Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

James Benson

Saxmundham

Summary

Focused EDI leader with impressive track record in collaborative, cross-functional teamwork within high-pressure environments. Adept at project planning and managing multiple accounts at once. Dedicated to improving company sales goals and meeting business objectives.

Demonstrates a strong ability to lead teams through leadership development initiatives and performance evaluation strategies. Skilled in curriculum design and implementation, driving organisational growth and efficiency. Committed to leveraging analytical and managerial skills to achieve impactful results in dynamic environments.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Headteacher

Compass Community Schools
, Suffolk
02.2025 - Current
  • Co-ordinated rapid school improvement leading to a ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection (July 2025) following several failed regulatory standards in February 2025
  • Increased EBITDA by 17% following financial review and placement fee reviews
  • Fostered positive relationships with parents through regular communication and meetings
  • Reduced staff absence by 19% through effective monitoring and support systems
  • Improved IT infrastructure and user accessibility through redistributing resources

School Governor

St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan MAT
02.2024 - Current
  • Lead Governor for vulnerable student progress
  • Providing challenge and support to school leaders through attendance at Review Days, sub committe and fully governor board meetings
  • Supporting school events and regulator inspections

Lead SENDCO

The Aurora Group
South East England
03.2021 - 02.2025
  • Supported schools across the South East with Inclusion leadership including staff development and training; coordinating and leading complex reviews and investigations; quality assurance systems and processes
  • Development of financially sustainable placements resulting in increased revenue of over £210 000 across 2 schools
  • Research and development proposal for new business opportunities across the East of England
  • Lead and supported with the design and implementation of quality assurance systems including Health and Safety, attendance, education pedagogy, inclusion
  • Co-ordinated accreditation with Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence for 2 schools

Head of School / Interim Executive Headteacher

Raedwald Trust
Suffolk
01.2020 - 02.2021
  • Co ordinated Covid 19 response for 4 schools
  • Redistributed staff to allow for bespoke and tailored curriculum to be developed to support student retention
  • Managed organisational change through repurposing sites to support student engagement and outcomes

Head of Learning Support

Overall Park School
Suffolk
09.2019 - 12.2019

Executive SENDCO

Dixons Academies Trust
Yorkshire
01.2016 - 08.2019

Teacher of Design and Technology

Benton Park School
Yorkshire
01.2015 - 12.2015

Curriculum Manager - Vocational Education

Camden Council
London
01.2014 - 12.2014

STEM Co-Ordinator

Academies Enterprise Trust
London
09.2010 - 12.2013

Teacher of Design and Technology

Glasgow City Council
Glasgow
08.2009 - 08.2010

Education

NPQH - Education

Best Practice Network
Colchester, Essex
12.2023

Level 7 Senior Leader Standard - Leadership

Best Practice Network
Online
07.2023

Certificate of Competence - Educational Testing and Access Arrangements

Real Training
Online
07.2016 - 05.2017

PGCert - Special Educational Needs Co-Ordination

Leeds Beckett University
Leeds
11.2015 - 11.2017

BTechEd (Hons) - Education

University of Glasgow
Glasgow
09.2005 - 07.2009

A-Levels - English, Maths, Physics, Technological Studies

Largs Academy
Largs

Skills

  • Data Analysis
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Project Management
  • Leadership Development
  • Performance Evaluation
  • Curriculum design and implementation
  • Training programme development
  • Advanced computer literacy

Timeline

Headteacher

Compass Community Schools
02.2025 - Current

School Governor

St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan MAT
02.2024 - Current

Lead SENDCO

The Aurora Group
03.2021 - 02.2025

Head of School / Interim Executive Headteacher

Raedwald Trust
01.2020 - 02.2021

Head of Learning Support

Overall Park School
09.2019 - 12.2019

Certificate of Competence - Educational Testing and Access Arrangements

Real Training
07.2016 - 05.2017

Executive SENDCO

Dixons Academies Trust
01.2016 - 08.2019

PGCert - Special Educational Needs Co-Ordination

Leeds Beckett University
11.2015 - 11.2017

Teacher of Design and Technology

Benton Park School
01.2015 - 12.2015

Curriculum Manager - Vocational Education

Camden Council
01.2014 - 12.2014

STEM Co-Ordinator

Academies Enterprise Trust
09.2010 - 12.2013

Teacher of Design and Technology

Glasgow City Council
08.2009 - 08.2010

BTechEd (Hons) - Education

University of Glasgow
09.2005 - 07.2009

NPQH - Education

Best Practice Network

Level 7 Senior Leader Standard - Leadership

Best Practice Network

A-Levels - English, Maths, Physics, Technological Studies

Largs Academy
James Benson