The Global Spirit Ed Team
Directors and the Core Team
Kevin Holland
CEO
Kevin is an international athlete, who still has running at the heart of his life and wellbeing. He built this passion into his early career becoming Director of Sport in Twickenham in 2008 before moving across in the Learning School Trust to be Director of Learning and Community at Ipswich Academy.
In 2015 he joined NCC as Education Advisor moving in 2019 to be Operations Director at Premier Education the largest provider of wrap around care and enrichment in the UK. In 2021 he joined John working now as CEO and Co- Director of Global Spirit Ed but also lecturing at the University of Bolton, Sunderland, and East Anglia.
Kevin’s educational passion is centred around positive psychology and encouraging schools to build a coaching climate for students and teachers. He is a fully trained coach and programme deliverer for Mindspan. Kevin writes “A school culture is about values and beliefs. Our collaborative spirit is born out of a commitment to the diversity of our teams and our work is focused on releasing the unique potential in each school to reach their goals. Our work is to bring capacity and challenge and be part of each journey. We are partners not consultants.”
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:07983118763
- Email:kevin@globalspirited.com
Professor John Baumber
Director
At present John is Co-Director of Education for Global SpiritEd. In 2023 he was appointed as Visiting Professor at the University of Sunderland . John started teaching in central Leeds in 1971 working in the centre of Leeds before becoming a deputy at Garforth Comprehensive. He became Head of Prudhoe Community High School in Northumberland in 1987 becoming a passionate advocate of community schooling and seeing schools as the hub of their location’s school was named by OFSTED as one of the nation’s five most successful schools in England and was visited by Queen Elizabeth 2nd In 1998 he moved to be head of one of the country’s largest school – Rivington and Blackrod High School in Bolton very quickly taking an executive head role across three high schools closing one and restarting one failing schools.
He has been a CEO of a MAT in London and served as head of schools in Stockholm and Manhattan. His school in Sweden in Saltjobaden was for two years the highest achieving school in Sweden. He was also responsible for developing the National Training programme for the introduction of the National Diploma working with the SSAT.As CEO he rebuilt three large high schools.
So, after over 40 years of leading schools, over the last 8 years he has been supporting a number of schools in a range of countries to achieve these ambitions and goals. He acts as a thought partner and coach and his aim is to help build capacity in the school, so their work is sustained. John said “ It is a privilege to co-lead Global SpiritEd CIC and help build a profession of outstanding teachers and leaders, who can help young people be best prepared to shape their world rather than be shaped by it.
- Phone:07981118475
- Email:john@globalspirited.com
Steve Eastaugh
Director Mindspan
Steve has over 20 years of operational experience holding positions such as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer leading departments across organisations including marketing, sales, customer services, research & development & HR. His core work is a chairperson and business partner for Global Spirit Ed CIC.
He is also Managing Director of Global Spirit Ed’s Partner Mindspan. He supports a range of other businesses as a franchising expert, but his previous substantive role was as COO of Premier Training and Operations Manager Operations Manager for Norwich City Community Sports Foundation
Since the age of 15 Steve has coached sports teams & individuals using his passion for coaching and training in both his business & personal life.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:steve@mind-span.co.uk
Gavin Drake
Director of Mindspan
Gavin Drake is a Director of Mindspan, which is a shareholder of Global SpiritEd CIC. Gavin is the innovative mind behind Mindspan, a groundbreaking initiative focused on enhancing mental performance and productivity. As the founder, he has harnessed his passion for understanding the human mind to create strategies that empower individuals and organisations to achieve their full potential. Gavin’s extensive background in psychology and neuroscience, coupled with his personal experiences, has shaped his unique approach to cognitive enhancement. With a firm belief in the limitless potential of the human mind, Gavin continues to push boundaries in the field of mental performance, helping others unlock their own paths to success. His work at Mindspan is testament to his commitment to fostering a world where mental agility and resilience are not just admired, but actively cultivated.
- Phone:TBC
- Email:gavin@mind-span.co.uk
Julian Grant
Director
Julian Grant is headteacher of Shevington High School in Wigan. He has held the post for over ten years and has seen the school move from being an average performing undescribed school to being an excellent school and first choice in the area. Julain has been an inspector for OFSTED and a national leader of Education supporting schools across the region to improve their performance. Shevington is a Global Research School and is a constant recipient of professional visitors who are keen to see their unique personalised model where all students and staff are coached on a weekly basis.
