University of Roehampton: Primary Schools Partnership

Helen Rai is the Executive Headteacher of Ealing Bridges Federation in west London and Chair of the University of Roehampton's Primary Strategic Management Board. With more than thirty years of experience in education, she has developed extensive expertise in school leadership, school improvement, and system leadership.

Helen currently serves as Chair of the Ealing Learning Partnership, bringing together school leaders from across the borough to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for children and young people. She is also a serving Ofsted Inspector, giving her a broad perspective on educational quality and improvement at both school and system level.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, Helen is committed to ensuring that every child experiences a strong sense of belonging, achieves success and thrives within an ambitious and supportive learning environment. She places equal importance on creating meaningful professional opportunities for staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth and excellence.

Committed to evidence-informed practice and educational research, Helen has established strong partnerships with universities and other organisations, enabling colleagues to engage in research projects and develop innovative approaches that enhance teaching and learning. She also serves as a Trustee of Everyday Magic, an innovative arts-in-education charity dedicated to enriching the lives and learning experiences of children through the arts.

Helen's work is driven by a belief that education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities, and she remains dedicated to ensuring that all children and adults have the opportunity to flourish.

Jan joined the Merton School Improvement Team in 2024 in the teaching and learning advisory role for Early Years.

She brings with her a wealth of experience as a school leader in a Brixton maintained nursery school and international leadership in a kindergarten in China. With a mantra she often quotes, ‘It’s all about the children’, she has championed Early Years education for more than 30 years.

Jan led teams of early years professionals who worked across the PVI and school sectors in Bromley and was the Lead Early Years School Improvement Adviser leading a team working with schools and PVIs in Lambeth.

Jan has spent many years developing and delivering training for teachers, school leaders, support staff and governors to develop the understanding of early years pedagogy for non-specialists and to hone the skills of professionals to support progress and outcomes for children.

As an experienced Chair of Governors and Chair of an Multi Academy Trust Board since 2008, has a wealth of experience across a range of governance structures.

She is an advocate for collaborative working and often brings professionals together to share experiences and support the development of new initiatives to trial. As an outward looking professional, she spends time looking both nationally and internationally at research that can be developed for local schools. A strong advocate for outdoor learning and STEAM experiences for children to develop cultural capital and effective communication. Jan prides herself on finding a solution for any challenge that will improve the provision and outcomes for children.

Amanda is a Lead Mentor at the University of Roehampton, contributing to the analysis of student teacher reflections, the Lead Mentor development review and the introduction of the Early Years Teacher Apprenticeship. Amanda is collaborating with a neurodiversity working party with representatives from teaching hubs, and an ITE outdoor learning group led by Liverpool John Moores University.  

With teaching and leadership experience in early years and primary phases, Amanda’s ongoing professional studies have included MA Education, NPQ in Leading Teacher Development and MA Inclusive and Special Education. Her recent research explored the perspectives of neurodivergent student teachers and their Lead Mentors. 

Alongside her university role, Amanda works as an educational consultant which includes training educators as an endorsed Froebel Travelling Tutor for the Froebel Trust where she is part of the tutor team working party for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. She teaches in a maintained nursery school and volunteers as a school governor. Nature connection and inclusive practice are key areas in which Amanda continues to research with a view to inspiring educators in schools and nurseries. 

Camilla is Co-Headteacher of Montpelier Primary School in Ealing, a large and diverse inner London primary school. With over 30 years of experience as a teacher and school leader, she has worked across schools in Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, and Ealing.

Camilla has a particular interest in teacher development, leadership progression, and staff retention. She has extensive experience in mentoring and overseeing the training and recruitment of student teachers, Early Career Teachers (ECTs), and middle leaders. She has also worked as a facilitator for UCL's ECT and National Professional Qualification (NPQ) programmes and holds the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL).

As a board member, Camilla brings expertise in educational leadership, workforce development, and school improvement, together with a strong commitment to supporting excellence and equity in education.

Lisa is Deputy Headteacher at Wimbledon Park Primary School in south west London, bringing extensive experience of working across all primary age groups both in the UK and internationally. She is committed to her own professional development and has completed the National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH). Lisa is currently a subject tutor with Wandsworth SCITT, supporting and developing the next generation of teachers. She has previously worked as a Lead Facilitator for both the Early Career Framework and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL). With 14 years’ experience supporting teacher trainees in school, Lisa is passionate about developing high-quality teaching and ensuring that early-career educators are given the knowledge, guidance and support they need to thrive.

Ewan has worked in the Merton School Improvement Team since 2000, initially as Primary Strategy Consultant for Mathematics before becoming a Merton Education Partner in 2010. He now serves as Senior Inspector, leading the primary team of advisers. During his time in Merton, he has led the Improving Schools Programme, worked as an Ofsted team inspector, supported Early Career Teachers, and coordinated the borough’s CPD programme, including induction for new headteachers.

Ewan began teaching in 1989 at William Morris Middle School in Mitcham and has held senior leadership roles in several schools across Surrey and Merton.  He brings extensive experience in supporting schools across a range of strategic and operational priorities, and continues to love his job and working in Merton.

Mark is Deputy Principal, DSL and ITT Lead at a large primary in West Sussex.  They have been a teacher since 2004, bringing extensive experience from classrooms across both the UK and the United States. Currently serving as Deputy Principal and DSL at Gossops Green Primary, the majority of their day-to-day work focuses on safeguarding.  Central to their educational philosophy is the firm belief that children must feel safe, supported, and have their basic needs met before any meaningful learning can take place.

Beyond safeguarding, Mark is deeply passionate about supporting early-career educators and giving new teachers authentic, hands-on opportunities to learn directly inside real primary classrooms. They strongly advocate for the power of coaching to support and develop teachers further, and are currently studying toward a formal coaching qualification.