As a secondary school teacher and leader, working in education for over 25 years, James has spent his career in a wide range of challenging urban settings. He is an Ofsted Inspector and has extensive experience as a secondary subject leader for English as well as a local authority curriculum adviser.

His senior leadership has focused on the curriculum as Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher, with staff development around teaching and learning as a particular strength. Before joining the Trust, James had two Headships, one in a large inner-city secondary school and another as an interim Head of a special school.