Julian is a Director of Global Spirit Ed and retires from his post in the summer to work directly with the Global Spirit Ed team
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Jgrant@shevingtonhigh.net
Prashant Yadav
Administration Executive
Prashant is Global Spirit Eds Administration Executive and acts of the Directors’ personal assistant. Based in India he manages the logistics of work in the region. Prashant is a graduate in Biotechnology from Sikkim University and has a high level of IT skills including building websites
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Prashant@globalspirited.com
Global Spirit Partners
Dr. Antonio Vance
Partner
Antonio Vance is Skyrocket’s Chief Schools Officer. Dr. Vance joined Skyrocket with only one intent in mind: to remove the barriers for underserved students by ensuring leaders and teachers are adequately prepared to hold up a high bar of expectations for their community. As a former teacher, school leader and Executive Director for a charter network, he is well versed in the challenges that schools face in their journey to achieve outstanding student outcomes. He is equally versed in how to overcome those challenges in practical, no-nonsense ways. In his spare time Antonio enjoys being active (Indoor cycling, tennis), geeking out over science news, and traveling to new destinations .Previous to his present post he was Executive Director of Great Oaks Charter School in Manhattan and School Leader at Mastery Charter Schools in Philadelphia
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
Dimas Fabregas
Partner
Dimas Fàbregas (1968, Barcelona) is a teacher specialist in Art Education: Visual. He also has a degree in Art and a postgraduate degree in Museums and Education from the University of Barcelona. Director of La Immaculada School in Vilassar de Dalt and trainer and advisor in globalized learning and educational transformation processes.
Member of the Team of Trainers of MAGNET Alliances, member of the Coordinating Commission of The Futures of Education promoted by UNESCO Catalonia and facilitator of the Educational Transformation Laboratory of the Department of Education of the Goverment of Catalonia
He also collaborates with the educational services of the Picasso Museum and the Joan Miró Foundation of Barcelona.
He has participated as a teacher in the Higher Intellectual Abilities postgraduate course at the University of Barcelona and in the Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at the Central University of Catalonia.
He has published articles in catalana n spanish education magazines such as Infancia, Aula de innovación educativa, Perspectiva escolar or Guix. He is co-author of the book Competences: an opportunity to rethink the school (Edited by the ICE of the UAB) and has also collaborated in the publication of Alliances for educational success: Guidelines for developing a Magnet project.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:dimasfabregas@gmail.com
Stuart Woodburn
Partner
Stuart is Director of Primary and Special Education at Venturers Trust in Bristol serving one of the most under resourced areas of the city. Stuart began teaching in 2007 as Head of English at Aston Fields Middle School ion Bromsgrove, before moving to Morden Mount Primary School as Deputy Head in 2015. He joined Venturers Trust in 2018and as a director overseeing six successful primary schools, three of which achieved commendable results in recent OFSTED inspections. Additionally, he holds the position of Head of the largest special school for autistic children in Southwest England, Venturers' Academy. His strategic vision and commitment is to fostering inclusive learning environments which have consistently resulted in positive outcomes for both mainstream and special education settings.
Stuart come to education after significant volunteering in poverty alleviation. He worked as a missionary in Zambia supporting the building of orphanages and schools with the local community and is a Trustee of Grassroot Communities which supports teenagers and young adults across the south of Bristol.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Stuart.woodburn@venturerstrust.org
James Royal
Partner
ames is Executive Head at Blackrod Church Primary School. He embarked on a transformative journey as a school leader, successfully developing a thriving and well-subscribed school provision. Starting from the challenging position of having the worst surplus place deficit in the borough, James played a pivotal role in achieving sustainable growth and recruitment. This achievement was underscored by three consecutive good Ofsted inspections, two top-grade SIAMs inspections, and a very successful outcome in a third SIAMs inspection in September 2023.
In addition to school leadership, James served in 4 Executive Headship roles in the North West delivering a range of desired outcomes, ranging from pupil and staff transfers, ensuring smooth transition, stabilising leadership and governance, adjusting expectations and culture, mentoring and supporting Head teachers and senior leaders– the impact of all being to transform provisions from vulnerable to secure and beyond.
