Staff Team

Chris was appointed as Business Manager of The Fermain Academy in 2015, the founding Academy of the YES Trust, and played a lead role in establishing the systems and processes which underpin the great work the Trust does today. Chris is now the Trust’s Director of Business, and has overseen the opening of two new Free Schools, and a small Independent School in that time, with a 3^rd new Free School also in the pre-opening phase.

Chris has a background working for the Local Authority within the Business Support and Schools Capital Strategy teams, and as a Business Manager / CFO in three Special and AP Trusts. He has experience in leading the conversion to Multi Academy Trust from maintained school at a previous Trust, as well as setting up the Fermain Academy from scratch and bringing new Academies in to an existing MAT set up.

Committed to ensuring that the Trust’s Academies have the best possible staffing, resources and environment in which to inspire our learners, Chris oversees finance, H&S, HR/recruitment and operational leadership across the Trust, and works closely with Senior Leaders, Office Managers and Site Managers to help drive standards in our schools.

Chris completed the CIPFA Level 7 Certificate in School Financial and Operational Leadership in 2020, and carries out the role of Chief Finance Officer for the Trust

In post since September 2020 Helen is working as part of the Executive Leadership Team to ensure that the quality of curriculum and education across the Trust is maintained to an outstanding level and one which prepares young people to become fully functioning members of a global society.  Helen brings to the post a wealth of experience through coaching leaders, training teachers and promoting outstanding teaching and learning across Primary and Secondary settings, having led in both mainstream and alternative provision.  

Helen designed and delivered an innovative Home Office funded project, aimed at re-engaging and improving the life chances of some of our most vulnerable pupils, which was praised as being the only one nationally to achieve its aims. She has taken on failing schools which have then been judged to be Good by Ofsted. 

Helen puts pupils at the heart of all she does and brings not only enthusiasm and passion to everything she does, but an intelligence and depth of understanding of pedagogy which informs her training of teachers and leaders; she is herself an outstanding practitioner and uses her degree in French and Russian Studies to continue to inspire and motivate language learning and literacy in children and adults alike. Her passion for language teaching and literacy has led her to write and develop an exciting inter-generational language scheme which is now in the implementation stage; she hopes to map the impact of this as part of her EdD studies.

Leanne started her career in the education sector as a PhD student and lecturer in English Literature, at Liverpool Hope University. She has since undertaken level 5 and level 7 qualifications in strategic people management and has over 10 years’ experience working across diverse academies and multi-academy trusts in Cheshire East and Staffordshire.

Leanne joined YES in September 2024 in the newly created Director of People post. Her role is to lead the People and HR functions, and to support the Trust in its ambition for future growth. Leanne will develop the People strategy to ensure the Trust attracts, develops, and retains the highest quality staff, to realise its ambition to transform the lives of children within our communities. Leanne works closely with colleagues on the executive team, as well as trustees, school leaders, and office managers.

She is awaiting confirmation of chartered MCIPD status from the L7 Senior People Professional apprenticeship.

Details to follow

Janis is an experienced, research-informed English educator with over 20 years in teaching, leadership and professional development.  She began her career as an English teacher and went on to lead a high-performing faculty for over a decade, securing strong outcomes alongside a rich and inclusive subject culture.  Her work as a Lead Practitioner and Subject Consultant has focused on curriculum design, instructional coaching and supporting subject leaders to drive improvement through evidence-informed practice.

She has also led Professional Learning across a multi-academy trust, coordinating development from Initial Teacher Training through to leadership.  Alongside this, she works as a Lead Performance Coach for Best Practice Network, supporting participants on leadership NPQs, and continues to mentor leaders across schools.  She contributes to professional learning and research activity within The YES Trust and is actively engaged in national networks shaping thinking around professional development and evidence-informed practice.

Janis is Trust English Lead at The YES Trust, where she leads the development of English across schools specialising in Alternative Provision and SEND.  She works closely with colleagues to design ambitious, inclusive curricula and to secure high-quality teaching and outcomes for vulnerable learners.  She is particularly passionate about the role of English in developing literacy, oracy and cultural capital, and in creating meaningful pathways for all learners to succeed.

Jayne has recently joined the Trust from busy HR Team at Cheshire Police and will now be helping Trust to increase its people management capacity and service from the Central Team.  Jayne will also be focusing on developing the staff benefits side of the Trust.

Jayne lives in Crewe with her husband, 2 children and pet tortoise (called Toad!)

Marie joins the Trust with a vast amount of administrative experience having worked in the education sector for nearly 20 years.  Marie has worked for the Local Authority and within Social Care, supporting vulnerable students and families with SEND and complex needs as well as working within a local secondary school and has a wide experience of school office administration.

