MET Structure
The MET delegates to its individual Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) most of the day to day decision making, including all aspects of curriculum development. The MET Central Team supports individual Heads and their LGBs and provides expertise in a wide range of areas, as shown below. MET members provide the firm foundations to our Vision and Values, and ensure that our core purpose is maintained. The MET Trustees also bring a wealth of experience in schools as well as beyond and ensure that all our schools receive careful monitoring as well as any necessary support.
MET Members
Mr Clifford Hampton
Mr Christopher Smyth
Lord George Young
MET Trustees
Miss Sarah Cooper, Chair of Trustees
Mr Alistair Handford
Mr Gary Regan
About our Trustees
Miss Sarah Cooper
Roles within the MET. Sarah is the Chair of the Trustees and bring over 15yrs of Governance experience in schools Sarah's corporate background is in procurement and commercial management in large international corporates . She has led outsourcing projects leading to the creation of shared service centres. Sarah set up The Children's Shoe Company based in Marlow in 2013 and has grown it to become a bricks and clicks business. Sarah has three children, all of whom have been educated in Marlow schools. She is passionate about early years and primary school education to enable children to have the best start in life.
Sarah can be contacted on scooper@marlowet.org
Date of first appointment September 2023
Mr Alistair Handford
Alistair is the Chair of the Buildings and Estates committee, and has a lifetime of experience in infrastructure construction and management, development and funding. including many years supporting School and MAT building projects.. Alistair is a Director of the Marlow and District Schools Boathouse Trust.
Alistair can be contacted on ahandford@marlowet.org
Date of first appointment October 2017
Mr Gary Regan
Gary’s background is in Special Needs Education. Prior to qualifying as a teacher, he worked in a psychiatric unit for children. Once qualified, he was a teacher and SENDCo in mainstream education, before moving into the special sector. He is now the Executive Principal of an Outstanding Multi-Academy Trust, having previously been the Head Teacher of each campus within the trust. Gary is also an OFSTED inspector. Gary has been a governor at a local primary school for four years and at Borlase for just under a year.
Gary can be contacted on gregan@marlowet.org
Date of first appointment April 2024
MET Central Team
The CEO & Accounting Officer for the MET is Mr Kevin Ford, Kevin can be contacted at Kford@marlowet.org Mr Ford has extensive experience with and working to support schools in Marlow and across Buckinghamshire.
The MET central team comprises of various teams led by the following individuals.
Our CFO, Mrs Fulden Thomas. Mrs Thomas is a qualified accountant, with over 10 years experience as a financial expert in schools, including working as the finance lead in three academy trusts.
Our HR Director Mrs Anna Summerfield, Mrs Summerfield has 15 experience as an HR specialist, both in schools and industry, including working for large organisations such as Debenhams
Our School Improvement Team is led by Mr Ralph Batten, Mr Batten has worked in school improvement for over 20 years. He was formerly a Head, in both primary and secondary phases, and has supported schools across Buckinghamshire and other local authorities.
Our Safeguarding lead for the Trust is Ms Karen Harper. Ms Harper has extensive experience working in both primary and secondary schools.
Mrs Fulden Thomas
CFO
Mrs Anna Summerfield
HR Director
Mr Ralph Batten
Director of School Improvement
