Meet Our Specialists

Director: Curriculum & Raising Achievement 

Adam is a highly qualified SENCo with over 10 years’ experience in city schools. He takes a personal approach to his work, saying ‘I believe talking in person is key: there’s no substitute for really getting to know the children and families.’ A great addition to our team this year, Adam brings specialist knowledge of autism best practice – having recently established an Autism Resource Provision for a Hackney primary school.

KS5 Mathematics and Raising Achievement

Kate has worked in primary education for over 20 years in the UK and the United States.

She is currently Primary Headteacher at St Mary Magdalene Academy, Islington, following 6 years as Deputy Head across 2 Hackney schools. She has transformed educational outcomes in her current role and has a particular passion for developing pedagogy and practice for mathematics teaching, supporting children to understand mathematical concepts by breaking them down into small steps.

Kate also serves as a school Governor in Redbridge and holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from UCL.

Kate is able to work with schools looking to develop their mathematics curriculum and can provide clear support and advice on staffing challenges, curriculum design and implementation and mentoring of new senior leaders.

Curriculum Leader: Mathematics & Computer Science

Helen is a practising English teacher with 18 years of experience. She has been a Head of House in Barnet and Head of a large English Faculty in Islington. She has 10 years of experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, and is currently Director for Safeguarding, the Preparation for Adult Life curriculum and SIAMs lead at SMMA.

Helen has an astute eye for Safeguarding detail. She has successfully led accreditation for Tender and Nurture UK and is leading the Academy’s attendance strategy, which has most recently been recognised with the FFTs National Attendance Award for 2024-25.

Helen can work with schools wishing to develop their safeguarding practice, PSHE curriculum and attendance strategies.

Secondary Headteacher

Shabaz is currently the Director leading Pedagogy and Practice at SMMA. He has worked in both the pastoral and curriculum areas of secondary education having previously been a Head of Sixth Form and lead on securing and monitoring high-quality Alternative Provision.

Shabaz successfully led an application for the "Quality in Careers Standard Award" and has a strong understanding of developing effective Careers Education. He is also a practising secondary science teacher with a specialism in chemistry.

Shabaz has significant experience of leading the NPQ for Senior Leadership, training the senior leaders of tomorrow. He can support with leadership training at every level, devising programmes for ECTs and working with colleagues as part of a teacher development or capability process.