Meet our Executive Group

Steven Baker OBE

Trust Lead
(Chief Executive Officer)

The Principal of Everton Free School and Football College, Steven’s journey in education has seen him lead three schools to ‘outstanding’ Ofsted status.

A former Ofsted inspector, he was made a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2019 for his “significant and sustained” impact on teaching, and he has also worked with the Ministry of Justice to focus the efforts of youth and adult establishments nationwide on developing a culture of rehabilitation. Steven’s schools have won a range of national awards for their compassionate, trauma-informed approach, and the Department for Education cited them as an example of best practice in mental health due to their student and staff wellbeing focus.

Steven co-authored a critically acclaimed book about this approach (‘A School Without Sanctions’, Bloomsbury), which was published in October 2020. He currently sits on the advisory board for the Centre for Educational Leadership at Liverpool John Moores University and the Mental Health Stakeholder Forum for the Crown Prosecution Service.

A former war crimes investigator, Steven has received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in acknowledgement of his contribution to the Remembering Srebrenica Northwest Board and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to education and tackling hatred.

In 2024, Everton Football College and Free School received an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating – the third occasion Steven’s schools have been granted the body’s highest commendation. 

Linda McMullen

Chief Finance & Operating Officer (CFOO)

Responsible for non-academic operations and central service functions across The Trust, Linda’s remit includes overseeing financial and operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and the Trust’s people (HR) function.

Prior to joining The Trust, Linda was Director of Finance, Governance and Assets at Everton in the Community (EitC) and helped drive financial and operational stability that contributed to the charity doubling its revenues while expanding its support to participants and those in need across the Liverpool City Region. During this time, she was also an active member of a working group established through the Premier League to implement a governance framework for all football-based charities.

Her achievements in the field saw her named the “Not-for-Profit” Finance Director of the Year in 2017 at the prestigious Finance Director of the Year Awards.

While with Everton in the Community, Linda played a significant role in supporting Everton Free School and Football College in the development of its policies and procedures and recently helped with the integration of renewed HR practices at the school.

Prior to joining EitC, Linda was employed as a School Business Manager at a large secondary school, having previously spent 15 years working in the private sector in various financial, operational and administrative roles.

Linda has a Certificate in School Business Management, is an accredited coaching trainer, and recently completed a Master’s degree in Finance and Strategy.

Claire was appointed Principal of Everton Free School and Football College, having previously served the school for 12 years as Deputy Principal and Head of the Free School. Throughout her tenure, Claire has been instrumental in guiding the school’s remarkable journey, supporting both students and staff to achieve their best.

Passionate about helping every student realise their full potential, Claire has led the school through significant milestones, including a successful Ofsted inspection shortly after her appointment, where the school was judged Outstanding in all five categories. As the school joins The People’s Learning Trust, she remains committed to excellence in education, fostering a nurturing and ambitious environment.

Claire’s focus is on continuing to strengthen the school community, ensuring that every student develops into a confident, capable, and responsible young person. She is dedicated to building on the school’s successes and working collaboratively with staff, students, and families to make Everton Free School and Football College a truly inspiring place to learn and thrive.

Sarah Curtis

Headteacher, Meadow Primary School

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Sarah has been a teacher for over 30 years, and a headteacher at  Meadow Primary since September 2010.  She has taught at several primary schools in West Sussex, Cheshire East and Cheshire West which have included large two form entry schools to a small rural school with only two classes.

She has had extensive experience of school improvement, having moved Meadow Primary from an Ofsted judgement of Inadequate in September 2010, to Outstanding in May 2015.  Meadow has continued to flourish with a strong focus on continuous improvement. The curriculum has been completely overhauled and reflects her commitment to giving our pupils the best possible education. She is constantly looking for ways to improve and uses current research to ensure that changes are positive and have impact. 

