Our Executive Team
Claire Maclean
Chief Executive Officer
Claire Maclean
Chief Executive Officer
Claire Maclean has been CEO of Tudor Grange Academies Trust (TGAT) since 2014, leading the Trust with a vision of excellence and a commitment to providing outstanding education for all students.
Claire has successfully expanded TGAT from three schools to thirteen, fostering a close-knit and mature model that emphasises shared values and commitment to betterment through quality assurance and professional learning.
Claire’s dedication to system leadership and school-to-school learning is evident in her work. She believes that every child deserves access to great schools, as education is the key to social mobility. Her approach focuses on collaboration and shared learning among schools to close the attainment gap and ensure all children thrive.
Her journey in education began in 1997 as an English teacher at Tudor Grange School in Solihull. Over the years, Claire has held various significant roles, including Advanced Skills Teacher and National Leader of Education. In 2009, Claire became the Principal of Tudor Grange Academy Worcester, where she played a pivotal role in transforming the school. Under her leadership, the academy achieved remarkable improvements, earning high praise from Ofsted.
Carmen McMahon
Executive HR Director
Carmen McMahon
Executive HR Director
As Executive HR Director at TGAT, Carmen McMahon is responsible for driving the Trust’s ongoing success through HR leadership. She reports directly to the TGAT Board and subsidiary committees, providing updates on operational HR matters. Her role involves delivering accurate, up-to-date information and consistent KPI reporting across all the Trust’s schools, enabling stakeholders to make informed and confident decisions.
As a member of the Executive team Carmen plays a key role in TGAT’s school improvement strategy and contributes to the vision for the Trust’s future. In addition to meeting statutory reporting obligations, she leads the HR and Payroll teams and works closely with the schools to ensure the efficient management of all employee-related processes.
Carmen is a CIPD Chartered member with the CIPD Level 7 qualification (the highest standard in HR). She brings fourteen years of experience in the education sector, including two years as an Executive Director for another Multi-Academy Trust prior to joining Tudor Grange Academy Trust. During her career, Carmen has worked with schools and Trusts across multiple districts, gaining invaluable insights into the unique dynamics and challenges of HR within the education sector. This experience positions her well to design tailored HR strategies that align with the Trust’s overarching vision and objectives.
Outside of work, Carmen enjoys spending quality time with her family, travelling, watching her son play rugby, and going on walks with her cockapoo.
David Dovydaitis
Chief Finance Officer
David Dovydaitis
Chief Finance Officer
David Dovydaitis is Chief Financial Officer at Tudor Grange Academies Trust, leading the financial strategy, planning, and compliance across the Trust. With over 20 years in education finance, David provides oversight to the Trust’s sustainable growth and optimal resource management across its schools.
David’s experience includes roles at KPMG and RSM Tenon and, as a finance consultant to the academy sector where he developed a strong foundation in financial management, auditing, and strategic planning. He is also an accredited Schools Resource Management Advisor and has worked nationally identifying savings and efficiencies at Trusts nationally.
Outside the office, David stays active through squash and finds enjoyment in the precision of snooker. When he’s ready for a change of pace, snowboarding provides a refreshing escape.
Lance Gordon
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Lance Gordon
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Lance Gordon is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Tudor Grange Academies Trust, supporting the CFO with managing the financial strategy, planning and compliance across the Trust.
Approaching 10 years in Education working for the Trust, Lance’s knowledge of financial systems/processes helps to support the Trust’s sustainable growth.
Lance’s experience includes roles in retail, leisure, real estate management and the charitable sector, having previously held positions at Parkwood Leisure, Cushman and Wakefield and Sense. Gaining experience in both private and public sector environments at national and international organisations, Lance has developed a strong understanding of business operations and how systems can facilitate efficient operations at scale.
Outside of work, Lance enjoys spending quality time with his family, watching snooker and darts, and a keen interest in the topic of personal finance and pensions.
Steve Groutage
Chief Operations Officer
Steve Groutage
Chief Operations Officer
Steven Groutage, Chief Operations Officer, is a former teacher, Associate Principal and a self-proclaimed technologist and architecture lover. He played a leading role in the establishment of the Trust by creating an integrated and federated forest IT network, which has allowed the Trust to easily grow around a core set of centralised services.
