Central Services Team

Kirsty Osman

CEO

Kirsty Osman is a passionate and collaborative leader with over eleven years of senior leadership experience as Headteacher and Executive Leader. She is dedicated to educational equity and has a proven track record in strategic planning, quality assurance, and nurturing talent. Kirsty’s leadership is values-driven, solution-focused, and committed to building a network of schools that excel and offer opportunity for all. She has achieved the NPQEL qualification and brings expertise in HR, health & safety, and staff development, with a strong moral compass and commitment to stakeholder engagement.

Tricia Gurney

CFO

Tricia Gurney brings over fifteen years of experience as a Business Manager in education, with expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and operational leadership. She is dedicated to maximising resources for children’s learning and wellbeing, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance. Tricia is a collaborative leader, committed to continuous learning and mentoring, and actively involved in her local community. Her financial leadership is locally rooted and globally inspired, ensuring decisions are contextually relevant and informed by best practice.

Darren Lennon

Director Of School Flourishing

Darren Lennon is a passionate and values-driven educational leader with extensive experience across social care and education. With eleven years of experience in social care and a background in primary education, Darren has held a range of leadership roles, including Headteacher of Primary and Secondary PRU and Specialist SEMH Schools. He is committed to promoting inclusion, improving outcomes and ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to flourish.

Darren has also served as Team Lead for the Behaviour Support Advisory Team (BSAT), leading borough-wide support in behaviour, exclusions and suspensions, and working collaboratively with schools to strengthen inclusive practice. As a serving Ofsted Inspector and holder of the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL), he brings a wealth of experience in school improvement, quality assurance and strategic educational leadership. His approach is rooted in collaboration, early intervention and a strong belief in the power of relationships, ensuring that schools, staff and young people are supported to achieve their full potential.

Julie Marriott

Director of School Development

Julie Marriott is a values‑driven school improvement leader with extensive senior leadership experience, including successful headship where she secured exceptional outcomes and built highly effective systems for curriculum, teaching, inclusion and professional development. She brings deep expertise in curriculum design, SEND systems, safeguarding, governance and evidence‑informed practice, alongside specialist knowledge in English and mathematics leadership. Her advisory work spans leadership development, self‑evaluation, curriculum reform, Ofsted readiness and system‑wide collaboration, complemented by wider responsibilities such as governor leadership and participation in local inclusion panels. Julie’s leadership is grounded in ethical principles, strategic clarity and a strong belief in collaborative improvement, with an unwavering commitment to ensuring every child benefits from an ambitious, inclusive and enriching education.

Charlotte Beaven

Finance & Operations Manager

Charlotte has worked in the education sector for over eleven years, gaining experience through a range of roles including School Administrator and School Business Manager. This background has given her a practical understanding of the operational and financial challenges faced by schools.

As Finance and Operations Manager, Charlotte supports schools across a variety of areas including financial management, budgeting, business operations, project coordination, and service implementation. She works closely with school leaders and staff to help ensure resources are managed effectively and processes run smoothly.

With a collaborative and pragmatic approach, Charlotte is committed to supporting schools to operate efficiently and sustainably, enabling leaders and teachers to focus on achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.