Beyond individual school leadership, James has held key positions in educational consultancy, chairing a local TSA, and serving as Executive Officer and School Improvement Lead at MAST (Methodist Academies and Schools Trust).
In addition to these roles, James is currently the Chair Governors at a Shevington High School and serving as a Visiting Fellow with the Ambition Institute and Global Spirit Ed delivering, facilitating and assessing NPQs, and contributed to training courses at ECM, Schools Direct, and Sunderland University.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:royalj@blackrod-church.bolton.sch.uk
Huda Sraieb
Partner
Huda is an Arabic curriculum consultant, books developer, and teachers’ coach. She has been head of Arabic at Nun Academy in Jeddah and at the Arabic Department IN Australian School in Sharja. She has a long experience of teaching in Bahrain. AIS Sharja, and the UAE. Huda is passionate about tackling the low literacy levels in the MENA region and ha s a unique and successful,, strategy for lifting up standards in Arabic.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Huda.sraieb@gmail.com
Dr Nicholas Garrick
Partner
Nicholas is passionate about connecting theory with what happens on the ground; innovation has to be aspirational as well as pragmatic. Currently, he leads a partner education consultancy specialising in curriculum and whole school change (Lighting up Learning), as well being Lead Researcher for the star* Scheme charity which making a difference to young people with adversity through sport.
Over the past 23 years, I have helped shape education and charity programmes around the world from coaching programmes in Jamaica and Pakistan, Social Action Projects in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to curriculum development in Taiwan and Zambia to teacher training in Colombia and Montenegro. Wherever I am, my ambition is the same, to be a catalyst for change and empowering others in making a difference.
I set up Lighting up Learning in 2009 and have kept the team purposefully small and focused. We are composed entirely of experienced teachers and school leaders and continue to work in schools. I do not believe in being a SWOT Team, I believe in developing partnerships over time and being on the ground with people. Nicholas is moving Lighting up Leanring to be a CIC and creating a group structure with Global Spirit Ed
As a Grounded Theory specialist, I focus on visualising research (from teacher training to sports coaching) using Diagrammatic Modelling.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Nicholas@lightinguplearning.com
Catherine Taylor
Partner
A charismatic and highly successful acclaimed Education professional with over 20 years leadership experience Cathrine is passionate about and specialising in organisational development including, Strategy, Culture and Professional Development, all under pinned by a deep commitment and drive towards promoting valued opportunities for ALL regardless of life circumstances and a dedication to creating collaborative environments where people value learning from one another through collaborative exploration, peer review and an intrinsic coaching ethos.
She has Executive Headteacher of the Aspire Federation since Sept 2015 previously being head of one o the partner schools since 2008. Both schools in the foudnatu9n are deemed outstanding by OFSTED. She has been National Leader of Education and chair of Wigan’s school improvement board.
Catherine received the Life time Achievement Award : Pearson National Teaching Awards (2020)
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Catherinetaylor26@outlook.com
Andrea Atkinson
Partner
Andrea is a specialist in Inclusive Leadership and Practice, Developmental Inclusive Practice, Whole School SEND and Safeguarding reviews; she also can provide specialist coaching and leadership support, teacher training, inclusive curriculum development, Whole School SEND and QFT&I. She as been a Special School Head Teacher, Executive Leader with over 35 years’ experience in education. Passionate advocate for social inclusion and effective safeguarding
Andrea has many years’ experience in setting up and developing highly successful multi-disciplinary teams within schools and across UK and international networks, to identify and remove barriers to learning and meet the needs of all learners.
She provides bespoke intervention, training, coaching and support to leaders, teachers and practitioners in schools; team/network development and efficacy with leaders of trusts, academy groups and education providers; delivering positive and effective change management, improved outcomes for children at all levels of ability and need.
