A BLACKBURN principal has been appointed one of 32 academy leaders across the country who will help shape the future of schools in the area.

Julie Bradley, executive headteacher of the Olive School which is run by Tauheedul Education Trust, was elected to join a a regional headteacher board.

The boards provide support to the Regional Schools Commissioners in those areas as they work to provide effective oversight of local schools and advise the National Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter and the government.

Julie Bradley, whose career in teaching began in 1982, said she is thrilled to have been elected onto the Headteacher Board.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been elected. I feel incredibly grateful to my fellow headteachers who voted for me and will do my utmost to serve them well on the board.”

Julie Bradley joined Tauheedul Education Trust in 2012 and has been the Executive Principal of The Olive School, Blackburn since 2013, when the primary free school first opened. She led the school through its first Ofsted inspection in June 2015, at which it was rated ‘outstanding’.

As Executive Principal within Tauheedul Education Trust, Julie provides leadership and mentoring support to other Principals within and beyond the group.

She has been a National Leader of Education since September 2016, using her skills and experience to work alongside teaching schools and other system leaders to provide high quality support to schools and academies that need it the most.

Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Tauheedul Education Trust, said: “Julie is a very well respected senior leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of young people through education. Her election to the regional Headteacher Board for Lancashire and West Yorkshire is recognition of her vast experience leading schools and advising other school leaders.

"Julie will continue to share her expertise in this new role, and will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to driving improvements for thousands of pupils across the region.” 

Sir Theodore Agnew, parliamentary under secretary of state for the school system, said: "Headteacher Boards have already shown they can provide invaluable support in improving the education of pupils across England and I’d like to thank everyone who has played an important role so far.

"The local expertise and wisdom of the newly elected members will be vital in helping schools continue to flourish and I look forward to working with them in my new role."