Gavin Booth - Chief Executive Officer

I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste College in 2000 with a BA (Hons) and QTS. I hold the NPQH qualification and am a Local Leader of Education designated through a local Teaching School.  I am an experienced Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and CEO; I have spent over 17 years as a Senior Leader in a variety of primary schools, varying from small village primaries to larger urban junior schools.  I worked for the Local Authority leading on Education Strategy and support for schools experiencing difficulties. In this role, I liaised regularly with Governors, School Leaders, the Department for Education and Multi- Academy Trusts.  I have successfully led schools through Ofsted inspections and academy conversions.  I am a Trustee of the Learning Academy Partnership MAT, a Governor of Boston College and am currently the Chair of Lincolnshire’s School Forum.

The Education Team

Paul K Ainsworth - Education Director

I am an experienced System Leader and Local Leader of Education. I have held roles in four Multi-Academy Trusts including Director of Performance and Standards, Regional Director (primary and secondary), Head of the Teaching School, Chair of Interim Executive Boards (primary and secondary school), Interim Executive Head and Advisor.  I have supported Headteachers and senior leaders of small rural primaries to large 11-18 urban secondary schools. I have worked intensively with those in an OFSTED category, have dipped in results or are in financial deficit.  I have extensive experience of OFSTED inspections, having supported schools through 25 inspections, including three schools which moved from Inadequate to Good.  I have strong facilitation skills through speaking at national conferences including a TEDx and leading a range of leadership programmes for Middle Leaders to Executive Heads including the NPQH through Ambition School Leadership.  I have wide knowledge of current educational issues; authored eight books acted as an ‘expert’ for Optimus Education, written regularly for a number of national publications and am a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Kate Rouse - Education Director

I graduated as a teacher with a Bed (Hons) in Primary Education, from the University of Wolverhampton and have over 20 years’ experience in school leadership.  I have the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and am an experienced headteacher, spending a large proportion of my career leading a large church primary and nursery school, before moving to a Local Authority role as a Consultant Headteacher, supporting leaders at all levels, across large city schools, infant and junior schools, small rural primary schools, and church schools. I have worked hard to maintain strong relationships and effective collaboration with a multitude of partners, including the Diocese of Lincoln, teaching school hubs and subject specialists.  Latterly, I held the interim position of Head of school standards for the Local Authority, which supported the delivery of the strategy for school improvement across all primary and secondary schools in Lincolnshire.

Becky Hopwood - Education Advisor

My teaching career started 27 years ago, after graduating from De Montfort University Bedford with a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education. During this time, I taught all year groups from Foundation Stage to Year 6.

My leadership journey started over 20 years ago and progressed from leading both core and non-core subjects, mentoring NQTs (ECT’s) and coaching colleagues, into Senior Leadership. As a Senior Leader I have been able to refine many skills as an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of Academy, long-term Acting Headteacher and I am currently completing my NPQH.

Each leadership position has afforded a wealth of experiences which I have relished whilst working in Stand Alone and Multi-Academy Trusts. Settings have been varied and include small rural, mixed year group and cross key stage schools, two and three-form entry town primary schools with varied demographics.

Relationships with all adults and children are key to success for all and I have worked hard to forge strong working partnerships in every position I hold. Regardless of changing educational horizons, my core purpose remains constant- caring for children and keeping their best interests at the forefront.

Core Services

Michelle Dales – Operations Director

I am an experienced operational support manager with a background in an educational setting and have supported the school business management functionality and continuity including; administration, finance and procurement, HR, operations, premises and estates management, data management, with an overview of health & safety and compliancy.  Having worked across many areas of the education sector means I have broad and balanced experience and have completed differing roles within these settings which include; General administrative and clerical support, PA Support to the SLT, delivering workshops, supporting and developing the administration function, leading and managing support teams, latterly regionally supporting the back-office functionality of a large MAT to maximise and optimise support functions ensuring the needs of all stakeholders are met.

