Our Team

Jim Adams – Chief Executive Officer

Jim has successfully worked in education for 23 years, 16 of those in senior leadership. He began his career in a large secondary school in North London where he eventually became Head of Sixth Form. He has experience of working in schools and Trusts in a variety of contexts, rural and urban, from early years to post 16. His first positon as Headteacher was with Litcham School, a rural all-through (EYFS-16) school. Following that, Jim was appointed as Headteacher of Hobart High School in South Norfolk. He is currently CEO of Clarion Academy Trust, a family of one primary and two secondary schools. Jim is also Chair of ‘Educate Norfolk’, the professional association for Norfolk Headteachers. 

Phil Kirby – Trust Estates Manager

Phil has over 30 years’ experience in construction, property and health and safety management. He has worked in a variety of different industry sectors such as: commercial construction, hospitality and education. He has taught Construction Management and Health and Safety both in Further Education and as Director of a regional training provider. He is currently the Estates and Health and Safety Manager for Clarion Academy Trust.

 

Mike Quantrill – Trust Standards Officer

Mike has taught for 28 years in a variety of secondary schools across Norfolk and Suffolk and is a very experienced senior leader. In this time, he has held various roles which have focused on school improvement. His particular areas of expertise are in curriculum development, assessment and the use of school data. Throughout his career Mike has had a strong commitment to improving the life chances of pupils and facilitating the best outcomes for all. Mike’s role as Standards Officer is integral in supporting the schools in Clarion Academy Trust with this aim by providing the support needed to raise standards further. 

Peter Collins – Trust Business Manager

Peter has 28 years commercial banking experience and has been working in schools for 11 years.  He was formerly Business Manager at Synergy MAT taking it from LA control through single academy status and on to MAT status with eight schools.  Peter is a former Chair, founder member and is currently a committee member of Association of Business Management in Norfolk Schools. He is also a member of the DfE Schools Commercial Team. Peter is also a Director of the Papillon Project a new charity formed to help secondary schools set up allotments and director of a small private limited company.

Lorraine Crabb – Trust Administration Manager

Lorraine has 19 years of experience in administration.  She has worked across the public sector including Health, Local Government and Education.  Most recently, Lorraine was instrumental in the setting up of Clarion Academy Trust administration support.  This included the coordination and integration of provision across all three of our schools.  Her current role includes managing the Single Central Records across all schools, Human Resources management, oversight of Trust websites and maintaining all personnel records and paperwork.