Our Team

CEO
Rob Gooding

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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

Rev James Saunders

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

Lead Clerk

Nicola Tyers

Lead Premises Officer
Luke Lucas

Admissions

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. He is immensely proud of his wife and children.

Meg Lucas

Meg Lucas is the Headteacher of Cottesmore Academy and the Deputy CEO of the Rutland Learning Trust. Meg 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, Headteacher and Executive Headteacher. 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 Buccleuch Academy, an all-through academy.  She later left as the Head of Years 2-4, to further her career in Olympic Primary School 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.   In 2020, Karen-Kelly began to work for the Trust ‘s central team part-time as a School Improvement officer.  This then led to Karen-Kelly working full-time for the Trust’s School Improvement Team in 2021 as a Lead Practitioner.  Karen-Kelly is 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.

Anna Arthey

Anna Arthey is the Central Team Administrator and Admissions coordinator for the Trust. She joined Cottesmore Academy in 2017 and then the central team in October 2021. Anna has three children that have attended school within The RLT. She loves running, spending time with family and exploring new places

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 Headteacher at Monksmoor Park CE Primary School in Daventry, which she opened in 2018.