Jackie Wilson – Finance & HR Director

My career began in banking where I worked in all areas connected to personal and commercial banking customers, in particular providing support with budgeting and debt management.  I have also worked in the Agricultural and Horticultural industries, identifying training needs, sourcing and organising appropriate courses.  I joined St Thomas’ CE Primary in 2010 as the Finance Officer and took over the role of Bursar the following year. I completed the Certificate in School Business Management and became School Business Manager for St Thomas’ and Wyberton Primaries.  Whilst in this role I subsequently completed 3 years of study to gain the AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting.  On conversion to academy status I became the Finance & HR Director and hold the CIPFA Level 7 Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership.

Vicky Want - Finance Manager

I have been working in Education Finance for sixteen years and have completed the Certificate in School Business Management during that time. My background is in accounting and finance, having worked across a variety of industries. After a short break to raise my own children, I joined Spalding Primary as an administrator and eventually became the bursar for them, the onsite nursery and two other local schools with whom we were federated. We joined Infinity Academies Trust in 2021 and I am delighted to be joining the Central Team as Finance Manager in 2024 and hope to bring a wealth of experience to support our schools.

Julie Waters – Assistant Finance Manager

I have worked in education for the past twenty nine years. The first nineteen years I worked at Boston College in various administrative roles, for seven of those years I was their Exams Officer. In 2015 I joined St Thomas’ CE Primary School as their Administrator. After a year and a half I took the position of Finance Administrator for both St Thomas’ and Wyberton Primary Schools. Both these schools joined Infinity Academies Trust in 2019. In 2021 I joined St Nicholas CE Primary Academy as their Bursar, and am now delighted to have joined the Central Team as Assistant Finance Manager. I look forward to working with and supporting all the schools within the Trust. 

Matthew Cooling - HR Manager

My career began in 1989 when I left school and joined a Veterinary Practice working up to the role of Practice Manager. Following this I worked as a Business Manager for 10 years for the Ministry of Defence completing a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies during my spare time. I then spent a couple of years as a School Business Manager in the secondary sector before joining Spalding Primary School in August 2012. In June 2020, I became Business Manager of three schools in the Spalding area – Spalding Primary, Pinchbeck East CE Primary and Surfleet Primary School. Spalding Primary and Pinchbeck East CE Primary School joined Infinity Academies Trust in March 2021. In September 2024 I joined the central team as HR Manager supporting 13 academies within the Trust.

Karen Griffiths - Administration Manager

I started my working life in the finance sector working in a local bank where I worked for many years in a variety of roles.  Following the arrival of my children I began working for the local authority in an administrative role within Children’s Services before moving into Children’s Centres and providing administrative support to the Early Years and Health teams in their delivery of Early Years services for families with children of 0-5years.  In 2018 I began a journey of professional development with a view to progressing my career and was therefore excited when the opportunity arose within the Core Services Central Team at Infinity Academies Trust for a Finance and HR Officer. In September 2024 I was appointed the Administration Manager, providing support to our Administration team as we work together to ensure we provide the best service possible to our family of schools, parents, and children.

Hannah Wheeler - Operations Manager

My career journey began upon leaving college where I joined a local accounting firm, after completing my AAT I took a short break to begin my own family. I then joined Pinchbeck East C of E Primary School where I worked as a Finance Officer providing finance and operations support to Pinchbeck, along with the other 2 schools in the federation. I left Pinchbeck to join a central team for another local MAT. After missing the support Infinity Academies Trust provides its employees, I returned to Infinity as the Bursar at St Thomas’ CE Primary Academy.

 During my time in the Education sector, I have developed a wealth of skills and experience I am eager to share with the Infinity family. I am excited to join the Central Team in the role of Operations Manager, to further deliver the support I found so valuable working in a school setting.

Lisa Hutchinson - Business Manager

I graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA (Hons) in Business Management. I began my career in banking, initially training new staff before moving on to manage a team on the mortgage helpdesk. After taking a break to raise my two children, I joined Haxey CE Primary School as their Business Manager. Following the federation with West Butterwick and St Martin's, I became the Executive Business Manager across all three schools. In September 2024, when we transitioned into an Academy and joined Infinity Academies Trust, I became part of the Central Team. I am excited to continue leveraging my experience to support both Infinity and its schools.

