New Chorus CEO appointed

Mr James brings with him considerable educational experience. For the past four years he has been Senior Executive Headteacher at Nova Education Trust in the East Midlands, a growing Trust that is dedicated to developing amazing schools in all sectors across a mixture of communities in Nottinghamshire, Nottingham City and Derbyshire. The majority of the 15 schools that joined Nova had been graded by Ofsted as being in ‘Special Measures’. Currently two are ‘Outstanding’, 11 are ‘Good’ (many with ‘Outstanding’ leadership and management) and two still ‘Require Improvement’. He also led Nova’s teacher training organisation, Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT.

Previously to this he was Head Teacher of The Garibaldi School where he moved the school to ‘Good’ in nine months, establishing it as an oversubscribed school, regularly in the top 5% of all schools in the country in terms of progress at GCSE.

He has family roots in Sheffield and also studied Economic and Social History at the University of Sheffield, before training to be a teacher in Nottingham.

Commenting on the appointment, Chair of Chorus Education Board of Trustees, Mr Andy Heap, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Mr James will be leading our Trust. His approach to education very much chimes with ours – placing children at the centre of all we do. His expertise and leadership skills will help us give over 3,000 young people outstanding life chances, enabling them to reach their true potential.

“His experience of building an education trust from scratch and growing it into a thriving organisation will be invaluable as Chorus develops over the coming years. This is an extremely exciting time for Chorus as we move forwards with three secondary schools and new leadership. Our Teaching School, the Sheffield Teaching School Alliance, is also working with 13 other local Teaching Schools to bid to become one of the new ‘Super Teaching School Hubs’. Building on the fantastic work of our outgoing Executive Head, Mrs Roisin Paul, we have the opportunity to really make a difference to the educational landscape in the region.”

New CEO, Mr Chris James, said:

“Children are amazing, funny and full of potential. I believe that our job is to realise that potential – and that’s something I know I can achieve by leading Chorus Education Trust.

“The Trust already has all the right ingredients – individual schools with their own identity and rich, diverse history; a commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum; committed and talented staff; supportive families and local communities; and of course fantastic young people. I know that I can build on that, ensuring Chorus and its schools have a successful and secure future.

“To the students and families within the Chorus schools, I can say that my approach is very simple: I will work tirelessly to ensure that every child can achieve. We will do that by providing great teaching and staff who care and support inside and outside the classroom; in return we expect great behaviour and amazing attitudes to learning.

“It’s an approach that I know works and I’m extremely proud to have this opportunity to put it into effect. I look forward to meeting everyone in the next academic year and to working together as part of Chorus.”