Working with leading architects and property experts, Steven has developed architectural masterplans for each of the Trust schools and has delivered a long-term capital programme that has led to the transformation of the Trust’s estate and the creation of some outstanding learning spaces for staff and students to thrive in.
Steven has also been instrumental in establishing important partnerships that have resulted in the Trust’s largest sources of external investment, including £5.5m from Leicestershire County Council (LCC); £2.5m and £1.2m from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) and £2.25m from Worcestershire County Council for expansion projects. He has also secured significant investment for new SEND bases, including £800k from LCC and £1.2m from SMBC.
With a view to the future, Steven has delivered a sustainability strategy that has resulted in a full LED replacement scheme and solar arrays at all academies, helping to deliver 20% renewable energy and an exciting new programme utilising SMART and AI technology to further help reduce energy consumption and CO2.
Lee Fletcher MBE
Executive Lead for Partnerships & Wider Learning Opportunities
Lee Fletcher MBE
Executive Lead for Partnerships & Wider Learning Opportunities
Schools are at the heart of our communities and have enormous potential to increase life chances for the communities we serve. There are many agencies and funding opportunities available to schools. However, many schools are unaware of these and do not have the capacity to maximise them. My role is to facilitate this and support our schools by securing local and national investment and high quality partnerships that can positively impact our schools.
Learning does not begin or end in the classroom, nor when the school day ends. All our schools are available for community use during the evenings, weekends and school vacations. Part of my role is to ensure that community use is not a ‘bolt on,’ but one that has real value through optimising income and ensuring programming extends learning opportunities beyond the school day for our students and the wider community.
TGAT has worked with many partners including the Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association, England Hockey, Sport England, National Lottery and Youth Music, among others. We work proactively with local authorities to support them in making our communities the best they can be through supporting their strategies. We have helped address the deficits and opportunities that the Playing Pitch Strategies and Built Facilities Strategy highlight and helped mitigate the impact of new housing. Furthermore, we seek to forge exceptional partnerships with local businesses and community groups to support our schools and their communities, building valuable social capital.
TGAT is committed to ensuring our children lead happy, fulfilling lives and enjoy an outstanding education. We welcome new partnerships with agencies who share our values and determination to contribute to outstanding, outward looking schools at the heart of our communities.
Inspired by some exceptional teachers at school, I completed my degree in Sport and Recreation Studies and PGCE at The University of Birmingham. Since graduating, I have taught PE; and Leisure and Tourism related courses and led on community engagement. An experienced practitioner, I am the co-author of Heinemann’s GCSE Leisure and Tourism Tutor File and textbook and the “e presentation” interactive travel and tourism resource. I have moderated AQA GCSE PE and OCR GCSE Travel and Tourism qualifications and, in this role, saw best practice nationally that inspired me to provide an excellent learning environment for our school and community. On completion of my Middle Level Leaders award, I implemented Extended Services at my school and transformed the school facilities and community engagement through grants and partnerships.
I was a child on free school meals myself, with limited scope to take up opportunities outside of school. I was and am acutely aware of how important it is that schools provide the best opportunities they can, and this underpins everything I do. Progressing to leading on Partnerships and Wider Learning Opportunities for Tudor Grange Academies Trust has given me the opportunity to support more schools so they can best serve our students and the wider community.
Lorna Marson
Executive Data Manager and Analyst
Lorna Marson
Executive Data Manager and Analyst
Jane Plant
Executive PA
Jane Plant
Executive PA
As Personal Assistant to the CEO at Tudor Grange Academies Trust, Jane Plant plays a pivotal role in ensuring the operation of the Trust’s executive functions. With a strong background in administrative and organisational management, Jane is proficient in managing complex schedules, streamlining communications, and providing strategic support to senior leadership.
Jane thrives in a fast-paced environment where adaptability and problem-solving are key. She is deeply committed to the Trust’s mission of delivering outstanding educational outcomes and takes pride in supporting the CEO and wider leadership team in achieving these goals.