As an Associate School Improvement Adviser (ASIA) for Cheshire West and Chester LA she has supported local schools. Several of Meadow’s teaching staff are also involved in school improvement for the LA as Subject Specialist Leaders, or the Maths Hub. Succession planning, distributed leadership and encouraging opportunities for professional growth is a key focus at Meadow. 

Her passion is supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEND).  She led a Moderate Learning Difficulties Unit for 6 years and has been a SENCo for the majority of her career. She currently sits on the SEND panel making decisions about EHCPs and is part of the Local Authority SEND Strategy board.  She established and leads the Cheshire West and Chester SENCo network on behalf of the Local Authority. 

She is also the Vice Chair of Governors at Upton-by-Chester High School. 

Stuart Brady

Headteacher, Bidston Avenue Primary School

Stuart Brady has led Bidston Avenue Primary School as Headteacher since 2007, bringing with him a wealth of leadership experience and a commitment to educational excellence. He is also recognised as a Founding Fellow (FCCT) of the Chartered College of Teaching, an accolade awarded to a select group of educators who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the teaching profession. In addition, he is currently mid-way through a dual award National Professional Qualification for Executive Headship (NPQEL) alongside a Level 7 (Master’s Apprenticeship) in Senior Leadership—programmes typically pursued by chief executives and other senior business leaders—underscoring his dedication to continuous professional development. 

Beyond improving classroom practice, Stuart takes on responsibilities spanning finance, health and safety, marketing, HR, and personnel management - ensuring the school’s smooth operation and strategic development. His influence stretches well beyond Bidston Avenue, having been instrumental in supporting other schools across Wirral. Under his leadership and guidance, schools deemed inadequate by the Local Authority have substantially improved, achieving “good” gradings in nearly all areas, resulting in a transformative impact on both the school and the wider community. 

In addition, Stuart chaired the North Birkenhead Headteachers’ cluster of schools for three years, fostering collaboration and the sharing of best practice, and he continues to play a key role in the Wirral Primary Headteachers’ Consultation Group. His regional leadership not only strengthens educational standards but also bolsters community confidence in local schools. 

Alongside his work in education, Stuart actively supports various charities/schools as a company director, governor and trustee—ranging from a local secondary academy, a special education needs school and Tranmere Rovers in the Community to The Shaftes Youth Club, where his voluntary work (alongside others) was recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) in November 2024. His passion for community service traces back to fundraising efforts in his formative years for causes such as St John’s Hospice and the British Heart Foundation. 

A former leading mathematics teacher, leading literacy teacher, and Wirral LA advisory teacher for ICT and Design & Technology, Stuart brings deep pedagogical expertise and an understanding of classroom complexities to his leadership style. He prioritises staff development, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, and works tirelessly to meet the needs of all pupils—especially those requiring additional support—through tailored interventions and inclusive teaching practices. 

Committed to transparent governance and accountability, Stuart partners with parents, carers, and external stakeholders to maintain a cohesive educational environment. His emphasis on continuous improvement underpins every facet of his work, ensuring that Bidston Avenue Primary School remains a nurturing, forward-thinking place where every child can thrive.

Laura brings over 12 years of experience in school business management, having served at Everton Free School & Football College where she successfully progressed through a series of promotions to lead the school business and finance function. In this role, she has overseen strategic and operational financial planning, delivered balanced budgets, and implemented efficiency measures that ensure strong financial stewardship without compromising educational outcomes.

Alongside her qualifications in Accounting and Degrees in School Business Leadership and Management , Laura has demonstrated expertise in preparing and analysing financial statements, reporting to stakeholders, and managing risk. She is recognised as a professional, approachable leader who builds strong working relationships, communicates effectively, and contributes to a positive organisational culture.

As Director of Finance at The People’s Learning Trust, Laura combines her financial acumen, leadership skills, and knowledge of the education sector to support the Trust’s growth and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Andrew is a highly experienced school leader with a strong track record of driving improvement and raising attainment. Currently serving as Director of School Improvement here at The People's Learning Trust, he has held senior roles including Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning), SENCO, and project coordinator for the DfE’s Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce.