 Shirley Jeffs - Governance & Compliance Officer

My career began in Banking and Financial Services in Leeds and then I moved into the Education sector where I have enjoyed 20+ years working in various support service roles. During this time, I have developed a varied range of skills, qualifications and experience including governance (in Maintained, Independent and MAT sectors), health and safety, and compliance. I relocated to Lincolnshire and joined the Central Team in Spring 2022; I enjoy my role supporting our schools, the Trust Board and the local governance teams.

Audrey Martin - Operations Officer

Working life began for me in 1994 at a local manufacturer in their Quality Assurance Department helping to set up their ISO Quality Assurance Standards.  When these were up and running successfully, I worked in various different roles there, finally being responsible for the administration of the importation of goods into the company from the Middle and Far East.  After 18 years in Industry, I took a total change in direction and joined a local secondary school as a Teaching Assistant in their English Department.  I moved from secondary to primary education after 18 months and spent a very busy 12 months with year 3.  The opportunity then arose to work in the primary SEND department as the administrator, which I proceeded to do for the next 5 years. 

I joined the central team at Infinity Academies Trust in 2021 as the central office Administrator and later became the Operations Officer in 2023 within Core Services.

Tom Woodward - Finance Officer

I am a hardworking and organised individual who has always been interested in the financial side of businesses. This is reflected by my choice of A Levels: Business, Economics and Maths, which I sat in 2023. My interest in finance was further fuelled by a short period of work experience at a local accountant, which led me to consider a career in finance and ultimately to Infinity Academies Trust. I am currently studying the AAT in the hopes of becoming fully qualified so that I can expand my skills in order to better assist the Trust and I am excited to start my working life here.

Becky Ackroyd - HR Officer

I began my working life with Lincolnshire County Council in 2005.  I have worked in various roles within the council starting as a Personal Assistant to the Area Manager of Adult Social Care.  A restructure within the council lead me to a role within Children’s Centres where I worked for 12 years providing administration support to various colleagues from services such as Health and Early Years.  Before joining the trust in September 2024 I went on a short six-month secondment to Haven Cottage Children’s Residential Home which provides short breaks for children with disabilities.  This secondment gave me amazing life experience providing administration support to a new service area for me when I met some amazing children and colleagues, an experience I will cherish forever.

I am looking forward to my next adventure within the Trust as a HR Officer where I hope to gain many more skills, meet new people and provide a great service from the central team.

Sue Weaver - Estates & Compliance Officer

My career began in 1980 when I left school. I worked in a variety of office admin roles before taking a career break to start a family. My 30 year career in education began as Clerk to Governors at my children’s school before joining Tealby Primary School as administrator in the 1990s.

After seven years I moved to a brand new special school in Lincoln as their Office Manager, setting up the school office and office systems from scratch. While there I gained a Diploma in School Business Management and became their School Business Manager.

In 2015 I took up the post of School Business Manager at Spilsby Primary School, a year later the school became an Academy as part of the Infinity Academies Trust family, and I continued the role with them. In September 2024 I became a part of the central team as Estates and Compliance Officer supporting the work of the Operations Team across the Trust.

Academy Leaders

Gipsey Bridge Primary Academy - Miss Kirstyn Moffat 

Haxey CE Primary School - Miss S Melding (Head of School)

Leadenham CE Primary Academy - Mr John Slater (Interim Executive Headteacher)

Little Gonerby CE Primary Academy - Mr Joe Hawkins

Long Bennington CE Primary Academy - Mr David Nicholson

Pinchbeck East CE Primary Academy - Mrs Teeny Vayro (Head of School)

Pinchbeck East CE & Spalding Primary Academy - Executive Headteacher - Mr Andrew Raistrick

Spalding Primary Academy - Miss Samantha Beresford (Head of School)

Spilsby Primary Academy - Mr Matthew Nicholson

St Martin's CE Primary School - Mr R Lyle (Head of School)

St Nicholas CE Primary Academy - Mrs Fiona Booth

St Thomas' CE Primary Academy - Miss Joanne Sharples

West Butterwick CE Primary School - Miss S Melding (Head of School)

West Butterwick, St Martin's & Haxey CE Primary Academy - Executive Headteacher -                      Mr Dan Callaghan

Wyberton Primary Academy - Ms Sarah Paul