Trust Leadership

Jonathan Taylor is the founding CEO of Sapientia Education Trust (SET)

Previously Jonathan served as Principal and Executive Principal of Wymondham College, delivering record breaking ‘A’ level and GCSE outcomes, significantly improving both attainment and progress measures at GCSE and ‘A’ level.  In both 2015 and 2016 Wymondham College under his leadership was the highest performing non selective state school in the eastern region.  In 2017 he led the College to an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted Social care inspection, with every area evaluated as ‘outstanding.’  During his career he has worked as Vice CEO of a high performing MAT in the East Midlands; Deputy Head of an ‘outstanding’ comprehensive school; Assistant Head at a high performing state boarding school and held pastoral and departmental leadership positions. He has also worked as an Ofsted Inspector.

Jonathan was appointed a National Leader of Education (NLE) in 2016.  The Good Schools Guide described his career as ‘a swift progress, leaving outstanding Ofsted reports in his wake’ and his approach as ‘thoughtful and immensely hard working - yet he hasn’t disappeared in a cloud of management initiatives, preferring lots of contact with pupils and staff.’

Emma Davies Joined Sapientia Education Trust in September 2020. Prior to this she was a Headteacher in a local Norfolk school, where she led the school to achieve an Outstanding judgement under the new Ofsted framework (November 2019). Much of the success of the school was rooted in strategic leadership that embedded consistent practices which was underpinned by a collective self-efficacy.

Prior to this Emma has held many leadership roles including Deputy Headteacher, Safeguard Lead, Literacy Lead, Numeracy Lead and EYFS Lead. She is relentless in her determination to ensure all children receive a world class education and works with school by improving standards and cementing common goals that are consistent in approach, delivered through a Trust wide improvement strategy.

Steven Dewing - Chief Financial Officer joined the Trust in September 2021. Having trained at Larking Gowen as an AAT and ACA audit and accounts junior, he subsequently moved into private healthcare and then the NHS. Steven has over 18 years’ experience in Finance including financial planning, business partnering, statutory reporting, service transformation and process improvement.  

He leads the Finance Team and is supporting the development of the team and the Trust’s financial processes to ensure a high quality of support to schools.

Bob Moorhouse joined Wymondham College as the Bursar in 2007 after a long career in the Royal Air Force

When Sapientia Education Trust was formed in 2016, he assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the delivery of finance services, estate management, Human Resources, Health & Safety and Governance.  He formally stepped down as the Wymondham College Bursar in the summer 2018.  He has previously been a Governor at two other Norfolk Schools and is currently an Honorary Commander at RAF Mildenhall.  He was awarded the MBE in 2016 for services to the Royal Air Force. 

Andrew joined Sapientia Education Trust in January 2023, having previously led significant school improvement as a Headteacher in Ipswich. He has always worked in schools that support a high number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and is committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all children.

Starting as a Science teacher in a challenging school in London, he briefly pursued a career in finance before swiftly returning when he realised how much he had missed working in schools. He went on to gain leadership roles as Head of Science, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. Andrew holds a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oxford and is currently studying for an MBA from University College London. His experience and commitment contribute to Sapientia Education Trust’s mission of ensuring that every child flourishes.

Tina Smith joined Wymondham College as Human Resource Manager in 2010

Her business acumen and leadership experience is wide-ranging and encompasses both public and private sector organisations.  She has experience of managing small and large teams in both the NHS and one of the leading four food retailers.

Tina holds over 16 years’ experience in HR, including resourcing and talent management, employee relations, performance and reward and organisational development.  

Since becoming the Human Resource Director for Sapientia Education Trust she has developed the central SET HR team to ensure the delivery of a high class HR and payroll service to all the schools across the Trust.   She believes that firm foundations and positive relationships are built on trust, working collaboratively and being a positive role model.