School Improvement Team
Sarah Smith
Director of Education
Sarah has been working in Gloucestershire for her whole teaching career, with her experience mainly in large inner-city schools in Gloucester. For many years she was a Deputy Head Teacher and SENDCO, supporting vulnerable pupils and families, until she moved to Redmarley C of E Primary Academy as Head Teacher 9 years ago. SEND is a passion of hers and she is always looking at how to ensure all pupils have every opportunity to access an inclusive education. Sarah has also been an Executive Head Teacher of Redmarley and Ann Cam C of E Primary School for two years before taking on the role of Director of Education for Primary QuEST in September 2024.
Out of school Sarah enjoys eating out, gardening, walking and watching rugby matches with her family.
Lucy Buckland
School Improvement Lead
Lucy has a passion for teaching and has been in the profession for 17 years; teaching a wide range of primary age groups. As a leader she thrives on finding the light in others to help them shine. She has been Assistant Head, led middle leadership training, supported literacy leads in the county and successfully implemented and embedded numerous initiatives within the schools she has taught. Lucy loves working collaboratively with others to solve problems and enhance the teaching and learning experiences of all so they each may reach their full potential.
Lucy grew up on a farm and spends most of her free time enjoying the outdoors - looking after her sheep, walking the dog and exploring nature with her young daughter.
Stephen Dean
Chief Executive Officer
Stephen has been involved in education for the past twenty years having begun his working life in the technology industry. Initially he began teaching at a primary school in Staffordshire before moving to Gloucestershire. His first role in Gloucestershire was at a large primary school in Cheltenham before moving to Highnam C of E Primary School to be the deputy Headteacher. After five years as Headteacher, Stephen became CEO of the newly formed Primary QuEST Trust in July 2019. This initially was a part-time role which enabled Stephen to be co-headteacher at Highnam and more recently Headteacher at Hartpury C of E Primary School. Since Sept 2023 Stephen has been full-time CEO and overseen the growth of the Trust from five to nine schools.
Stephen is passionate about seeing pupils and staff flourish and is part of the Tewkesbury District Partnership steering group and a member of the Schools Forum in Gloucestershire. Recently he completed his National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL).
In his spare time, he loves travelling, spending time with his family and playing cricket.
