All Saints Schools Trust

Melanie Barrow

(CEO)

Melanie started teaching in 2002 after completing a degree in English Literature and Philosophy, and her PGCE. She became a Headteacher in 2007 and has a sustained, highly successful track record of school improvement. As a National Leader of Education she has worked with vulnerable schools supporting system leadership.

She has a long held interest in special Educational Needs and has a Masters Degree in Special Needs/ Inclusive Education. Her research focuses included researching effective strategies to cater for pupils with Autism.

Melanie has acted as an Ambassador for Headship for the National College of School Leadership and has a particular interest in Initial Teacher Training, leading in this area and establishing links with various local providers.

She often acts in the Executive Headteacher role across several schools including to support schools in Special Measures. She was the leader of Stradbroke Primary when it received NTCL Designated Support school status. She lead several schools to Outstanding judgements.

Melanie passionately believes in the transformative value of education on the life changes of every child. She strives to develop equality of educational opportunity for all and inclusivity is a central focus of schools she leads.

She was a founder member of the All Saints Schools Trust and has been CEO of the Trust since its inception in 2018.

Claire Flatman

(Director of West. Executive Headteacher at Wortham)

Claire qualified in 1998 and has taught in London and in the North of Ireland before settling in Suffolk. She is an experienced Executive Headteacher and Director of Education at All Saints Multi Academy Trust, where she provides strategic leadership and supports school improvement across the trust. Claire is also a Local Leader of Education (LLE) and is recognised as a leader with a proven track record of driving positive change and raising standards.

Her particular interests include inclusive practice, ensuring that children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are given the opportunities and support needed to achieve their full potential. Claire also has a passion for curriculum design and effective assessment, working to ensure teaching and learning is of the highest quality. Through her leadership, she has fostered positive and collaborative school cultures where staff feel empowered and pupils are inspired to succeed.

Paul Parslow-Williams

(Director of East. Executive Headteacher Benhall and Dennington)

Paul started teaching in Norfolk primary schools in 1998 following an earlier career as a Marine Biologist. He is currently the Director of Education for the East and Executive Headteacher of Benhall St Mary's and Dennington Primary Schools. Prior to taking up school leadership, Paul held the post of Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of East Anglia for seven years, where he was involved in both educational research and teacher training. He has published on a range of topics including behaviour, computing and mathematics. Paul’s particular interests include Primary STEM and curriculum design. He is also passionate about SEND and was previously a Trustee for Down's Syndrome Norfolk. Paul has supported schools in multiple areas through his role as a LLE. 

Marc Gilbert

(Executive Headteacher Cockfield & Great Whelnetham)

After successfully completing his degree in Education in 2012, Marc began his teaching journey in his hometown of Colchester in Essex. Here he gained valuable experience teaching experience including working with professionals teaching hearing impaired children. In 2020, he was awarded the Degree of Master of Education and his Senior Leadership Degree.

Daryl Jones

(Executive Headteacher Laxfield, Stradbroke and Thorndon )

After completing his four-year BEd degree at Westminster College, Oxford in 1996, Daryl started teaching in his home county of Hertfordshire. After teaching in two large town schools, he relocated to Suffolk in 2003, taking on the role of Deputy Headteacher in a village primary school. Since then, Daryl has successfully led a range of small and large community and church schools across Suffolk and Norfolk.

Hayley Clarke

(Headteacher Hardwick Primary School) 

Hayley Clarke is the Headteacher at Hardwick Primary School, bringing with her a wealth of leadership experience from her previous role as Head of School at Wortham. She is deeply passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential. Hayley’s commitment to inclusive education is at the heart of her leadership, shaping a nurturing and aspirational school community.

Kirsten Steele

(Acting Executive Head Teacher - Ickworth Park & Sexton's Manor from 5th April 2025)​

​Kirsten is the Acting Executive Headteacher of Ickworth Park Primary and Sextons Manor Primary Schools in Bury St Edmunds. She began her career with a Foundation Studies course in Art & Design at Kingston University and later earned a BA in Theology and Religion from Exeter University. Kirsten then completed a graduate management program with Jaeger, gaining leadership and problem-solving skills while working in Hong Kong, Shanghai and London. She later earned a PGCE from the University of Suffolk in 2008 and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 2020. Kirsten has gained extensive experience in various primary schools across Suffolk, holding a range of leadership roles and also working as a dedicated teacher across all primary year groups. Kirsten is committed to closing the attainment gap and creating inclusive school environments where all children can thrive. Her diverse background in management, education and international experience informs her balanced approach to leadership.

Mark Taylor

(Executive Headteacher Charsfield & Fressingfield)

Mark is currently the Executive Headteacher of Charsfield & Fressingfield Primary Schools and has been a teacher for 21 years. His career started in a multicultural East London secondary school before moving to Suffolk.

He has worked in both mainstream and special schools, and have has a headteacher since 2011. Since joining Fressingfield Primary he has led the school from Requires Improvement to Good in 2017.

During his career he has also served as a school governor in a primary school for four years.

Gemma Watts

(Executive Headteacher St Peter & St Paul - Eye & Occold)

Gemma qualified as a teacher in 2011 and since then has been passionate about outdoor learning, early years and inclusion. She has worked as an SLE since 2017 and has supported teachers with a focus on early years and maths.

Over the years, Gemma has spent her summers in a rural area of Uganda where she worked to set up a school, supported staff with their training and developed a sponsorship program to enable more children to access education. This has also been transformative in the way that she teaches back at home.

Gemma completed her NPQH and has been Headteacher at St Peter and St Paul School in Eye since January 2022. She is passionate about further developing the school’s Forest School provision and making use of the outdoor environment to enable all children to have access to high quality outdoor learning.

Karen Preece

(Chief Finance Officer)

Karen holds a business degree with finance/accountancy specialisation and previously worked as an analyst in UK and international corporate banking for over 10 years. More recently, her finance skills were transferred to run her own business alongside working in the education sector as a primary school bursar. Being a parent and living locally to all the ASST schools has given Karen has a good knowledge of how important rural village schools are.

Karen has also been a Governor for several years at the All Saints Church Schools Federation (All Saints Laxfield and Stradbroke Church of England Primary Schools).