Our Founders
Dr Jo Saxton, Founder
Jo is passionate about the role of education in changing lives and contributing to regeneration.
'We do the most important job in the world, in my view. In schools we have the chance to enhance lives by developing knowledgeable and skilled young people who can themselves become agents of change. As Malala put it ‘One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world‘
Jo holds a wealth of experience, ranging from primary and secondary in maintained and Academy schools. Jo was previously CEO of Future Academies, a high-performing group of schools (2 Ofsted Outstanding primary schools, 1 Good primary school, and 1 Outstanding secondary school) in south London founded by Lord and Lady Nash.
Jo has been involved with the reform of the National Curriculum under the Labour, Coalition and Conservative governments. Her great passions are the arts, history and classics, having begun her career as a university academic. Her art book for children, ‘Snail Trail’, has been widely translated to reach children around the world.
The Outstanding teacher training programme which Jo founded at Future Academies, was recently ranked no.3 in England by students.
A sample of reports on education by Jo:
TWENTY-TWO THINGS EXCELLENT SCHOOLS DO
Professor Carl Lygo, Founder
Carl was founding Vice Chancellor (VC) and CEO of BPP, the university group for the professional services, a board member of HEFCE/Office for Students and he is an experienced leader of educational improvement and expansion. He is a qualified Barrister, and in addition to private practice, he formerly lectured in law at Leeds and London universities and is a Professor of English Common Law. He is also the Chairman of the Association of Cost Lawyers Training and a Non-Executive Director of the leading Sports University College, UCFB.
'For me education is a personal mission as I was the first person in my family to obtain a qualification and go on to University. Intelligence is not some happy accident of birth nor is it the preserve of the wealthy. We all have the potential to be successful and education plays that crucial role in helping to unlock potential and provide better choices for our journey in life. At Turner Schools we believe passionately that the best education is a knowledge rich curriculum with clear expectations set for every child. I am excited to be involved in helping every child in Folkestone reach their full potential.'
Carl has experience of leading Post 16 education having served as a Director of Mander Portman Woodward (MPW), independent sixth form college group based in London, Birmingham and Cambridge.