Gwyn ap Harri

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for:

• Finance & Legal compliance - Accounting Officer for the Trust

• Performance of all schools within XP Trust

• Line manager of all executive functions

Gwyn co-founded XP School alongside Andy Sprakes in 2014 which grew into the XP Trust in 2017.

Before founding XP, Gwyn created the ed-tech company realsmart.co.uk where he designs his learning portfolio software used in hundreds of schools in the UK and around the world. Gwyn has also designed systems for the DfE amongst others, using technology to underpin whole school improvement at a national scale.

Previously, Gwyn led the Computer Science department at Hatfield High School, Doncaster for six years and worked in the technology and music industries during his early career.

Andy Sprakes

Chief Academic Officer

Responsible for:

• The cultural integrity of XP Trust

• Quality of curriculum

Andy was the co-founder of XP alongside Gwyn ap Harri. Andy is the Chief Academic Officer of the XP School Trust and leads on the quality of academic and pastoral curriculums in all schools.

As Principal of XP, Andy led XP to its outstanding Ofsted judgement in September 2017, and XP's first set of excellent GCSE results in 2019.

Previously, Andy was the Head Teacher of Campsmount Academy for eight years, and Deputy Head for four years prior to that.

He led Campsmount out of its fire disaster through its temporary accommodation within the town of Askern, to rebuilding the school and achieving record results at GCSE and A Level in 2013.

Mark Lovatt 

Associate officer for Curriculum (Design),
Implementation, and Assessment secondary subjects

Responsible for:

• Design and effective implementation of curriculum for secondary subjects

• Assessment of impact of designed curriculum (secondary subjects)

Mark was founding Head teacher of XP Gateshead the first XP secondary school outside of Doncaster. XP Gateshead was established in August 2021. XP Gateshead was recently rated as Good overall in its first Ofsted inspection, with Outstanding for Personal Development and Leadership and Management, and Good for Behaviour and Attitudes.

Prior to this he spent 6 years as Principal and CEO of Lord lawson of Beamish Academy in the NE. In addition he is currently Chair of Trustees at Endeavour Trust in Middlesbrough. He has also co authored several books on Teaching and Learning.

Cat Blair

Chief Financial Officer

Cat started her journey at XP with the pioneering students of XP School in September 2014. Her role has changed and grown as the Trust has grown, and she has gone from being the Finance Manager of an Academy with 50 students, to being the Chief Financial Officer of the Trust.

On leaving University in July 2013, Cat worked as an MIS Analyst for an insurance broker where she learnt everything she knows about spreadsheets and formulas - she loves a formula!

Julie Morrell 

Trust Governance Professional

Julie coordinates meetings, events, conferences and calendars for the Trust, and in her Governance role, deals with all aspects of Governance, Trust-wide.

Julie started working in a bank as soon as she left school at 16. This was just until she figured out what to do with the rest of her life! However, she remained working in the bank for 20 years. After having two boys, Ben, now 19, and Tom, 15, she went back to work part time, but decided to do something else so that she could attend sports days, Christmas concerts and other school activities.

She started a local community magazine called The Hatfield Arrow and went on to build a company with two friends, called Arrow Publications Ltd. They produce magazines around Doncaster and now have eight magazines in total. After 10 years working from home Julie felt that she would like a new challenge. Her son attended XP School so she volunteered as a learning coach for six months after which time a vacancy became available to work in the office. She has now been working at XP since 2018.

Michelle Jones

Trust Facilities and Risk Management Lead

Michelle joined XP March 2015 as the Digital Curator. Her role has changed and grown over the last few years and Michelle is now the Trust Facilities and Risk management Lead.
After Michelle gained a degree in Business Studies at Sheffield Hallam University she started her career working as a senior MIS analyst at Direct Group in Doncaster.

Gary Brown

Projects & Maintenance Manager 

Gary joined XP in January 2021 into the role of Projects & maintenance manager.  Gary came to XP after a long career as a self-employed electrical engineer, specialising in installing data networks, security systems, Audio/Video and home automation. It was in this previous role that Gary first worked in XP by installing the classroom and drama screens as the school was being built and continued to support with electrical maintenance and alterations as needed.

Caroline Greening

Trust Business Manager

Caroline joined Norton in 2010. She started her career as a Finance Assistant in National Accounts at British Coal.  Moving to the voluntary sector "Action for Children" as a Business Support Officer.  She was appointed as a School Improvement Officer for Doncaster Council a role which she had for a number of years and this ultimately led to her taking the School Business Manager role at Norton using the knowledge which she had gleaned during her years at the council. 

Helen Lythe

Trust Business Manager

Data Protection Officer
Contact dpo@xptrust.org

Helen gained a BSc Honours degree in Food Marketing Management from Sheffield Hallam University and started her Career in the Food industry in 2009. After developing a successful career within the food industry Helen decided in 2020 that she wanted a career change and started her role as Business Manager at Carcroft Primary School. In September 2021 the school joined XP Trust and Helen's role developed further supporting all schools within the trust and lead on monthly finance.