About Us
Meet the Spark Central Team
At Spark Education Trust, our central team is the driving force behind our mission—to ignite potential and transform lives through learning.
We are educators, leaders, and innovators, working together to ensure that every school in our trust thrives and every student has the opportunity to flourish.
We believe in bold leadership, inventive thinking, and courageous ambition. Our role is to support our schools, empower our teachers, and create an education system that truly prepares young people for life.
WHAT WE DO
Our team provides:
Strategic leadership – Setting the vision and ensuring every school delivers exceptional education.
Expert support – From curriculum development to wellbeing, finance to governance, we provide the expertise schools need to excel.
Collaboration and innovation – We work alongside schools to share best practices, introduce new ideas, and continuously improve education.
Together, we ensure that every young person in a Spark school has access to an outstanding, future-focused education.
Our Team
Our Leadership Team
Louise Spellman
CEO
A successful leader with 20 years senior leadership experience, Louise was awarded the Lord Glenamara Most Inspiring Headteacher Award for her work at Conyers School. She believes that excellence is achieved through collaboration and partnership and as such has chaired the Stockton Secondary Heads Group, is a member of the Stockton Strategic Education Board, Redcar and Cleveland Education Board and the Campus Tees Schools Alliance Board. An English teacher by background, Louise knows that improving literacy and communication skills will significantly improve the lives of all children and young people.
Maria Carlton
Director of Primary Education
Maria has extensive experience in primary education. For the last 16 years being a Head and Executive Headteacher in three schools, leading one to outstanding. She was awarded National Headteacher of the Year in 2024 has particular expertise in Early Years, SEND, Initial Teacher Training as well as improving opportunities for disadvantaged pupils. She is a founder member of Campus Tees Schools Alliance strategic board providing initial teacher training programmes.
John Downs
Director of Education
John has worked in the secondary sector for over 30 years in roles including deputy CEO of the 1590 Trust, deputy headteacher, mathematics teacher and team leader. He has particular expertise in mathematics, SEND and sixth form. He also has extensive experience of leading and supporting school improvement in the primary and secondary sectors.
Lindsay Oyston
Director of Education
Lindsay is a qualified teacher of geography and has extensive senior leadership experience in a wide range of leadership roles within secondary education, including previously serving as an Executive headteacher of a large outstanding 11-18 secondary school. Her particular areas of strategic responsibility across the MAT are secondary quality assurance, professional development, attendance and safeguarding.
Katy Riley
Chief Finance and Operations Officer
Katy is a qualified Accountant with over 20 years experience in supporting public sector organisations with financial decision making and procurement. She oversees the finances of the Trust along with operational areas including, digital and IT, estates, governance and HR.
Danny Yates
Director of Education
Danny has extensive school and executive leadership experience, having previously served as Executive Headteacher, Director of School Improvement and Headteacher. He has worked in the secondary sector for almost 30 years and has particular expertise in raising attainment. Danny holds NPQH and NPQEL qualifications.
Support Services Teams
Estates
Learning happens best in inspiring, safe, and well-maintained environments. Our Estates team manages everything from building maintenance and site security to major capital projects and sustainability initiatives. Whether upgrading facilities, ensuring health and safety compliance, or planning for the future, our Estates team creates exceptional learning spaces where students and staff can thrive.
Finance
Our central finance team works alongside school-based staff to provide expert financial planning, budget setting, forecasting, and monitoring, ensuring every school has the resources to deliver excellence. We streamline financial processes, help with procurement, and oversee compliance, so schools can focus on what they do best – teaching and learning.
Governance
Outstanding education is built on strong leadership and accountability. Our Governance team ensures that Spark operates with integrity, transparency, and strategic oversight. We support trustees, school governors, and leaders by providing expert advice on policy, legal compliance, and best practice – ensuring that every school in Spark is well-led, well-supported, and well-prepared for the future.
HR
At Spark, our people are our greatest asset. Our HR team is dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining top-tier talent across our trust. From recruitment and staff wellbeing to leadership development and employee relations, we create a positive, supportive workplace where every member of staff feels valued, empowered, and inspired to succeed.
IT and Digital
Technology is the backbone of modern education. Our IT & Digital team ensures that every Spark school is equipped with the technology, secure systems, and digital learning tools that enhance education. From network security to cloud-based learning platforms, we provide seamless, innovative, and future-proof solutions that keep our schools connected, efficient, and ready for tomorrow. We also work with our education colleagues to make sure that they have access to top quality.
Safeguarding and Attendance
Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Our Safeguarding & Attendance team works with schools to embed best practice in child protection, student welfare, and attendance management. We ensure that every Spark school fosters a safe, nurturing environment, helping students overcome barriers to learning so they can engage, achieve, and thrive.
School Improvement Support
Collaborative Improvement Across Our Trust
At the heart of our approach is the belief that meaningful improvement happens through collaboration. Our central team drives trust-wide partnerships, sharing best practices and fostering high-impact networks that challenge, support, and elevate every school in our community.
Raising Standards Through Expert Support
We are committed to excellence in education. Our Education Team works closely with school leaders to ensure every pupil receives an exceptional learning experience.
Our core support includes:
- Peer reviews and quality assurance across primary and secondary phases
- Curriculum Directors and Lead Practitioners co-developing curriculum and modeling outstanding teaching
- Inclusive education support through trust-wide SENDCos and literacy specialists
Empowering Through Networks
We lead a range of collaborative groups that empower staff and drive improvement across key areas.
Our networks include:
- Leadership and subject-specific groups for primary and secondary phases
- Peer support for Attendance, SEN/D, Pupil Premium, and Behaviour
- Specialist forums for Early Years, Data Managers, and Designated Safeguarding Leads
Leadership Development
We believe that great leadership drives great schools. That’s why we offer tailored, strategic leadership development for leaders at every level.
- Bespoke coaching and support for Senior and Middle Leaders
- Executive leadership support for Headteachers
- Targeted programme of support to ensure that school leaders are prepared for and supported through inspection.
At Spark, leadership isn’t just about titles – it’s about transformation. We help school leaders develop the skills, mindset, and resilience to lead with clarity, courage, and vision.