Tom is chief executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, one of England’s most established school trusts which serves over 35,000 children in 45 schools across the country, including special, alternative provision, primary and secondary. He has 30 years of experience working in education as a teacher, headteacher and in executive roles, previously at Ambition Institute where he was responsible for the delivery of professional development to over 50,000 teachers and school leaders. Tom has worked in different advisory roles to government, including as chair of the Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion. He is current co-chair of DfE’s Expert Panel for National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages. In 2006, Tom was the founding chair of Ups ‘n’ Downs – a charity supporting families affected by Down’s syndrome.