Tim Fisher, Chief Executive Officer
Tim has been CEO of Northern Arch Learning Partnership since its formation in 2024. Prior to that he was Principal and CEO of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College for seventeen years. Originally from Manchester, his career took him to London, Nottingham and Cambridge before he settled with his family in Darlington in 2002. Tim started his professional life as a teacher of English and believes in the fundamental importance to learning of literacy, oracy and narrative. He holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Leicester and an MEd from the University of Nottingham. He has served as a member, director and chair of several MATs, education providers and organisations both locally and nationally, as well as chairing the NorVIc Federation of eighteen northern colleges for five years. He is currently a council member for the Sixth Form Colleges Association, representing the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside.
Jon Tait, Executive Director of Education
Jon is the Executive Director of Education at Northern Arch Learning Partnership, where he provides strategic leadership across all phases, from primary through to post-16. With 25 years’ experience in education, Jon has worked at senior and executive level across multiple Multi Academy Trusts, including roles as Deputy CEO and Director of School Improvement in the North East. His work focuses on driving high-quality teaching and learning, professional development, quality assurance, school improvement and effective school-to-school support.
Jon is also an education author and speaker, with six published books spanning classroom pedagogy, educational research and school leadership. He regularly speaks at national and international conferences, sharing practical and research-informed approaches to improving education at every level.
Nikki Wade, Head of Operations
Nikki is Head of Operations at Northern Arch Learning Partnership and has almost 20 years’ experience working within the education sector in a variety of roles including Strategic Development Officer, Director of Governance, Teacher of A Level Sociology and a variety of education administration roles. Since graduating from the University of Liverpool in 2005, Nikki has also gained an MA in Human Resource Management and a PGCE.
Nikki currently leads the operational functions across the Partnership including the strategic management of the Partnership Estate; IT and Digital; Governance; Risk Management; Compliance and supports with Partnership Growth.
Glen Hart, Chief Finance Officer
Glen has worked in finance all of his career and within education since 2013. Glen leads the team in managing the Trust’s financial functions and has vast experience of the external audit process for academies.
Glen is a fellow member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and during 2025 Glen completed the Chartered Institute for Public Finance Accounting Level 7 qualification for academies financial and operational leadership.
Sam Kochaniec, Head of People
Sam joined the Partnership as Head of People in April 2024 and brought with her over 20 years’ experience of supporting maintained, aided, foundation schools, single academies and Multi Academy Trusts across the North East and North Yorkshire in her previous role as an external HR consultant.
As Head of People, Sam oversees the People functions across the Trust and heads up an experienced team of dedicated and passionate HR professionals.
Claire Hutton, Head of Marketing and Admissions
Claire is Head of Marketing and Admissions at Northern Arch Learning Partnership, bringing over 20 years of experience in the education sector, spanning both Local Authority and Multi-Academy Trust roles. In her current position, Claire plays a pivotal role in underpinning the Partnership’s marketing function and contributes directly to the delivery of the Strategic Plan.
Passionate about fostering collaboration and ensuring consistency across the Partnership, Claire is committed to supporting each academy with their admissions and implementing effective strategies, while promoting the Partnership’s vision and values.
Sarah Jones, Operations Manager
Sarah is Operations Manager and has a strong background in business continuity, health and safety, recruitment, and strategic operational leadership. Since entering the education sector in 2016, she has applied extensive experience in business management and contract oversight to support high‑quality, efficient operations. Sarah has been part of the partnership’s transformational journey since 2018.
Holding a Level 7 qualification specialising in the operational and financial management of Multi‑Academy Trusts and various qualifications in estates management, Sarah works collaboratively with across the partnership, working closely with all other members of the executive team and leads estates management, health & safety, and catering across the partnership. As the organisation’s Data Protection Officer, Sarah also oversees data governance and compliance.
Sarah plays a pivotal role in strengthening the operational excellence and the strategic development of estates to enhance sustainability, encourage ambition and support a positive, inclusive culture.
Laurence Job, Principal Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Laurence began his teaching career in 1995 when he was appointed as an English and Drama teacher at a 11-18 comprehensive school in North Yorkshire. Joining Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in 2006, he has progressed from Assistant Principal to Vice Principal to Deputy Principal and to his current position of Principal. During this period, he has been responsible for all aspects of the College’s provision including its curriculum; quality of education; student welfare and safeguarding; destinations and progression. Throughout all of these roles, Laurence’s commitment has been to enable all students and colleagues to be as successful as possible, both during their time at QE and in their futures. Alongside a BA degree in English Literature from Cardiff University and a PGCE from York University, Laurence has successfully achieved a National Professional Qualification for Headship.
Ange Sweeten, Headteacher Longfield Academy
Ange is Headteacher at Longfield Academy in Darlington. She has over 30 years experience in education and has successfully led 5 secondary schools from her beginnings as an art teacher in the North West. She has an outstanding track record of school improvement driven by a commitment to raise standards for all children. She is passionate about balancing pastoral care with high expectations.
Rachel Somerville, Headteacher Hurworth School
Rachel Somerville has been a committed educator since 2000, driven by a passion for making learning engaging and challenging for every student, regardless of ability or need. She began her career in Durham before moving into senior leadership roles, leading to her appointment as Headteacher of Hurworth School. Rachel is known for her focus on school growth, high‑quality teaching, and creating an inclusive culture where both pupils and staff can thrive.
John Armitage, Headteacher The Rydal Academy
John is the founding Headteacher of The Rydal Academy and also manages Darlington Traveller Education Service. With 23 years school leadership experience; including over 16 years of headship in the primary phase; 13 years as an active part of a cross phase multi-academy trust executive leadership team; and 21 years’ governance experience which encompasses three Local Authorities and two multi-academy trusts covering early years, primary and secondary phases as well as faith and non-faith schools. He has a strong track record of developing improvement culture. He has provided mentoring, performance management and school improvement support for headteachers across EYFS, primary and secondary phases; covering three local authorities and two academy trusts.
Lexi Wilkinson, Headteacher Mowden Infant and Junior Schools
Lexi has over twenty years’ experience across a range of primary settings and was recently appointed as the new Headteacher of Mowden Schools. Throughout her career, she has been committed to building positive school cultures rooted in respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement. She believes that great schools are built on strong relationships, high expectations, and a shared vision for success. Lexi is looking forward to further developing Mowden Schools’ contribution and role within the Trust.
