Our Principals
Aiden Bannon
Tudor Grange Samworth Academy
Aiden Bannon
Tudor Grange Samworth Academy
Aiden Bannon has dedicated 22 years to education, beginning his career as a Geography teacher in Warwickshire. Over the years, he has progressed through various roles including Head of Department, Head of Year and Assistant Headteacher. His journey has taken him to an inner-city secondary school in Birmingham, where he served as a senior leader before joining Tudor Grange Academies Trust in January 2016.
Since April 2016, he has been a part of Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, initially as an Associate Principal with several responsibilities within the Trust. He remained in Leicester before progressing to Head of Secondary in 2021 and then to Principal of this unique all-through academy in January 2022. He feels privileged to be part of the school’s incredible journey, with the whole school community achieving a ‘Good’ grade in 2021. The journey continues as they strive to provide the best possible opportunities for all pupils and the community.
“At Tudor Grange, I am proud to be a member of a team that lives by values aimed at making a significant difference in children’s lives every day. My commitment to education and leadership continues to drive my passion for fostering a positive and impactful learning environment for all students.”
David Butler
Tudor Grange Academy Worcester
David Butler
Tudor Grange Academy Worcester
David Butler has worked as a school leader within Tudor Grange Academies Trust for nearly 15 years, being an ever-present part of the Trust’s journey.
He has held leadership roles at both secondary and primary levels helping garner a deep understanding of the full educational pupil experience. He has had the privilege of being the Principal of Tudor Grange Academy Worcester since 2019, supporting the school to continue to grow and flourish. The excellent recent Ofsted inspection has been validation of the commitment placed on high quality education shown by the TGAW school community.
David’s wife and children are also part of the Tudor Grange family working and studying within the Trust.
“In my limited spare time I am a keen musician, love boring my friends and family with historical facts, and enjoy sports – watching more than playing now – and, for my sins, I follow the Baggies.”
Kate Nicholson
Robert Smyth Academy
Kate Nicholson
Robert Smyth Academy
Wendy Cooper
Head of School Primary Phase – TG Academy Samworth
Wendy Cooper
Head of School Primary Phase – TG Academy Samworth
Gail Duxbury
Tudor Grange Primary Academy St James
Gail Duxbury
Tudor Grange Primary Academy St James
Oliver Norman
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell
Oliver Norman
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell
Oliver Norman is the Principal of Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell which is a two-form-entry school set in North Worcester.
“Our Academy is a special place to work and learn; it has a unique ‘family feel’ that is tangible as you walk through the doors and continues as you move around all parts of the school. As a team we advocate fiercely for every child and strive to create ambitious, brave and caring learners who are ready to make a positive impact on their chosen environment.”
Oliver and his team work hard to design and develop an engaging, challenging curriculum for all pupils so they can take advantage of future learning opportunities at Tudor Grange Academy Worcester where many of the school’s children continue their educational journey.
Oliver loves learning and makes a conscious effort to constantly develop knowledge and skills across a range of areas. He strives to find efficient and effective solutions to problems and barriers that continue to hold back many schools from realising their potential while pushing outwards with innovative curriculum design and extra curricular opportunities.
Oliver is a proud and committed husband, father to three children and dog owner. He is grateful to have a great support network and works hard to maintain a healthy work/life balance. During his spare time he stays active with Brazilian Juijitsu, Muay Thai and football.
Catherine O’Donoghue
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Yew Tree
Catherine O’Donoghue
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Yew Tree
Catherine O’Donoghue joined Tudor Grange Primary Academy Yew Tree in January 2024 as Deputy Headteacher and is now Acting Principal. She was proud to be involved with the February 2024 Ofsted inspection where it was deemed ‘Good’ in all areas.
Catherine is also Senco for Yew Tree, enabling all children, regardless of circumstance or background, to achieve their full potential. She is currently working hard to ensure that the school has a coordinated leadership team, that behaviour is of a high standard and high expectations of attendance are communicated to all within the community.
Catherine qualified from the University of Warwick in 2010 and began her teaching career in Birmingham. She has mostly worked in areas that face many challenges and has been most proud of contributing to the rise in standards of educational achievements for everyone.
Catherine has successfully led Key Stage One and Two phases in multiple schools and was involved in School Improvement Teams across nine schools for her last Academy Trust, predominantly with an English/Early Reading focus and moderation of standards.
She has continued to help other schools and has been involved with the construction and implementation of an ambitious and engaging writing curriculum. This provided a cohesive offer to children across several schools and promoted progression for all.
Amie Wilson-Rhone
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Haselor
Amie Wilson-Rhone
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Haselor
Marie McNamara
Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
Marie McNamara
Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
Louise Porter
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Hockley Heath
Louise Porter
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Hockley Heath
Louise Porter is Principal at Tudor Grange Primary Academy Hockley Heath. She successfully managed the transition from a single academy to the Tudor Grange Academies Trust in 2022 – a move which she maintains has benefited the school greatly.
In 2024 she gained the NPQH qualification and led a successful Ofsted inspection.
Louise qualified as a primary school teacher in 2004 and started her career teaching Year 2 at a three-form-entry infant school. From there, she moved to Hockley Heath in 2007 where she taught across Key Stage 1 and 2, amassing a range of experience across different year groups – including those where children took statutory assessments.
She has led a range of different subject areas and phases across her career, promoted to the role of Vice Principal of Hockley Heath in 2015 and then Principal in 2021 after being Interim Principal for one year.
Tom Bradley
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Meon Vale
Tom Bradley
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Meon Vale
Simon Russell
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Langley
Simon Russell
Tudor Grange Primary Academy Langley
Simon Russell is Principal at Tudor Grange Primary Academy Langley, having joined in September 2022, and bringing the school into the Trust a year later.
“It is a wonderful school to work at, with a committed team, supportive community and the most fabulous children. There are many individual aspects to my role, such as leading on safeguarding and teaching and learning. However, most important is establishing culture; putting the right people and structures in place and enabling Langley to continue to flourish and progress for years to come, serving our community the best that we can.”
Simon wanted to become a teacher from an early age, completing his teacher training at Worcester and starting his first role as a Y6 teacher in 1995. He has been committed to developing and working in highly inclusive environments ever since.
Simon values time with his family, enjoying the simple joys of life together. He feels very fortunate with the life he has and the people he shares it with. The family labradoodle, Finn, is both adored and spoilt, but provides a great motivation to be outdoors and enjoying nature.
Simon is passionate about hockey, playing and umpiring at Old Silhilians. where he loves belonging within the club. Music is also a very important part of his life – a constant source of inspiration and creativity.
Claire Smith
Tudor Grange Academy Solihull
Claire Smith
Tudor Grange Academy Solihull
Darren Turner
Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst
Darren Turner
Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst
Darren Turner is Executive Principal for Tudor Grange Academies Trust, and 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.
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.