Transforming Futures Trust have appointed Matthew Barnes as their new Chief Executive. Matthew is a qualified teacher and has extensive senior management experience as a head teacher, executive head teacher, school governor and executive leader in a large multiacademy trust. He holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship, National Professional Qualification in School Inspection, and is a qualified forest school leader. His most recent role was with OFSTED as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors, having formally worked as the Specialist Adviser for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). He has also worked with central government developing SEND inspection strategies. During his time as Director of Education at Plymouth CAST - a multi academy trust of thirtyfour Catholic schools and one nursery - he supported 10 schools to improve their OFSTED grades, including three that were removed from requiring special measures. As a governor of a federation of four special schools in West Sussex, Matthew utilised the chance to collaborate with leaders in his own school. Alongside the leaders at the specialist provisions, he helped develop an outreach service aimed at supporting mainstream schools to successfully include pupils with social emotional and mental health needs, autistic spectrum disorder and similar needs. Matthew said: “I am very pleased and excited to be joining Transforming Futures Trust. The leadership team and all the staff have done an excellent job over the last two years making real progress in the education we offer to our young people. I want to build on this and continue to improve the outcomes for our children, young people and their families.” Dr Clive Grace, OBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees said “We are very grateful to Gavin Gracie, our outgoing CEO who has helped us make significant progress in the last two years. We are now extremely pleased to welcome Matthew. His extensive and specialist experience will be invaluable to us as we take our next steps to further develop and improve the Trust”. Matthew lives in North Devon with his wife, Aimee and his three children, Amelia, Arthur and Thomas. Both Matthew’s sons have special educational needs and benefit from specialist education through their education, health and care plans. Matthew enjoys running, playing his guitars, watching cricket and reading.

Read More