Our Central Team
Steve Brady - CEO
As of September 2024 I have been able to focus all of my efforts on being the CEO of the Forest of Dean Trust. This enables me to work alongside our fantastic staff and help shape strategy and the delivery of plans. A key element of my role is to help unlock the issues that are preventing our staff from working on their key purpose and having spent 14 years prior to this as Headteacher at Dene Magna School, I know how important this is.
I am passionate about the role our trust can play in harnessing the potential that exists in our schools, and our wider area. I see real value in the Forest of Dean Trust and I can see the impact we have as we work together as a trust of schools.
Prior to working at Dene Magna I led a school in very challenging circumstances. Under my leadership, the school came out of special measures. I have also worked as a Foundation Subjects Consultant for Gloucestershire LA and I have been a Director of the Gloucestershire Association of Secondary Headteachers and the Chair of the Local Organising Committee of the Gloucestershire School Games.
As a teacher, I was Head of Geography before moving into Senior Leadership.
I have a BSc (Hons) in Geography, PGCE, NPQH, PG Dip Ed and am currently completing my NPQEL and Level 7 Coaching and Mentoring Qualifications with the ILM.
Janet Ray - Finance Director
I have worked for the Trust for several years and assisted with the transformation from a maintained school to an Academy conversion and, in recent years, various expansion projects to the growing Multi Academy trust it is today.
I am supported by our Finance Manager, Coralie Hurst.
Gemma Meek - Assistant Headteacher FODT (Curriculum and Quality Assurance Lead)
I have worked for the Forest of Dean Trust for ten years. In 2015, I became Head of English at Dene Magna School. I relished the opportunity to develop staff, build a strong team and ensure that all students could leave us at the end of their learning journey with the core qualifications required for the next steps in their future and enjoy the process.
A few years ago, I became Assistant Headteacher for the Forest of Dean Trust, with responsibility for Curriculum and Quality Assurance across all of our Trust schools. My role is to ensure that children in our Trust receive high-quality curriculum provision throughout their school journey from nursery to the age of 18. This all-through curriculum is a unique provision offered by the Forest of Dean Trust because it ensures a collaborative approach across primary and secondary schools.
All Trust schools collaborate on a different subject area each half-term to ensure that good practice is observed and shared. Part of this collaboration also includes a half-termly networking event, where subject leads from schools in the Forest of Dean meet to discuss their curriculum and offer new ideas that could be implemented within schools.
As a previous Drybrook and Dene Magna student, I care deeply about education in the Forest of Dean and enjoy the opportunity to ensure that students from the area gain the very best education to succeed.
I have a BA(Hons) in English Literature, PGCE (Distinction), MEd in Educational Leadership and NPQ in Leading Teacher Development.
My role as Assistant Headteacher for the FODT is the development of talent and potential of all staff and students across the FODT community. At the heart of my role lies the crucial task of ensuring that the all-through curriculum from nursery to KS5 is of high quality and is enjoyable for our students and teachers in the Trust. This is achieved via a caring, supportive and collaborative approach with the opportunity for CPD and networking.
Stephen Bourne - ICT Manager
I joined the Trust in December 2023. I have over 25 years' experience working in ICT, primarily in the housing sector. I have managed ICT teams for 15 years, leading teams of between 4 - 16. During that time, I have managed organisational changes big and small, and enjoy championing continual improvement
To find out more about the other important members of our team, such as our Headteachers and Governance members, please visit the other pages under our "About us" and "Governance" tabs.