Robert Gerrard

I joined the Greenshaw Learning Trust in January 2025, bringing with me 19 years of experience across various schools and trusts. The reason I chose GLT was simple: I felt a profound alignment with their approach. It was clear from the start that this was an environment that would allow me to be the leader I wanted to be, offering a level of support and professional development I hadn't previously encountered, with the expertise to help me improve. 

My journey began as a School Improvement Lead, where I was immediately struck by (amongst other things) the Trust’s unique focus on rewarding students and creating a sense of belonging. I gained invaluable experience alongside the expert team that led the transformation of Hartland High. Seeing those systems in action as part of a wider trust was and is an inspiration for me, and the collaboration between schools, trust shared services and staff is second to none. I was able to carry that momentum forward into my role as Deputy Headteacher at Oakbank School, where I continued to implement those same rigorous, successful processes. Just one year after joining the Trust, in January 2026, I was honored to be appointed Headteacher at Oakbank.

The Trust is unlike anything I have experienced in my career. It is:

• Driven and Precise: There is a clarity of mission that ensures everyone is moving in the same direction.

• Supportive, Collaborative and Clear: You are never leading in isolation; the framework provides the "how," but allows you the space to lead with heart.

• Values-Led: Above all, GLT underpins the exact values I want for Oakbank School: Work hard, be kind.

Being part of GLT means being part of a culture that is as ambitious for its staff as it is for its students. I am incredibly proud to lead a school within a Trust that balances such high expectations with a genuine, human touch.