Our Team
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 have recently been appointed as an Ofsted Inspector, with the remit to inspect across the primary and secondary sector. I 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.
John Slater - Trust Teaching & Learning Lead
I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University College in 2006 with a BA (Hons) in History and Education. I then completed a Primary PGCE in 2007. I am an experienced primary school teacher, Deputy Headteacher and SLE. Recently, I completed my National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and also became an Ofsted Inspector. In my 15 years of working in education, I have had the pleasure of working in a variety of different primary schools, which has enabled me to develop a wide skills-set and a passion and determination to ensure that all children have access to the best possible opportunities alongside high quality teaching. As a Deputy Headteacher and SLE, I have been regularly deployed by teaching schools and the Local Authority to support individual teachers and School Leaders who were experiencing challenges. Through listening to the experiences and the ideas of others as well as putting my own ideas and initiatives in place, I have developed a deeper understanding of when to lead and when to encourage others to lead. I have found this to be crucial in developing teacher and colleague confidence as well as being key in inspiring further developments.
Kirstyn Moffat - Trust Lead Practitioner
I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste College with a BA (Hons) in English with Qualified Teacher Status, and continued my studies early in my teaching career graduating again from Bishop Grosseteste College with a first class Master’s Degree in Education and Management, and followed this by achieving my National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). I have taught in a range of primary and nursery schools across all age groups from Nursery to Year 6, and have been an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School and a Headteacher. During my time as a Headteacher I trained with the local authority to become a Consultant Headteacher supporting colleagues across the county, and I worked for Bishop Grosseteste College as a part-time tutor for PGCE Students on school placements. I have worked for the local authority as a full-time Senior Adviser ensuring the effective implementation of the EYFS in school and nurseries. I have been a Governor of both primary and secondary schools as well as being Chair of Governors for two primary schools. I have taken part in a range of research projects over the past five years where I have trialled and tested new teaching techniques and strategies in the classroom from both overseas and here in the U.K. improving the opportunities we provide for children to learn and achieve. This year I will have been working in education for 30 years, and throughout all this time my drive has been to ensure every child receives the best possible education allowing them to grow and develop reaching their own potential feeling supported and valued.
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.
Shirley Jeffs - Governance & Compliance Officer
After working in Banking and Financial Services, I joined a large school as PA to the Director of Operations and then Compliance Manager. During my 20+ years in the Education sector, I have developed wide-ranging skills and qualifications including Administration, Governance, Health & Safety, Operations, Premises/Estates and Transport. I am looking forward to working in the Central Team and sharing my skills and knowledge to assist all members of the Trust.
Jenny Sargeant - Finance & HR Officer
I began my working life within a Credit Control department for a large company based in Lincoln. From here, I moved to a Credit Control Management role and managed a small team to ensure our Sales Ledger was kept up to date. I would regularly compile financial reports for the board of directors and advise on any areas of concern. Following the arrival of my children, I took up an Administration role within a primary school which kept me very busy! The opportunity arose to join the Core Services Team at Infinity Academies Trust and I am looking forward to continuing my career with them.
Karen Griffiths - Finance & HR Officer
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 Team at Infinity Academies Trust for a Finance and HR Office. I am delighted to be continuing this next part of my journey with the Trust and look forward to supporting the family of schools within the Trust in this role.
Audrey Martin - Operations Officer
I started my working life 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 am excited to continue my career at Infinity Academies Trust.
Tom Woodward - Finance Assistant
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.
Academy Leaders
Gipsey Bridge Primary Academy - Miss Kirstyn Moffat (Interim Head)
Leadenham CE Primary Academy - Mr Matthew Nicholson
Little Gonerby CE Primary Academy - Mr Joe Hawkins
Long Bennington CE Primary Academy - Mr David Nicholson
Pinchbeck East CE Primary Academy - Mr Andrew Raistrick
Spalding Primary Academy - Mr Andrew Raistrick
Spilsby Primary Academy - Miss Kirstyn Moffat (Interim Head)
St Nicholas CE Primary Academy - Mrs Fiona Booth
St Thomas' CE Primary Academy - Miss Joanne Sharples
Wyberton Primary Academy - Ms Sarah Paul