Dan Parkes Email & Phone Number

Appointed CEO of the Multi Academy Trust in March 2019.With an ambitious vision for social justice and social mobility for Walsall and the wider West Midlands conurbation, I am responsible for leading the Trust's unique and diverse family of then 6, now 9, schools. With a mandate to build on our schools' history of academic success and culture of innovation in technical and vocational education under my leadership students in Mercian schools benefit from an expertly-delivered ambitious curriculum and experiential learning that prepares them for a challenging, highly flexible economy in the multicultural community they will live and work. Through effective collaboration - and demonstrating our commitment to each other - we INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES and IMPROVE OUTCOMES for students in all our schools. Our highest academic achievers secure places at the very best universities, conservatoires and specialist colleges and those with the greatest practical aptitudes secure technical vocational awards that are valued by employers and progress on apprenticeship pathways with flagship employers.

Walsall Studio School is one of the five founding academies of the Mercian Trust (MAT).While continuing to lead the studio school I am also leading the Trust's work to establish new free schools including the Ladder School (Alternative Provision Free School) scheduled to open in the 2018/19 academic year. The Ladder School shares its name with the Ladder apprenticeship campaign - an initiative which encourages businesses of all sizes in the region to work together and help give young people the opportunity to prosper in their organisations. The Ladder foundation will support the Ladder School by:• contributing to curriculum development• securing placements and work experience opportunities for students• developing the knowledge and awareness of apprenticeships within the school• supporting staff through the provision of high quality CPDMore information about the Ladder School can be found on the consultation websitehttp://ladderschool.org

West Midlands, England, United Kingdom

Formerly known as headteacher boards, ABs are responsible for advising and challenging DFE regional directors on decisions delegated by the Secretary of State.

London, England, United Kingdom

Advisory support to ministers and officials in the Department for Education (national education policy development and implementation).

Sandwell, England, United Kingdom

Leading a small Trust of 3x secondary schools in Sandwell in a formal Trust Partnership and into a Trust Merger Transfer into The Mercian Trust.

Founding Principal leading the pre-opening, opening and pioneering phases of the Black Country's first and only Studio School for 14-19 year olds. During the first two years of operation Walsall Studio School has celebrated many successes including:- Securing Good Ofsted Judgement (with outstanding features)- Appointed Lead School for the delivery of Level 3 Core Maths (National Pilot)- NCTL designated Lead School for TSST Maths (Re-training of teachers for Maths Specialism)- Winner BTEC Outstanding National Student of the Year (Adrian Bloomer, Media)Ofsted (April 2015):The principal’s inspirational leadership drives a team of very dedicated staff to be ‘pioneers’ of the studio school vision. All staff are very clear that they are contributing to students not only achieving academic success but developing students to become confident adults in the world of work and the community in which they live. This view is widely shared and students clearly understand these values at the heart of their school.A culture of very high expectations permeates this studio school, driven by leaders’ uncompromising belief that all students can reach their potential. As a result, students are very well prepared for the next stage of their lives.The leadership and development of teaching is highly effective. Robust systems are in place to continually review and refine practice, through a skilfully planned programme of training encouraging teachers to innovate and share good practice.In May 2018 the studio school was selected to be one of the pioneering providers to develop and deliver T-Levels (the government's new 'gold standard' qualifications for technical education).