Key Team

James Mckenna
Executive Principal

James is a qualified Head Teacher with NPQH and also an experienced A Level teacher. He gained MSc in Educational Leadership from The University of Leicester in 2014. He has 14 years leadership experience across 4 schools in a range of settings. James has extensive experience leading on teaching and learning, professional development and behaviour and inclusion. James’s particular subject expertise is in Psychology which he has been teaching at Beauchamp College since 2017. As an accredited Pupil Premium reviewer, James works with leaders at schools across The Trust in both the Primary and Secondary phase to secure improved outcomes for disadvantaged students. When establishing Beauchamp City, James led on both the development project and the design of the curriculum.

Catherine Bartholomew
Associate Principal

Catherine has been teaching in Leicestershire schools for over 25 years, delivering Religious studies at KS 3 & 4 and philosophy and ethics at A level.  She studied Theology at Oxford University, trained to teach at Cambridge University and as a result, is committed to encouraging students to develop a love of subject and pursue their aspirations.  Catherine has also completed an MBA in educational management (distinction) with Leicester University and has the NPQH qualification, where she carried out research into raising KS5 outcomes. Catherine has over 12 years experience of senior leadership and has also worked closely with a wide range of schools whilst previously establishing and leading a teacher training provision. Catherine was Vice Principal at Beauchamp College prior to her move to Beauchamp City.  She has worked at Beauchamp City as Vice Principal since it opened in 2020 and helped to establish this new provision, with a particular focus on safeguarding, careers, exams and the development of our personal development curriculum to ensure that students are prepared for the wider world.

Kathryn Judge
Vice Principal

Kathryn has worked in education for over 15 years, spending the majority of this time at schools across Leicester and Leicestershire. Initially, she worked in Sixth Form leadership before moving into the academic leadership of a department. In previous roles, she worked on Senior Leadership Teams to deliver high quality holistic provision for students, lead professional learning, and conduct robust Quality Assurance procedures. Most recently, Kathryn has completed NPQSL and NPQLTD. Kathryn graduated in English (BA Hons) in 2004 and achieved QTS status the following year from the University of Leicester. She is an experienced examiner at both GCSE and A Level. Kathryn is passionate about ensuring young people have access to an education that allows them to realise their potential and achieve their aspirations.

Ryan Pemberton
Vice Principal

Ryan has worked in sixth form pastoral care for 13 years and is passionate about offering advice and guidance to students. He is committed to raising student’s aspirations and removing any barriers that stand in the way of their learning. Throughout his time in education he has been actively involved in Student Voice and he was featured in The TES regarding the innovative student leadership programme at Beauchamp College. As a member of Beauchamp College’s leadership team, Ryan led on Admissions, Oxbridge and UCAS, and was the college’s link for parental and community engagement. Ryan has a BA Honours in Journalism and Communication and a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Management.

Dan Burke
Assistant Principal

Dan is a highly experienced teacher of A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics whose career spans 30 years working in schools in Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. He has managed two Mathematics departments and been actively involved in a number of whole-school initiatives. He studied Mathematics (BSc(Hons)) at Leicester University where he also gained his PGCE. Subsequently, he successfully completed a Master’s Degree in (applications of) Mathematics with the Open University. Alongside his teaching career Dan was also a keen sportsman, having played rugby semi-professionally and at National League level. He is also a qualified rugby coach with as many years coaching experience as teaching. For this, his first Senior Leadership role, he will be focussing on Student Outcomes, in particular data-driven, targeted improvement.

REBECCA ILLSTON
Team Leader

Rebecca is an experienced teacher of Social Science specialising in A-level sociology and has worked in several schools in a range of contexts across both key stages four and five. Alongside her teaching roles, Rebecca has experience in both pastoral and subject led leadership roles with a particular passion for supporting the holistic development of students. Last year, Rebecca completed her NPQML with a focus on embedding principles of metacognition to improve student outcomes. Rebecca graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BA (Hons) in Sociology and then completed her PGCE at the University of Leicester graduating with masters' credits. Since joining Beauchamp City sixth form, Rebecca has been working as the EPQ co-ordinator and is leading on the personal development curriculum across the school. Most recently, Rebecca has been appointed to the Leadership team with a specific focus on providing high quality careers guidance and work experience for all of our students at Beauchamp City sixth form.  

Lisa Trussler
Team Leader

Lisa is an experienced teacher of Social Science specialising in A-level Psychology and has worked in several schools in a range of contexts transferring her leadership skills from years of previous experience within a competitive swimming environment. A particular focus alongside her teaching is to implement her interest in the cognitive components of success and resilience within academic settings, which is underpinning her Educational Doctorate studies. Lisa 's role on the leadership team involves overseeing the schools' Social Sciences qualifications as well as the Bursary provision; working closely with students to ensure they have the support and resources to reach their full potential. 

Kath Kelly
CEO of Lionheart Educational Trust

Kath has over 14 years school and college based senior leadership experience. She is very proud to be Principal of Beauchamp College in Oadby who were recognised among the top 1% of all schools nationally in 2015. Kath’s other experiences include a range of successful school to school support work, in all cases schools in challenging circumstances have been able to make significant progress in improving student provision and experience.

Kath’s passion undoubtedly lies in developing the very highest quality learning and teaching experiences. Kath is driven to reach the very highest standards for all pupils, parents and staff. She highly values professional learning and research and after completing her NPQH has returned in complete an MSc in Educational Leadership at Distinction Level at The University of Leicester.

As CEO of The Lionheart Trust, Kath strives to ensure academic excellence and exceptional holistic development in all schools across The Trust.

Nigel Swan
Chair of the Local Governing Body

Nigel is Chair of a local charity, Helping Hands Community Trust, which provides advice and support across a wide range of areas (welfare benefits, debt, housing..) to vulnerable communities in the area. Before then he worked in the Logistics industry for various major retailers, latterly as the Head of Distribution for Selfridges.

He held various Vice President roles within logistics specialists, DHL, and was responsible for managing major retail contracts for the company. This involved negotiating contracts, designing new solutions and financial management.

He first came to Leicester as a student at the University of Leicester where he gained a BSc in Geography.

He joined the initial Governing Board prior to the College opening and has recently become Chair (from September 2023)