Our Executive Team
Emma Bradshaw OBE
Executive Principal/Chief Executive Officer
Emma is the Executive Principal, CEO, and Accounting Officer of Alternative Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust. She has been a transformative leader in education since 2006, initially serving as the Headteacher at The Limes College PRU in the London Borough of Sutton. Under her leadership, The Limes College became the founding institution for Alternative Learning Trust, converting to an academy on June 1, 2019.
Emma's educational journey began at the University of Bangor, where she graduated with a B.Ed. 2:1 in 1992, specialising in Outdoor Education, PE, SEND, and multicultural environments. She furthered her expertise with a post-graduate Diploma in SEN/Behaviour, an NPQH, and is currently preparing to pursue an MBA.
Her tenure at The Limes College is marked by significant improvements in teaching quality and student attainment. Emma has been instrumental in enhancing expectations and developing a comprehensive range of qualifications and pathways for students. Her efforts focus on addressing barriers to learning and facilitating reintegration into mainstream schools.
Throughout her career, Emma has pioneered various interventions, contributing to educational literature with two books: Improving Behaviour and Raising Self Esteem in the Classroom and Walking the Talk. Her work spans therapeutic interventions in PRUs, research on domestic violence impacts, parenting programs, multi-agency collaborations, and restorative approaches to reduce exclusions.
Before 2006, Emma worked across different educational phases, specialising in behaviour support services and provisions for excluded pupils. Her innovative approach included learning outside the classroom, targeted work, and training around inclusion issues for at-risk children. She has also coordinated the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Knowsley Local Authority and at school level in Hounslow, showcasing her passion for outdoor education.
Emma's leadership extends beyond her immediate roles. She represents secondary schools, special schools, and PRUs on various Local Authority forums, including the Local Safeguarding Partnership, CAMHS Partnership Boards, and Early Help Boards. She is the Vice Chair of the Secondary Heads’ Group in one LA and has led the development of Fair Access Panels and Vulnerable Pupils’ Panels.
Her commitment to partnership work and multi-agency collaboration is evident in her contributions to the AP and SEND Greenpaper and its implementation. Emma actively participates in strategic groups across Local Authorities and engages with national stakeholder groups to influence policy and practice. Her involvement includes giving evidence to the Education Select Committee and contributing to the Domestic Abuse Bill, highlighting the importance of trauma-informed practice within Alternative Learning Trust.
Emma's dedication to inclusive education is recognised at both regional and national levels. She is a member of the London Region Advisory Board and continually supports the development of inclusive policies and practices, ensuring a positive impact on the education system.
Emma’s contribution to Education was recognised with an OBE in 2019 and she was happy to accept this on behalf of the teams she has led and the sector she represents. Emma has always been part of a Team and believes that leading is about serving others and acknowledging the Team rather than the individual.
David Ward – Deputy CEO and Director of School Improvement
BA (Hons), PGCE (ICT), MA, NPQH
David is the Deputy CEO and Director of School Improvement for Alternative Learning Trust. He has over 27 years’ teaching experience and brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of education to the Trust’s leadership team. His background spans a wide range of roles and responsibilities, giving him a strong foundation for shaping the Trust’s strategic direction and driving excellence across all areas.
Passionate about innovation, David leads projects that strengthen our estate and ICT strategies, aiming to create a modern, technology-rich learning environment.
David played a pivotal role within the Trust as a Behaviour Hub programme lead, promoting a positive and inclusive school culture. Through the Behaviour Hubs initiative, we collaborated with and supported thirteen schools across the country.
David is a Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) trainer and has previous experience as an Advanced Team Teach trainer. Through these roles, David supports staff development by equipping educators with effective strategies for managing classroom dynamics.
With experience in both mainstream and specialist settings, David offers valuable insight into curriculum design, teaching methods, and targeted interventions. His focus on data and assessment ensures we remain committed to evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes.
Beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, David is a strong advocate for lifelong learning. He actively engages in research and professional development to stay ahead of emerging trends and best practice in education.
David’s dedication to excellence and continuous improvement reflects the Trust’s mission to empower learners and inspire achievement at every level.
Christopher Cann - Chief Finance Officer
AdvDipBFM (CIPFA)
Christopher serves as the Chief Finance Officer for Alternative Learning Trust, bringing over 38 years of extensive financial leadership to the organisation. Christopher’s career spans several high-profile public sector institutions, including senior roles within the NHS, the London Borough of Sutton, Metropolitan Police Service and Security Services.
Christopher is a strong advocate for financial transparency and literacy. Christopher is committed to developing financial awareness across all levels of the Trust. His strategic focus centres on maximising available funding and optimising resources to ensure the greatest possible impact on pupil outcomes and educational excellence.
In his current role, Christopher works directly with the trust and individual schools to navigate complex legislative and statutory obligations. He oversees the Trust’s rigorous financial governance framework, managing both internal and external auditing processes to ensure the highest standards of accountability and integrity in the Trust’s financial statements.
To learn more about our financial governance, you can view our annual reports and accounts under the Key Information section of this website.
Pamela Edwards - Executive Compliance Lead & Governance Advisor
Pamela joined the staff team at The Limes College in 2008, having previously worked for 15 years in corporate governance in the City of London and for 10 years as an Executive Assistant at the London headquarters of a leading global professional services company. In February 2021, Pamela was awarded the CGI Level 4 Certificate in Academy Governance, a qualification which is designed to meet the specific needs for effective academy trust compliance and governance. Pamela holds a lead role in compliance to ensure that the statutory, legal, and regulatory responsibilities of the trust are fulfilled. Pamela also has an in-depth knowledge of governance, both at trust and school level, providing expert advice and guidance on the recruitment, induction, and development of Members, Trustees and Governors, and supporting improvement where needed. Pamela has comprehensive knowledge and understanding of how strong compliance and governance enable ethical leadership and improvement and support strategic trust growth.
Lisa Parry - Human Resources Manager
Lisa started working for the Behaviour Support Team in Sutton in 2006 before joining The Limes College in 2007. Lisa has extensive knowledge of the administrative functions of a school and has previously undertaken attendance, finance, timetabling and payroll duties. She was also the Office Manager and Examinations Officer for a period of time. Prior to this, Lisa worked for a company where she was employed as a Pensions Executive managing overseas pensions.
In 2013, Lisa was awarded a Level 4 Diploma in Certificate of School Business Management (CSBM) followed by the Level 5 Certificate in Human Resource Management (CIPD) in 2017.
Lisa is responsible for delivering a professional HR service throughout Alternative Learning Trust. Her passion is ensuring the well-being of all employees and that everyone is treated fairly and equally.
Astrid Searle - Chief Operations Officer
Astrid moved to the UK in 1995, following the completion of a degree in International Business, graduating top 5% in the year (Summa Cum Laude). She is a PQ Chartered Certified Accountant. Astrid worked for a Swedish company in the City of London for over 10 years, advancing to Assistant Chief Finance Officer when she chose to take a career break to focus on family commitments.
Upon her return to work, Astrid branched into the education sector, working as a School Business Manager for over ten years at Saffron Valley Collegiate. She has since been awarded a Diploma in School Business Management and obtained her IOSH qualification, both of which have supported her development to the role of Chief Operations Officer for Alternative Learning Trust. She is excited about the development in the AP/PRU sector and is looking forward to continuing to improve opportunities and outcomes for our pupils.
Astrid works with teams across all our schools, focussing on providing safe, compliant and inspiring spaces to support our pupils to flourish.