Peterborough education trust chief announces retirement

Julie Taylor has been the Chief Executive of Thomas Deacon Education Trust (TDET) since the Trust’s formation in 2016 and was Principal at Thomas Deacon Academy for three years prior to this.

Julie said: “When I took up post as Chief Executive and Principal of Thomas Deacon Academy in 2013, I could not have dreamt that I would be leading such a strong, values-led organisation as TDET is today.

“Eight years on, our Trust has an annual income of £40 million, manages assets valued at £53 million and plays a central role in both Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. Not only do we employ over 800 people, educate over 5000 children, and secure school improvement but we have a reputation for doing things the right way, not the easy way.

“While I will be sad to leave and will miss our wonderful staff and children, I have decided that now is the right time for me to retire and begin the next chapter of my life, spending more time with my family. It has been an honour to work with such high-quality leaders and I am so grateful to have been supported by some truly excellent people.”

Richard Barnes, Chair of Trustees of TDET, said: “Everyone that has met Julie has always been struck by the vision, passion, and commitment she has for all young people. She has poured her heart and soul into building a partnership of schools where these values and its people are at the very centre of everything we do.

“There is absolutely no doubt that Thomas Deacon Education Trust is in a strong and enviable position and we should all be very proud of what we have achieved so far. I want to take this

opportunity to thank Julie for her role in helping us to establish this and for leaving us in a position where we can look forward with confidence as we enter the Trust’s next phase.

“Within the next year the Trustees will begin to develop our new strategic plan that will define our direction for the next five years (2022 – 2027). The appointment of a new CEO will be pivotal to this. The new CEO, with a fresh pair of eyes and new ideas, will work closely with the whole team and help us to evolve that strategy, in a way that builds on our strengths and values, but equips us for the challenges ahead.

“The Trustees have already begun the formal process of recruiting a new CEO. In the meantime, Julie remains our CEO and I have no doubt that she will continue to be as active, passionate, and committed to the Trust as she was on her first day right through to the end.”

The Trust provides support for Thomas Deacon Academy, Queen Katharine Academy, Gladstone Primary Academy, Upwood Primary Academy, Warboys Primary Academy, Welbourne Primary Academy, and Richard Barnes Academy.