. He is determined to ensure all children are able to benefit from the many positives associated with technology, whilst also equipping children and families with the knowledge and skills required to keep children safe and happy online.

As a leader, Daniel has high expectations of himself and the team that he works with. He is always mindful of the whole team’s workload and wellbeing and these are always carefully considered when decisions are made.

Lou Coulthard

Lou Coulthard is the Executive Head of Glapthorn and Polebrook CE Primary Schools. Prior to this, Lou worked as Associate Head and subsequently as Head of School from June 2017. Lou originally joined Glapthorn in September 2006 as a Class Teacher, and has played a key role in the development of the broad and balanced curriculum. Lou is passionate about 'opportunity for all' and together with the Rutland Learning Trust, is committed to striving for excellence at Glapthorn CE Primary and Polebrook CE Primary Schools.

Sally Gooding

Sally Gooding knew she wanted to be a teacher from the age of 14 and in 1996 fulfilled that ambition.  During her career, she has had the privilege to teach children from EYFS through to Year 6 and still believes teaching; while a challenge and exhausting, is the best job in the world!  During this time, she has taken various leadership roles, met her husband, had two children and became the Executive Headteacher of Empingham and Great Casterton CE Primary Schools in August 2017.As a child, Sally was lucky enough to have teachers that inspired her with a love of learning and an education rich with knowledge, skills and positive learning attitudes.  Education gave her the life chances and opportunities to live a happy, fulfilled and successful life.  This is her inspiration and pursuit for all of the children in her care.  Sally believes that through education, we not only make a difference to the individual child but shape the future for us all.

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”  Nelson Mandela

Sonia Schofield

During her working life, Sonia has been a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service and has worked with pre-school children. She joined Whissendine CE Primary School 18 years ago. During this time, she has had many different roles from Teaching Assistant, Cover Supervisor, Class Teacher, Senior Teacher, School Improvement, a Local Authority KS2 Moderator then Headteacher. Sonia’s areas of educational interest are English, Assessment and Languages. She is happily married with two grown-up children who both attended Whissendine CE Primary School. Her interests include walking, listening to music and cooking.

Diane Rowland

Diane is the Headteacher at Langham CE Primary School

At the age of 14, Diane chose Child Care as an option in school. Her work has been centred around children ever since. After qualifying as an NNEB (Nursery Nurse), Diane ran a Child Development Unit for 3 to 5 year old children with a range of needs. It was job full of joy and led Diane to commence teacher training. Once qualifying as a teacher she enjoyed teaching positions over a period of 8 years in Corby and Peterborough schools and then spent a further 10 happy years at Whissendine School, undertaking leadership roles such as curriculum lead, teaching and learning lead and acting Head of School.

Whissendine partnered with Catmose College and launched a teaching school alliance of which Diane became primary director. This role included creating and delivering training courses for primary and secondary school teachers across Rutland. 8 years ago Diane became the Head Teacher at Langham CE Primary School. She feels privileged to lead such a wonderful school and cannot see herself working anywhere else. Within this time she has also squeezed in a marriage and 2 children, a couple of rescue lurchers, 2 campervans and many music festivals!

Karen-Kelly Boothby

Karen-Kelly has been working in education for nearly 15 years.  She started her career in Kettering at an all-through academy.  She later left as the Head of Years 2-4, to further her career in Wellingborough as the Director of Learning for KS2 and Maths Lead.  In 2017, Karen-Kelly had her only child, and following her maternity leave, she joined Ketton C of E Primary School.  During this time, Karen-Kelly was an English SLE leading English Networks for the Rutland Teaching Alliance and was a Local Authority KS1 & KS2 Moderator.   Karen-Kelly is the Head of Teacher Development across the RLT and also a Visiting Fellow for the Ambition Institute and delivers national training for the Early Career Teachers Programme. Karen-Kelly’s areas of educational interests are English, assessment and professional development.  Karen-Kelly grew up in Wales and is proud of her Welsh heritage; she looks forward to her trips back home to enjoy the beautiful Welsh coastline. 

Hazel Glassford

Hazel has been teaching in Rutland for 18 years across a range of different age groups and schools.  I have spent some time specialising in maths education wider curriculum development and sport. I have worked for the East Midlands Maths Hub since 2016 and spent several years working with trainee teachers and teachers at the start of their career.  I currently teach Year 5 at Ketton, lead the Trust wide sports programme and development of working partnerships with local schools.  Outside of school I enjoy running, hanging out with my family and day trips to watch sports/music or comedy. 

Graham Kirby

Graham Kirby is the CFO of the Rutland Learning Trust. He leads the finance team and financial management of the Trust. He has been working in school financial management since 2001 after obtaining a degree in business studies at Staffordshire University. Graham has worked with many schools in other parts of the country that face differing financial challenges, which benefits his current role. He has held different positions in school governance over the years. Graham also works as an auditor performing internal audits outside of the Trust. Graham is interested in school finance reporting and software and loves film, sports, coffee and cake.

