Prior to joining the Laurus Trust, Mark has held a variety of roles across different sectors of the education system. Most recently, he was a Senior Lecturer in Education, supporting and training the next generation of teachers, with particular expertise in SEND and Inclusion and Professional Practice.

He also taught on the MA Education course and had various leadership roles in the higher education sector. Mark has a particular expertise in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), having previously been a specialist teacher supporting inclusion in Stockport across Primary and Secondary schools as well as being a SENCO in multiple schools.

Mark grew up in Stockport and spent much of his career working in the local authority so understands the context well. He attended the University of St Andrews to read Geology and Geography and went on to the University of Edinburgh to achieve his PGCE, leaving Scotland to return to the local area. Mark is completely committed to professional learning having completed a Masters in SEN and Inclusion and Doctorate in Education over the last decade. Much of his free time is dedicated to his family, with three teenage children, often spending time in the ‘great outdoors’.

Mark is excited to open Laurus Grace and increase the specialist education offer in Stockport. He is passionate about providing the students with the very best education and opportunities; a school that staff, students and the local community can be extremely proud of.

In 2008, having achieved the very highest standards of classroom practice, David secured his Advanced Skills Teacher status (AST) in Mathematics. This enabled him to share his skills and experience with other teachers across Greater Manchester. He then went on to develop and lead departments in other schools.

Soon after joining Cheadle Hulme High School, David completed his doctorate in education and now leads the Trust’s Research and Development programme. Through this work he co-founded the North West One Maths Hub which works to improve the teaching of mathematics across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Jack has held several other roles within HGHS and the Trust, initially as a Director of Learning. In this role, Jack’s particular focus was around supporting students of a particular year group with academic progress, helping to ensure positive outcomes and successful post-16 pathways.

More recently, Jack acted as Head of Altius House and was involved in the initial implementation and successful embedding of the House system at HGHS. In this role, Jack was again responsible for overseeing the academic progress of the students in Altius House, as well as improving student leadership opportunities and promoting student engagement with the four cornerstones of the Trust.

Jack has completed National Professional Qualifications in Middle and Senior Leadership prior to starting his current role of Assistant Headteacher.

Jack attended the University of Manchester where he studied Biomedical Science, before staying at Manchester to complete his PGCE. Here, Jack was club captain of the university’s football club and sport remains to be one of his main passions. The rest of his free time is dedicated to his family and in particular his two young children.

Jack is incredibly excited to join the leadership team at Laurus Grace and is keen to ensure that the school provides the best possible environment for Stockport’s young people to thrive, receiving top quality education and support to improve their chances of success in the futures of their choice.

Chloe is driven by her passion and joy of working with young people. Prior to specialising in SEMH for the Laurus Trust, she has experience as a Communication and Interaction Specialist within a number of secondary and further education settings.

In November 2020, Chloe achieved her MEd Psychology of Education from the University of Manchester, supplementing her knowledge, as well as lifelong experience, of Autism Spectrum Conditions.