She has extensive experience of working with partners, leaders and teachers across jurisdictions - UK, Europe, the US, India and the Middle East. She is a Visible Learning Plus Trainer, IQM Ambassador, Consultant Principal, Visiting Teaching Fellow (ICEE - University of Bolton)
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Andrea.atkinson@kunskapsskolan.com
University Partners
Dr. Duncan Cross
Partner & Fellow
Duncan is a Global Spirit Ed Fellow and is Head of the School of Education, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a National Teaching Fellow, a Fellow of the Society of Education and Training, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors, and hold QTLS. He has worked in Education since 2000 across a broad range of settings including:
The Further Education and Skills sector
• International Education
• Teacher Education
• Medical Education
• Professional Recognition and Teaching Awards
In previous roles h has been the Head of Education, Academic Lead for Quality and Student Experience, Business Manager and Lead Academic for Refugee Healthcare Professionals Education, and I was also the Lead Manager for a Frontline NHS service. His PhD was on Refugee Healthcare Professionals, International Medical graduates and curriculum design. I have supervised a number of PhD students to completion on a range of topics including professional/medical education, international education, curriculum development, humour in education, music education, inclusive practice, early years education, resilience in education and the use of technology.
He is an an examiner for a number of doctoral students.
He has been on a number of national and international advisory panels for education, medical education professional recognition. He currently sits on the Advance HE expert advisory group for Fellowships and accreditation and was also one of the leaders of the pilot fellowship scheme for the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL).
He is visiting Professor at the University of Law.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Duncan.cross@sunderland.ac.uk
Dr. Kate Duffy
Partner
Kate is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Sunderland and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She has been leading and teaching programmes in Education Studies for over 15 years. Her current role within the University is divided between teaching and leading research activity in the School of Education (SoE). Her subject specialisms and interests are philosophy of education, critical thinking and inquiry, formative assessment, qualitative research paradigms and relational pedagogies. She is teaching students from undergraduate to professional doctorate study. She is a former 14-19 educator, working at the intersection of compulsory and tertiary education and led ‘Increased Flexibility’ programmes to re-engage young people with their studies and contributed to staff development and teacher training programmes as well as curriculum design. The other significant part of my role at the University is Research Lead for Initial Teacher Education (ITT). This involves supporting colleagues in the School of Education (SoE) with their research activity and convening the Centre for Research in education (CRE) Public Seminar series. The series showcases the wide range of research that is undertaken by the SoE at its different stages of development. Within this role I also work with partners such as Global SpiritEd and support the Global Research Network which is committed to exploring ways to personalise education and increase student agency.
She received the University of Sunderland, Vice Chancellor Teaching Fellow Award in 2023
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:Kate.duffy@sunderland.ac.uk
Partner Organisations
Nurture International
Realsmart
Mindspan
University of Sunderland
Future Action
EcoVida
IALS
Global Spirit Ed Fellows
Steve Hall
Fellow
Steve Hall
Fellow
Steve is Deputy Director of School Improvement at the LIFE Multi-= Academy Trust in Leicestershire. He started his career in education as a PE teacher at Bosworth Academy,- the lead school in the Trust- becoming lead teacher in 2016 and then senior teacher in 2021. Steve has developed the Real-Life Curriculum across the schools in the Trust and is both a Fellow of Global Spirit Ed. In 2023 was named as Teacher of the Year by Apps for Good. Steve has been instrumental in introducing their new Innovate for Climate Change course to over 400 students across three schools. He ensured each student had the opportunity to pitch to an expert during one of our Expert Sessions. Steve is presently completing his Master’s in Education.
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:shall@lifemultiacademytrust.org.uk
Gemma Partington
Fellow
Gemma Partington
Fellow
Gemma is head teacher of Sharples Middle School in NE Bolton, serving a very diverse community. The school is officially classed as an "outstandingly happy school". The school has been recognised for nurturing happy children who are ready to take on any challenges facing them ¬— who are able to put their worries behind them through using simple but effective techniques.
From the start of January 2020, Sharples School has placed mental health and well-being at the forefront of all decisions that it has made. They were fortunate to work alongside The Art of Being Brilliant on this award.
Gemma is Fellow of Global Spirit CIC and helps coordinate the Bolton Primary Hub
One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because
- Phone:TBC
- Email:partingtong@sharples-pri.bolton.sch.uk
Glyn Hambling
Fellow
Andrew Mason
Fellow
Prof. Graham Handscomb
Fellow
Dr David Penberg
Fellow
Lyndsay Johnson
Fellow
Daniel Edmondson
Fellow