David Wootton
David is a family man, married for thirty-five years with two grown up daughters (one in the profession) who lives on a small farm in rural Cheshire.
Born into a supportive family in a South Yorkshire mining town David benefitted from some excellent aspirational teachers who inspired him to develop his musical skills and to pursue a career teaching. David studied in his native Yorkshire and later completed his MA in Educational Leadership and Innovation at Warwick University. His personal interests include Scuba Diving, Sailing, Running (half marathons), Cycling, Triathlon, all musical activities and the Arts in general, charitable activities, the Church through his strong faith, Manchester United, School Governor, Member of the Trust Board of a Multi Academies Trust and varied family activities.
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“We have a full Governors meeting tonight where we will be looking at our long term strategy for the school with some pretty ambitious changes, based around some of the ideas you put forward.”
David started his career teaching in schools in challenging circumstances in inner city Salford. It is here where his commitment to aspiration and high expectations developed.
Glass ceilings were removed and ensembles including a Big Band, composition groups and dance ensembles performed at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Covent Garden market and Strangeways Prison!
His first leadership role was in a developing school in Wrexham and he continued his work in music with jazz ensembles and rock groups performing at The Schools Prom at The Royal Albert Hall on four occasions, St David’s Hall Cardiff and on radio and TV.
Discussion with Sir Mike Tomlinson
David’s first Headship was in Stockport where the school grew as a learning institution, became ‘Leading Edge’ and led an Excellence Cluster. David moved on to open one of the earliest Academies in the Midlands.
The Academy movement fitted David’s approach with moral purpose and a focus on social justice (closing the gap), allowed him to move at pace and to utilise Academy freedoms to bring about rapid transformation. This led to the growth of Grace Academies to include three Academies across the region.
David then as Chief Executive led the Emmanuel Schools Foundation, with four highly successful schools in the North East, founded on Christian principles. The sponsors of both these groups brought much to the Schools to benefit both students, staff and communities.
On retirement of the sponsor the group joined United Learning and David assumed responsibility for twelve schools in the south and midlands, quickly moving three to outstanding, one towards teaching school status as well as bringing new schools into the group including writing a successful Free School application.
David was until recently Chair of the Independent Academies Association and is a long-standing member of the Board. As Chair he built on the growing success of the organisation during his tenure through a commitment to growing a professional membership organisation for all Academies and academy types, sharing the wealth of knowledge gained by those leading Academies throughout the country.
David is active on many working groups and advisory panels with the Department for Education having served on some over a number of years.
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“Many thanks I certainly feel that the sessions I attended were outstandingly presented.”
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“David did a great and interactive job about bringing clarity to the role of governor. Specifically liked his various activities that brought life to his presentation style.”
Career
David’s Career resume includes thirty-six years teaching experience in a wide variety Schools within mainly challenging contexts:
- Teacher of Music (2 Years)
- Head of Department (4 Years)
- Pastoral Leader (5 Years)
- Head of Faculty (2 Years)
- Head of School (lower) (2 Years)
- Assistant and Deputy Headteacher (6 Years)
- Fifteen years Leadership and Executive experience including
- Headship (7 Years)
- Academy Principal (3 Years)
- Executive Leadership (5 Years)
- Regional Executive
- Executive Principal
- CEO
In conversation with the Secretary of State
News Archive
David was recently a guest at the World Education Leaders' Briefing in London
David recently attended the National Governance Awards at the House of Lords
David attended the launch discussions towards a Royal College of Teaching hosted by Charlotte Lesley MP at Lincoln’s Inns Fields
David recently attended a roundtable discussion hosted by The Centre for Market Reform in Education
David chaired the last two Academies Shows and will Chair the next in Birmingham on November 27th 2013
David sits as a member of the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Leadership and Governance
David recently contributed to a workshop with Bishops of the Northern Province of the Church of England in York
David has contributed to a number of NCTL events and publications including ones on Systems Leadership and Academy Sponsorship and Conversion
David recently contributed to the RSA commission on Admissions
David sits on Ministerial Working Groups on English and Mathematics and 16-19 Funding
David has attended a number of recent Parliamentary receptions at the Houses of Commons and Lords
David has recently contributed to an AQA roundtable event on Examinations and Accountability
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“Our journey to outstanding owes much to you.”
David sits as part of a Research Steering Group for NCTL on the Performance Management of Headteachers based at The Institute of Education London.
David has significant experience including extended work and research opportunities from study visits to a number of countries including:
- The United States – New York and Los Angeles
- Hong Kong
- The Netherlands
- China