At Everton Free School, Andrew transformed literacy provision, expanded EHCP support from two to almost thirty students, and oversaw significant improvements in GCSE outcomes across English, Maths, Science, and PE. His leadership contributed to the school being graded Outstanding in every category by Ofsted in 2024, with inspectors highlighting its “inspirational offer” and “exceptional” SEND provision.

Andrew has also successfully led school improvement beyond his own setting, designing and implementing a 170-day improvement plan at Waterside Academy that has already delivered measurable progress in leadership, attendance, and teaching. His expertise has been sought nationally, with contributions to local authorities, the Government of Jersey, and the Ministry of Justice.

Recognised as NASEN Leader of the Year (2023), Andrew is passionate about ensuring that nothing but the best is good enough, for students, staff, and schools across the Trust.

Louise is an accomplished HR professional with over 30 years' experience spanning the education, public sector, and corporate worlds. A member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD), she combines strong academic achievements - a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and an MA in Personnel & Development from John Moores University, with extensive hands-on experience in HR leadership.

Her career has taken her from early HR roles in government and financial services, through senior corporate posts supporting UK and EMEA operations, to over 15 years of leadership within the education sector. She has held key positions at King George V College, Southport College, and most recently as Senior Schools HR Business Partner at School Improvement Liverpool, where she supported 27 schools with expert guidance on people management, organisational change, and employee relations.

Louise is recognised for her pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and her ability to manage complex HR challenges, from large-scale organisational change and TUPE processes to sensitive employee relations and safeguarding matters. She has a proven track record of strengthening HR services, developing leaders, and creating positive, inclusive workplace cultures.

Resilient and people-centred, Louise is passionate about supporting staff to thrive. She brings not only deep HR expertise but also integrity, fairness, and a commitment to fostering environments where every individual feels valued and supported.

Steve has extensive multi-sector experience spanning senior leadership, facilities management, and technical operations across both public and private sectors. With a strong foundation in the construction industry, he has progressed through several technical roles at Norwest Holst Construction, including Site Agent and Site Engineer, before holding a Professional & Technical Officer role at the Property Services Agency in Liverpool. He was responsible for planned maintenance across the Government Estate, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and statutory compliance.

Following this, Steve transitioned into the hospitality sector, working for a number of companies such as Whitbread, EI Group and latterly Stonegate Group Ltd as a Divisional Director, In this senior leadership capacity, he led a team of regional managers across a diverse estate of hospitality venues, delivering performance and profit targets, and leading strategic improvements in operational delivery, customer service, and regulatory compliance.

Steve has previously worked in a multi academy trust as head of estates, shaping policies and supporting facilities management across a school-focused client base. Duties included capital investment, ensuring health and safety compliance, statutory testing, maintenance, and maintaining the operational readiness of educational premises.

Mark Easdown

Director of Governance and Compliance

Mark is an experienced strategic leader with over a decade of senior management expertise across the charity, education, and corporate sectors. Prior to joining The People’s Learning Trust, he was Director of Corporate Services at Shakespeare North Trust, overseeing governance, risk, HR, finance, legal, IT, and estates, and serving as Company Secretary.

He previously served as CEO of Wirral Youth Zone (The Hive), leading on strategic planning, financial management of a £1.4 million budget, and compliance across safeguarding, health and safety, and charity law. Earlier roles at The Hive included Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Business Support, where he led cross-functional teams and strengthened internal systems and reporting.

Mark also brings corporate experience from the Trinity Mirror Newspaper Group, where he held roles in systems implementation and business change, and has served in a governance role at Co-op Academy Trust, supporting policy and compliance audits.

He offers a strong track record in leadership, governance, and operational performance, combined with a commitment to supporting young people, aligning closely with the mission of The People’s Learning Trust.