Advisers & Consultants
Stephanie Hilder – Specialist English Adviser
Stephanie Hilder is an experienced education consultant specialising in English.
With a strong interest in the development and assessment of writing, Stephanie has collaborated extensively with the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) in the production and training of national materials, and moderated writing at KS1 and KS2 for three local authorities, as well as for the STA.
Additionally, Stephanie is a lecturer in Reading for Pleasure (RfP) at The Open University, where she works on the whole school RfP programme. She thrives on working collaboratively with schools, teachers and leaders, actively engaging with them to develop their priorities for English.
Furthermore, she serves on the editorial board of English 4-11 magazine, demonstrating her commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise with a wider audience.
Nathan Crook – Specialist Maths Adviser, Berkshire
Prior to becoming a maths consultant, Nathan taught children in Years 1-6 across three Oxfordshire primary schools, including those in both urban and rural settings. During this time, he qualified as a Maths Specialist Teacher (MaST). This consequently led to him becoming part of the National College for Teaching and Leadership’s ‘small schools making an impact’ programme.
Driven by his passion for helping to ensure that all children access mathematics learning to the full, Nathan has more recently worked both in-person and remotely as an NCETM accredited independent maths consultant to support schools across the country in delivering high quality teaching and learning.
As well as providing training, he has continued to work alongside classes and groups of children, as well as their teachers and support staff, to explore how they learn best. He also believes in the power of mentoring and coaching, around which he has refined his skills whilst completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) programme.
Nathan is an active member of the National Association of Mathematics Advisers (NAMA), which develops his understanding about the national mathematics landscape. He has previously sat on the Executive of the Mathematics Association until summer 2022.
Joe Burbank - Specialist Maths Adviser, London
Joe has over 18 years of experience in primary education and possesses an in-depth understanding of mathematics teaching in the EYFS, KS1, and KS2. He served as the Assistant Headteacher at Stockham Primary School for 11 years before transitioning to a full-time role as an independent maths consultant. Throughout his career, Joe has held numerous leadership positions, including Acting
Headteacher, Key Stage Leader and School Governor. His contributions were instrumental in Stockham Primary School achieving an Outstanding rating from Ofsted in 2019.
Joe believes that maths is an exciting, interconnected subject that all children can access, enjoy, and achieve in, regardless of their prior experiences. He strongly believes that all children need to master key mathematical knowledge and concepts, and being able to reason mathematically, make connections, and solve problems are the keys to long-term success.
Joe holds qualifications including the MaST (Maths Specialist Teacher Programme), NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship), and NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) Professional Development Lead Qualification. He serves as a Local Leader of Maths Education and facilitates Work Groups for the BBO, Mobius, and Enigma Maths Hubs. Additionally, Joe provides support to schools across Oxfordshire and beyond enhancing their maths leadership capacity and teaching and learning.
Christopher Sanderson – Safeguarding and Compliance Consultant
Christopher has provided consultancy and training to BPET since its inception. He runs his own company, Amadeus Consulting and Training, offering consultancy in many aspects of nursery, primary and secondary education to schools, groups and associations both in the UK and overseas. His experience and empathy make him a welcome advisor in many schools.
Chris worked as a school inspector for 20 years, leading inspections in Early Years, primary, secondary and international education in the UK and in British schools overseas. He has also worked as a School Improvement Partner and a GCSE examiner in French and maths. Chris runs training and speaks at conferences for a number of organisations. In addition, he is Director of Compliance and Policy with a leading group of UK schools and nurseries, a consultant for the Association of Muslim Schools, and a music examiner with Trinity College, London.
His four headships together spanned an age range from 2 to 19, including boarding, day and international schools, in both the independent and maintained sectors. Prior to headship, he held positions of Head of Modern Languages, Director of Music and Head of Cricket and Hockey.
Originally from Yorkshire, he still maintains a keen interest in the fortunes of Halifax Town and Yorkshire Cricket; he plays cricket at home in his Cambridgeshire village and for a club in Brittany. Outside school, his main interests are in music, sport and renovating an old farmhouse in Brittany. He is a former conductor of the National Children’s Choir and spent several years singing as a cathedral lay clerk.
Sarah Evans - Education Consultant
Sarah is a highly experienced school leader and Headteacher, having worked across the state and independent sectors. A proven ability to lead, motivate and sustain through change whilst raising standards, Sarah has supported schools to achieve both ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Excellent’ inspection outcomes within both state (Ofsted) and independent school inspections (ISI).
Educated at The University of Manchester, followed by a post graduate PGCE in Primary Education, Sarah has a wealth of experience across the primary age range, including federated leadership, Executive Headship and working within academy trusts, as well as most recently as Headteacher within the Bellevue Education group of independent schools.
Experienced in mentoring and coaching leaders, devising and delivering training, strategic planning for school improvement, identifying priorities for development, working with Headteachers, senior leaders, leadership teams, governance and governing bodies across schools, Sarah is excited to work with education leaders across BPET. Among her other roles, Sarah is also supporting Headship at a school within the GLF Academy Trust.
Sarah has a full and busy family life with two daughters growing up fast and loves entertaining, live music, walking, and travel and has also just started her own business as a trained Celebrant, working to create and present bespoke and personalised ceremonies such as weddings, commitment ceremonies, anniversaries, celebrations of life, indeed for all of life’s events!
Last updated: September 2024
