Rob Lightfoot has over 30 years’ experience of working in educational settings. He took on the role of NACE CEO in 2021, drawing on his experiences from a wide range of senior management roles. Rob led the work on Haybridge High School and Sixth Form being one of the first secondary schools to attain the NACE Challenge Award on three occasions. He also has a number of years’ experience working as a primary school governor.
Rob has delivered training to thousands of teachers and leaders, including courses on curriculum design, mathematics and how to lead on more able provision within an educational setting. He has also worked previously as a Lead Practitioner on Curriculum Design for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Working with NACE’s research institution partners, he has studied the resilience of students in mathematics and the increase of perfectionist characteristics in young adolescents.
As NACE CEO, Rob has a strong focus on the continuous development of NACE’s research and CPD programmes, and on building and maintaining connections with schools across diverse contexts to ensure NACE’s offer remains relevant for all schools. He believes passionately that all learners should have the opportunity to achieve to the very best of their ability, no matter what barriers to learning they may face.
To find out more about upcoming projects at NACE or to discuss opportunities to engage, contact Rob via the NACE office or connect via LinkedIn.
Christabel Shepherd Challenge and Curriculum Development Director
With over 30 years’ experience of teaching in both primary and secondary settings, Christabel Shepherd was most recently Executive Headteacher of Bradford’s Copthorne and Holybrook primary schools. She has extensive experience of leading on school-wide provision for more able learners, having used the NACE Challenge Framework to audit and develop provision in two schools, with both going on to achieve the NACE Challenge Award and one becoming a NACE R&D Hub.
In her role as NACE Challenge and Curriculum Development Director, Christabel leads the development of the Challenge Development Programme and oversees the Challenge Award, as well as playing a leading role in the development and delivery of NACE’s training programmes and bespoke CPD. She also undertakes school and curriculum reviews, with a focus on improving provision for more able learners and challenge in the classroom.
Christabel served on the NACE board of trustees from 2018 to 2022. She is a National Leader of Education, leader of the Exceed SCITT English and Cognitive Theory programmes, facilitator for the NPQSL, Pupil Premium Reviewer, and a system leader of school-to-school support using and applying evidence-based research.
As part of NACE's support for schools in Wales, she has undertaken a range of school consultancy visits for MAT provision in Welsh schools, and most recently co-wrote and delivered MAT CPD for the Central South Consortium (CSC).
Dr Ann McCarthy Research & Development Director
Dr Ann McCarthy has worked with NACE since 2017, currently in the role of Research and Development Director. This builds on her engagement with the "Making Space for Able Learners" research project and continued leadership of NACE’s Research Programme. Alongside leading on research initiatives, Ann also contributes to the development of resources, training, publications and the charity’s wider engagement with other organisations.
Until recently Ann was the Education Director for a multi-academy trust, working with primary and secondary school leaders to raise standards; to identify opportunities for innovation, development and training; and to raise aspirations and develop inter-academy collaboration. With over 40 years of experience, her career has included teaching and leadership in both primary and secondary schools, including selective and comprehensive education. She has a wide experience of leadership coaching, including work as a primary consultant headteacher, and provides advice, training, and leadership on quality of education, school curriculum, self-evaluation, standards and school improvement.
Ann’s doctorate in educational research and development focused on leadership development and its impact on teaching and learning. She maintains research interests in the provision of high-quality learning experiences including all aspects of curriculum, leadership and provision for more able pupils.
Dr Keith Watson FCCT Curriculum Development Director
With over 30 years’ experience of working in educational settings, Dr Keith Watson draws on his experiences as a former MAT CEO, Teaching School Leader and published researcher. Keith led the work on Portswood Primary School being the first school in the country to attain the NACE Challenge Award three times.
Keith has extensive experience of professional development, having delivered training to hundreds of teachers and leaders. For NACE he co-leads on CPD, research and Challenge Development Programme activities, including course creation and delivery. He writes extensively for NACE, including contributions to the NACE Essentials range and blogs as well as working on the Challenge Award. As an accredited coach, Keith works extensively in the area of mentoring and coaching to support leadership development and works with a number of schools, including supporting self-evaluation and school improvement.
Keith holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southampton University and regularly publishes articles on a range of educational issues. He is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Emma Tibbitts Curriculum Adviser
As a highly effective, passionate and ambitious senior leader, and an outstanding practitioner, Emma has over a decade’s experience of teaching and leading across the early years and primary phase. She has held numerous roles including co-principal in two free schools, Early Years Lead for a large London Academy chain, and Primary Curriculum Leader for one of the largest international schools groups.
Having established her own education consultancy company in 2018, Emma has since expanded the company and is now working in collaboration with one of the most experienced Directors of Education internationally. She is proud to be Co-Director of Foundations First Education, where she promotes Character Education and contributes regularly to conversations themed on rethinking and reimagining education for all.
In her role as NACE Curriculum Adviser, Emma leads on the development of EYFS and primary policy and practice. This includes the design and delivery of training programmes and supporting resources – including subject-specific resources for challenge. She has also contributed to NACE’s research on cognitive challenge.
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