Marie lives with her husband, two children and dog (Bear) and loves spending time with friends, family and visiting the Lakes (or anywhere with a view)!

Lorna has worked within the education sector since 2007. She began her career in Mainstream Education as a Teaching Assistant, embarking on her journey in Specialist Education in 2017 and has never looked back.

Lorna joined our Trust in 2019, as the Pastoral and Safeguarding Lead at The Axis Academy, our second Free School, where she led on safeguarding and pastoral care. Lorna worked with us for 12 months prior to the school opening in 2020, on the pre-opening phase of the school, playing a key part in ensuring the school opened successfully.

Lorna moved to her role as Trust Project Manager in 2023 and has recently worked on the opening of our newest Free School, The Raise Academy, collaborating with builders, contractors, local authorities, and stakeholders.  She was instrumental in working alongside the team to ensure the successful launch of the academy in September 2024.

Within her role as Trust Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Lorna is passionate about ensuring our students’ safety and welfare and supports safeguarding policy, practices and procedures across all our schools contributing to Ofsted ratings of “good” or better. Her work reflects a commitment to exceeding expectations for students and their families.

Lorna holds a degree in Learning, Development and Support and since working with the Trust has successfully completed an NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools and Communities (Practitioner status). She has recently embarked on her Masters in Management and Project Management.

Lorna’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to educational excellence and the well-being of students, consistently striving to create environments where every student can succeed.

Linda joins has recently joined the Trust with 15 years of finance and business admin experience in education having started as a bursar in a mainstream first school in 2008 and will be primarily supporting our Director of Business, Chris Heptinstall and our academy teams.

Linda developed her passion for Alternative Provision working as a School Business Manager at an SEN school in Staffordshire.  Most recently, she was working with a large secondary school in North Staffordshire.

Linda lives in Cheddleton, North Staffordshire with her husband, son and two dogs (Chester and Bob), enjoys eating out, going to concerts and the theatre and is a keen crafter.

Bethany has recently joined the team as Trust Finance and Payroll Officer.  Bringing with her extensive experience gained over more than ten years in payroll processing within a bureau and an accountancy practice, spanning both commercial and education sectors.

Bethany lives in Shavington with her Husband and 2 Dogs; Milo & Penny.  In her spare time Bethany enjoys socialising with family and friends, attending concerts and going on holiday

My name is Rachel Done, and I work within the YES Connected Team teaching across all subject areas and supporting curriculum development, with a particular focus on PSHE. I have over 15 years of experience in both mainstream and specialist settings, working extensively with SEND and behaviour.

I am currently developing my SEND leadership skills as I work towards a future role supporting inclusion. Alongside my work in education, I previously ran my own successful business, bringing organisational and communication strengths that continue to support my work in schools.

I am always happy to connect with staff, students, and families, please feel free to get in touch.

With over ten years of experience working in and alongside education, primarily within special and alternative provision, Jamie considers his professional expertise to be specialist learning facilitation, both within and beyond the YES Trust.  His aim is to fill the gaps through which young learners might otherwise fall, and to hold spaces, both physical and virtual, where they feel safe to demonstrate curiosity and express themselves.

Alice is an experienced English teacher and has spent four years teaching in comprehensive secondary schools, developing a strong passion for inclusive, engaging classroom practice.  Alice is now the Virtual English Teacher for YES Connected, where she is excited to share her love of the subject and support learners in rediscovering the power of language, reading and writing.

She is committed to creating meaningful pathways for all learners, ensuring that English is accessible, relevant and exciting.  Through a relationship‑centred and flexible approach, Alice aims to inspire confidence and curiosity in every student she works with.

James is an experienced mathematics teacher and Lead Practitioner with over 15 years’ experience across a range of education settings. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with all profiles of students including those with additional educational needs, and has developed a strong commitment to inclusive, relationship-centred practice that supports all learners to succeed.

With vast experience working at Foundation level GCSE mathematics, and at Higher level for a major exam board in England, James has a particular strength in breaking down complex concepts and building confidence in students who may have previously struggled with the subject. His approach is rooted in strong relationships, high expectations, and adaptive teaching, ensuring that learning is accessible, meaningful, and responsive to individual need.

Alongside his classroom practice, James has led on curriculum development, supported colleagues through coaching and professional development, and used data-informed strategies to improve outcomes for students at risk of underachievement. He is particularly passionate about removing barriers to learning and creating environments where every student feels safe, supported and able to make progress.

At YES Connected, James is committed to delivering a child-centred, flexible education that meets students where they are, helping them to re-engage with learning and move forward with confidence.