Trustees

Delyse Turrell

Chair of Trustees

Delyse has thirty-six years teaching experience in primary schools across North East Lincs. Her most recent role was principal of a large primary school in the centre of Grimsby. Delyse’s previous leadership roles include Early Years, SEND, improving behaviour and attendance and working alongside leadership teams in other schools to develop reading provision. Education has been a significant and rewarding part of Delyse’s life and the opportunity to become a Trustee of Enquire Learning Trust on retirement from teaching, is a great privilege and an opportunity to continue to contribute to the education of young people.

Darren Holmes

Darren leads the development of the Enquire Learning Trust. In this capacity works with leaders, teachers, local governors and other professionals to enhance leadership, develop teaching and learning, facilitate improvement, foster transformation and generate quality outcomes for young people. Developing effective approaches to collaboration lies at the heart of Darren’s leadership and the work of the Trust. Darren is an experienced leader, coach and facilitator. His specialism is in developing practice, provision and opportunity through reflection on action, enquiry based learning and powerful communities of practice. He has written on a range of leadership issues for journals and national publications and has presented at national and international research conventions. He is an experienced designer of professional development and has a passion for unlocking the potential of others. Darren has made a key contribution to work at regional and national level through the National College, DfE and TDA. His previous experience includes more than 20 years as a teacher, school leader and senior local authority officer. He has worked as a researcher and facilitator for the National College. Together with Ronnie Woods he co-created Enquire in 2006. Darren is a Yorkshire emigre living in the North East. He is married to Suzanne and they have three fantastic children who provide a crucial perspective on learning. In his spare time he reads widely, tends a wildlife garden, walks a dog, plays football and picks a mean guitar!

Jim Cassidy

Originally from Falkirk, Jim left school and entered a career in retail, working the length and breadth of the country and eventually settling in Cleethorpes as Branch Trading Manager. In 1999 Jim decided to settle in Cleethorpes and began a career in financial services. In 2001 Jim opened Argyle Estate Agents and Financial Services Ltd in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, a company which he still operates today. Jim is also a Director of Argyle Lettings Ltd.

Ron Kirk

Ron Kirk has a strong business background. He works as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Adviser and is currently represents for Great Ayton as a member of Hambleton District Council. He works closely with the Member of Parliament for the Richmond constituency and is Chair of the Richmond Conservative Association.

Sarah Smith

Sarah leads the Cultural Development Fund programme in Grimsby for North East Lincolnshire Council. This fund has 4 ambitious inter-related strands of activity (public realm, hub and workspace, business development and creative programme) to unlock economic growth and productivity, strengthen local leadership and be truly place-changing. Prior to this, Sarah spent nearly 20 years in various roles in Human Resources as a generalist and leader focussed on coaching, enabling, facilitating, motivating and developing others’ in their practice. Naturally determined, passionate and committed, she’s also an executive member of her local scout group contributing to their charitable aims and vision, a regular runner and travels near and far to discover treasure in plastic containers aka geocaching! Married to Paul, Sarah is also mum to two children who provide an insight into how good educational and wider learning provision provide opportunities, aspiration and ambition to young people.

Chris Holland

I am an ex primary school head teacher with 43 years spent working in a variety of educational settings. I have worked in a number of primary and middle schools as well as a variety of roles teaching and tutoring within a university setting. I have always understood the advantages of schools working together in order to share and develop good practice and support each other. I spent 5 years working as a team member for an Education Action Zone (EAZ) with a brief of developing teaching and learning across KS 2 and 3 including developing wide ranging transition initiatives and Gifted and Talented Summer schools. While a head teacher I helped lead a very successful Network Learning Community of 13 primary and 2 secondary schools supported by the NCSL , After leaving headship I worked as an independent consultant supporting an Excellence in Cities project for two years as well as a variety of local and national projects involving school and learning improvement. I had a number of roles at Hull University working with students on a number of courses including the PGCE, B.ED and M.ED, working with students training to be the next generation of teachers in the Hull and East Riding area. I have two grown up children and one grandson (for the moment) and am a lover of all sports, initially training as a P.E. teacher. I currently enjoy playing golf at home and abroad and spend a great deal of time on my allotment. I am a lifelong supporter of Hull City football club and have enjoyed (I think!) the more recent success of the Premier League and Wembley appearances.

Andrew Skiffington

Mandy Taylor

Mandy was a late starter in education and over fifteen years worked her way up from a teaching assistant to her most recent appointment as the principal of a large, inner city primary school. Alongside this, Mandy has always maintained a keen interest in the effective teaching of mathematics for children and trained as a Primary Mastery Maths Specialist with the National Centre for the Excellent Teaching of Mathematics. In September 2023, Mandy took up a new position within the NCETM as Associate Director for Targeted Support in Mathematics.

Lesley Bowser

Lesley left school and worked in banking in Hull for 10 years. As a mum of 2 children, Lesley changed careers and worked as a self-employed registered childminder for the Local Authority for 6 years, a Primary School Teaching Assistant and following a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care & Education, progressed to be an Early Years Portage Practitioner for 21 years. Her Portage work was with SEND children from birth in the family home directly with parent/carers and any professionals supporting the child/family, including transitioning into Nursery or School. Lesley has also worked in a number of voluntary roles in the Community. Lesley first became aware of The Enquire Learning Trust when her daughter Kristina started her NQT at Southcoates Academy in 2014. Lesley has recently taken early retirement from the Portage Service and is honored be given an opportunity to join the Trust to continue to support children through early intervention and fulfil her passion and belief in the potential of all children working with families and the team around the child to be the best they can.

Matthew Knox

Matthew has held leadership roles in primary schools in Sheffield, focusing on curriculum and support for disadvantaged pupils. He led a school to outstanding judgement and supported other schools within a multi-academy trust. Matthew has also been designated as a National Leader of Education and has experience in school-to-school support through the improvement fund and pupil premium reviewer. He has worked as a HMI and specialist adviser for Ofsted, advising on policy, training, and written reports nationally, with a specialization in safeguarding, early years practice, and curriculum impact. Matthew is currently CEO of Inspire Partnership Multi Academy Trust, based in Wakefield.