Lucy Burgin

Lucy Burgin is one of the two Trust Business Managers with particular responsibility for HR and finance. She has worked within schools for nearly 17 years, primarily as Office Manager at Langham CE Primary School. She joined the central team in February 2021. Lucy has two grown up children of whom she is very proud. She loves cooking, reading and walking her two dogs.

Anna Raine

Anna Raine, Trust Business Manager since Jan 2021 and Office Manager at Empingham Primary School for 12 years.  Previously a buyer for Next plc I have 2 grown up children who both attended RLT primary schools. I enjoy travelling and discovering new places of interest.

Katie Towers

Katie discovered her love of learning and teaching when studying for her BMus degree at a music conservatoire in London. 
Although thoroughly enjoying playing violin in symphony orchestras, it was clear teaching would become her vocation.  Over the past 20 years, in between marrying and having two children, she has worked across both Primary and Secondary phases and in maintained schools and Academy trusts. Her leadership experiences comes from various roles in two 4-18 schools, including Primary Head and whole school acting Headteacher.  As a qualified SENDCo, she is passionate about supporting children with additional needs and often inspects SEN provision in schools through her work as an OFSTED inspector.  Katie is also a qualified Forest School Leader and believes outdoor learning should be an integral part of all schools' core offer. Currently, Katie is currently the RLT Head of Inclusion.

Vicky Ottway
With over twenty years’ experience in both community and Church of England schools in Leicestershire, Vicky brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to education. Her early experiences in a rural school in the Lake District, where learning was enriched by the natural landscape and a strong sense of community, inspired her to pursue a career in teaching.

She holds a Primary Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) qualification, equipping her to lead mathematics with confidence and expertise. Her work as a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) and curriculum lead across a multi-academy trust has seen her support schools in developing and strengthening their curricula. A strong advocate for the role of sport in education, Vicky was proud to receive the County Award for Outstanding Contribution to School Sport and Well-being in the previous year. Most recently, she served as Head of School, where she led a dedicated team focused on pupil achievement, care, and character development. She firmly believes that a strong sense of belonging is fundamental to a child’s success—when pupils feel connected to their school community, they are nurtured to flourish and aspire. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, and paddleboarding—though she admits to falling in more often than staying up!
 

Sonia Adams
Sonia is a class teacher at Uppingham C of E Primary with over 25 years of experience. She began her career in Gloucestershire, teaching in both rural and inner-city schools across single and mixed-age classes. After moving back to Rutland with her family, she joined Uppingham C of E, where she has taught Year 2 through to Year 6. Sonia has held a range of leadership roles, including subject leader and SLT member, and has contributed significantly to curriculum development. Her passion for education and commitment to school improvement have been consistent throughout her career. She recently joined the Rutland Learning Trust as a Key Stage 2 Lead Practitioner, where she supports teaching and learning across schools within the trust.

Natalie Weller
Natalie has been working in eduction for 20 years across all primary phases from Nursery through to Year 6. During that time she has worked in schools across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland specialising in the early phase of primary school. She is an experienced EYFS Lead and is passionate about working with the littlest of our children in their magical first years. She believes that children learn best when they are having fun and thrive in an environment where they enjoy coming to school and are motivated to learn. Natalie joined the RLT in September 2023 and her educational interests include early reading and professional development. Outside of school Natalie is an avid reader, loves going to see live theatre shows, especially musicals and enjoys travelling with her husband, two daughters and dog.

Paul Lucas
With over 35 years of experience in construction, site management, and school facilities, Luke brings a wealth of practical knowledge and leadership to his role as Facilities Manager at the Rutland Learning Trust. He began his career as a builder and hard landscaper, honing his skills in the construction industry for more than two decades before transitioning into education settings. He served as a Premises Officer in a Leicestershire school for six years, before joining the Rutland Learning Trust in the same role. Over the past nine years, he has grown with the Trust and now oversees site operations across all 13 schools. In his current role, he leads on major building projects, ensures compliance and safety across the estate, and supports schools in creating environments where children can thrive. A dedicated professional with deep roots in the Trust community, Luke’s two children both attended RLT schools. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf and spending time outdoors.

Rob Wyness
With over 20 years of experience in retail and sales, Rob transitioned into education and has since worked across all primary year groups, with a particular focus on Key Stage 2. He has held leadership roles in Science, Maths, Computing, History, Geography, and Curriculum Development, and are currently a certified pedagogical coach. Passionate about classroom teaching and continually inspired by research on effective teaching and learning, Rob brings both expertise and enthusiasm to his role as RLT Research Lead.

Laura Larratt
Laura began work at a local after-school club during sixth form and volunteering whenever possible. After completing a joint honours degree in Music and Education Studies, she remained at Cambridge to complete a PGCE before working across a range of schools. Now in their 15th year of teaching, and 10th year at Exton and Greetham, Laura has taught all year groups, with particular experience in Key Stage 2. Her main areas of interest include music, mathematics teaching—especially the challenges of mixed-age classes with SEND, taught through a mastery approach—and developing inclusive classrooms with a strong SEN focus.