Dawn Ashbolt
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation
Dawn Ashbolt
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation
Dawn Ashbolt joined Tudor Grange Academies Trust as Director of Monitoring and Evaluation in 2024. With over 25 years’ experience in the education sector, she brings a wealth of skills and commitment to ensuring that all TGAT schools are the best they can be. Dawn trained as an English teacher and worked in a variety of leadership roles in the secondary sector where she led on raising achievement and transforming outcomes.
Dawn was previously one of His Majesty’s Inspectors, inspecting primary and secondary schools. She continues to inspect with Ofsted as a serving practitioner.
Dawn enjoys working with academy leaders and other directors who focus on school improvement. She visits schools to conduct reviews of provision and identifies key actions.
Jodie Bolter
Director of Systems Leadership
Jodie Bolter
Director of Systems Leadership
Jodie Bolter is Director of Systems Leadership for Tudor Grange Academies Trust, overseeing a team who have oversight for curriculum development, people development, and inclusion. Jodie is an experienced leader with specialist skills in managing change, school culture, and school improvement. She has a Doctorate in education, specialising in leadership.
Jodie has worked across several school settings including RI and Outstanding schools. Having previously worked in Hertfordshire, Jodie worked as an Advanced Skills teacher in several schools and then took on the role as Assistant Head at Goffs School in Cheshunt. She was promoted to Vice Principal at Goffs School and was part of the leadership team who took the school from RI to Good. During this time, Jodie worked closely with the local authority and presented several times at SSAT conferences on school improvement work.
In September 2015, Jodie relocated to the West Midlands and became an Associate Principal for Tudor Grange Academy Redditch, and the following year became the Principal. The school had a complex history and Jodie successfully led on changing the culture and community perceptions. The re-visioning work included opening a specialist autism base, Treetops, which is now oversubscribed. Jodie successfully led the school from RI to Good in January 2022.
In September 2020, Jodie became an Executive Principal, overseeing both primary and secondary schools within Tudor Grange Academy Trust. Jodie set up the new Free School ‘Meon Vale’ in Stratford Upon Avon and has experience of working across a range of schools.
Helen Myers
Deputy Director of Systems Leadership
Helen Myers
Deputy Director of Systems Leadership
Helen Myers is Deputy Director of Systems Leadership for TGAT. She has taught English for over 20 years, and has been a Head of English, and Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning.
Helen has been a Director of the Tudor Grange Teaching School Hub, Origin Maths Hub, and Deputy Director of the Tudor Grange Research School. She is passionate about increasing the life chances of all children through education.
Sarah Deakin
Director of Primary Standards
Sarah Deakin
Director of Primary Standards
Sarah Deakin is Director of Primary Standards for Tudor Grange Academies Trust. She oversees standards in our primary academies and has strategic responsibility for all areas relating to primary education.
She qualified as a primary teacher in 2002, having developed particular expertise in EYFS and SEND education over her career.
Sarah joined the Trust in 2014 to aid in the expansion of TGPA St James to a full primary school, becoming Principal in 2015. Having joined the Trust in 2013 as a sponsored academy, under Sarah’s leadership TGPA St James was graded as outstanding in November 2017.
Sarah has worked in a range of urban and rural primary settings across all phases, and undertook the National Award for SENCO in 2011. In 2018 she was promoted to Executive Principal alongside maintaining the role of Principal at TGPA St James. In 2022 she joined the central team as Executive Principal for Primary on a full time basis.
Sam Roach
Director of Secondary Standards
Sam Roach
Director of Secondary Standards
Samantha Roach, MEd CMgr MCMI, is Director of Secondary Standards for Tudor Grange Academies Trust. Sam qualified as a drama teacher in 2002 and has been with the Trust since its inception in 2009.
Sam returned to the central team after securing the leadership at TGSA. She oversees standards in the Trust’s secondary academies and has strategic responsibility for data, pupil premium, SEND, safeguarding, PSHE and personal development.
In 2014 Sam became the Principal at Tudor Grange Academy Worcester and began developing the Trust’s pupil premium strategy. In 2019 she was promoted to Executive Principal and was based at Tudor Grange Samworth Academy (TGSA) in Leicester as acting principal. TGSA is a school in a socio-economically deprived area and 50% of pupils are eligible for the pupil premium. In 2019 the school was deemed inadequate and, through Sam’s strong vision, in November 2021 the school was judged to be good.
