Meet our directors

Claire gained her first degree in English Literature with Physical Education and Sports Science from Loughborough University, before training as a teacher and enjoying a successful career in primary education. She continued her passion for sport and physical education in her role as PE subject leader and as part of the School Sport Co-ordinator (SSCo) Programme.

Claire held leadership positions in schools as a member of Senior Leadership Teams, an Advanced Skills Teacher and a Mentoring Lead. Claire was also part of the inaugural Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) programme, in which she gained accreditation as a teacher of Mathematics.

In 2012, Claire began her career in teacher training within Nottingham University’s School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) Programme, before moving to Pilgrim Partnership SCITT and the University of Hertfordshire. In her roles she gained extensive experience in Initial Teacher Education, leading on the delivery, support and assessment of a variety of routes into teaching.

Claire joined NITE in 2020, becoming its Director of ITT in 2022.

After qualifying, Becky taught in primary schools in the East Midlands. She became a senior leader and Advanced Skills Teacher predominantly teaching in Key Stage 2, specialising in Mathematics and Art.

After eleven years teaching in schools, Becky moved into Higher Education and Initial Teacher Training.

As Programme Leader for two undergraduate teacher training degree programmes at Bishop Grosseteste University, she successfully led student journey, curriculum design, and recruitment and admissions for multiple cohorts. Becky also took on the role of Head of Programmes, overseeing all undergraduate and postgraduate primary ITT provision.

In 2017 Becky was awarded a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Association (SFHEA) and in 2021 she completed her doctoral studies at the University of Nottingham. Her research focused on professional identity development of teaching assistants who train to become teachers in a community of practice.

Becky leads NITE’s international development, including the iPGCE with iQTS programmes, supporting schools around the world to upskill their teaching staff and supporting teachers in their continuing professional development.

Neale spent twenty years in state-maintained secondary education in England as a qualified teacher of History, Politics, and English, before rising through the ranks as Head of Humanities, Head of Year, Assistant Principal, Deputy Head Teacher and Head Teacher.

For a decade as a senior school leader, Neale led on teaching and learning, safeguarding, whole school curriculum, and staff professional development and recruitment. He also spent time in Africa, working with the Ghana Education Service and school leadership teams to develop school improvement programmes. Through this experience Neale recognised the importance of building strong stakeholder relationships, and this continues to drive his education philosophy.

As a Deputy Head Teacher, he was instrumental in setting up a new school including the building programme to construct new premises. Neale was subsequently appointed Head Teacher and led the school to its most successful student outcomes.

Lauren earned her degree in English Language and Literature from Coventry University and has come full circle by returning to NITE, part of the CU Group. After completing her PGCE, she began her career in primary education, working in schools across Coventry. During this time, Lauren excelled in curriculum development, teaching and learning strategies and subject leadership, particularly in English and mathematics.

Driven by her passion for English, Lauren became an accredited Specialist Leader of Education (SLE), supporting schools across Coventry in enhancing their English curriculum. She also developed and delivered bespoke training courses for Early Career Teachers (ECTs), equipping them with practical skills and strategies for classroom success.

Lauren progressed into senior leadership, where she oversaw teaching and learning across the curriculum in her school and supported curriculum provision across a multi-academy trust. She worked closely with key stakeholders to implement a new curriculum while fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among schools.

In 2023, Lauren joined NITE as Head of Placements, managing the operational aspects of school partnerships and ensuring compliance with ITT criteria. In 2024, she was appointed Director of Partnerships, focusing on strengthening relationships between NITE and its network of schools.

After graduating with a degree in motorsport management, Louise began her career in conference and event management. She was responsible for delivering multiple large-scale events, partnering with businesses around the world.

Louise then joined the University of Buckingham’s School of Education and became its Director of Operations, overseeing the operational function of all postgraduate degrees within the School.

In 2019 Louise joined NITE as one of its founding Directors and led the establishment of professional and operational functions within the Institute. These included student recruitment and selection processes, course management functions and quality assurance systems for school placements.

As Director of Business Implementation, Louise now oversees the entirety of NITE’s pre-enrolment processes for students and ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of internal systems to enable the smooth running of the Institute.