Darren Turner
Regional Leader of Education
Darren Turner
Regional Leader of Education
Darren Turner BA Ed Hons, MA Ed is Executive Principal for Tudor Grange Academies Trust, currently Principal at Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst.
In September 2014 Darren joined the Tudor Grange Academies Trust as Principal of Tudor Grange Academy Solihull and moved to a position of Executive Principal within the Tudor Grange Academies Trust in 2017. During this time he led and coordinated leadership, management and school improvement in four of the Trust’s six secondary schools. Currently he assists two secondary schools and has an oversight of behaviour, recruitment and careers within the Trust, whilst facilitating. the NPQEL.
Darren qualified as a History and PE Teacher from St Luke’s College of Education at Exeter University in 1996. He led a department at a successful school in Winchester to national recognition whilst continuing to play semi-pro football, a high standard of cricket and coaching Hampshire and England U17 Rugby.
Darren returned to Birmingham to become a Director of Specialism at another successful school and began a journey of research into outstanding teaching, learning and leadership. He worked closely with both the SSAT and National College and gained his NPQH and Masters from Warwick University in Educational Leadership in 2010.
As a Vice Principal, Darren arrived in North Solihull at a school which had been closed by the DfE in December 2010 and, with the support of a sponsor school, re-opened the school as a new academy. He changed the culture, constructed a positive climate with an aspirational ‘can do’ and ‘want to’ attitude, and in the space of 29 months the academy received Outstanding in a full Ofsted inspection.
Darren has continued to help other schools improve and continues to deliver National College programmes and inspires teachers and students to achieve their absolute best.
Dan Cleary
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Dan Cleary
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
As Deputy Director of Secondary Standards, Daniel Cleary plays a key role in ensuring that schools deliver high expectations in academic, pastoral and operational standards. He is responsible for the oversight of curriculum development, policy implementation, and monitors the performance of schools to ensure the highest possible standards of quality for students and staff. His responsibilities include conducting evaluation, providing professional development for teachers and collaborating with other educational leaders to drive continuous improvement.
An energetic and performance-driven educational leader, Daniel has a clear moral purpose and commitment to delivering excellence for every child.
“I have a passion for working with young people every day and hold a conviction that they can all succeed through experiencing achievement, building aspiration and developing a strong moral compass.”
Daniel is also the Principal of a successful and thriving school in Harborough. He is responsible for sustaining a positive learning and working environment, leading and managing staff together with fostering strong relationships with students, staff, parents and the community. He sets the overarching goals and objectives for the institution and supports leaders and teachers to ensure that the school puts students at the centre.
Clare Waterhouse
Director of Inclusion
Clare Waterhouse
Director of Inclusion
As Director of Inclusion, Clare Waterhouse is responsible for ensuring that SEND, safeguarding, attendance and behaviour policies and practices across the Trust are inclusive, promote belonging and improve outcomes for all learners. She ensures the Trust’s monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems are focused on outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners, and that academy leaders receive information, guidance and training to improve these outcomes.
Clare provides clarity of Trust expectations for school leaders, staff, parents and external agencies to enable all stakeholders to work together to create a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for all pupils.
Clare started her teaching career as a teacher of modern foreign languages. She has been with Tudor Grange Academies Trust since its inception in 2009, where she led on the implementation of a foundation programme, determining curriculum and individual learning programmes designed to support the most vulnerable learners on transition to secondary school.
Following this, Clare was part of the senior leadership team at Tudor Grange Academy Worcester in a role that incorporated SENCO and DSL, before taking on a Trust Lead role in 2016. In addition to supporting schools with SEND and safeguarding matters, she has been involved in the development of several enhanced mainstream SEND bases for children with communication and interaction needs and social, emotional and mental health needs. Clare has a degree in French and German Studies, the National Award for SEN Co-ordination, is a trained Designated Safeguarding Lead, has previously supported other schools as a Specialist Leader of Education and has recently completed an NPQH.
A family of academies within the Midlands with a shared ethos, common values and collective goals. Our Academies have a simple priority, to deliver outstanding teaching and learning for all.