2026 Advisory Board

Assistant Head, Randor House

Holly is an Assistant Head at an independent Kent school, leading on the Co-Curricular and Arts education for 2-18 year olds. A Bristol Old Vic-trained stage manager turned educator who co‑authored the Collins Cambridge International A Level Drama Student’s Book, co-founded Open Drama UK and passionately advocates for the MTPT charity as a mother of two young children. 

Senior Practitioner (Drama), University of Huddersfield Secondary PGCE

Paul is Senior Practitioner (Drama) for University of Huddersfield Secondary PGCE, and a Lead Mentor for Sheffield Teacher Training Alliance.

He is a researcher/practitioner for Chol Theatre, in residence in primary schools.

He writes for British Journal Educational Studies, Drama and Theatre, and National Drama. 

Across his roles, Paul is currently researching the benefits of Drama Pedagogy in schools.

Primary Education Consultant, Sticky Education

Stephanie is a former primary teacher turned consultant, with experience in over 40 schools. Mentored by European Innovation, she now speaks and trains nationally, advocating for creative, child-centred education. Her focus is on using movement and the arts to improve writing, boost engagement, and drive positive change in schools.

Trumpet Player, Composer and Educator

Kay Charlton is a trumpet player, composer and educator. Her book, ‘How to Teach Whole-Class Instrumental Lessons: 50 inspiring ideas’, is published by Collins Music and she has written several tutor books for brass and wind. Alongside her work in education, she plays the trumpet with the Bollywood Brass Band.

Music Teacher, West Kirby School & College

Jo is a Music teacher with 28 years experience. As a lay advisor for NICE, an advisor for Manchester Tourettes Support and through projects within the media she has gained a unique insight into the barriers faced by students whilst accessing Music and Drama in schools. Jo currently coordinates music in an outstanding  high needs school for students with SEMH needs 

Associate Assistant Headteacher, Woodbridge High School

Benjamin Eva-Griffiths is a dedicated and experienced drama teacher with over 10 years of experience in the field of education. His roles include, Head of Performing Arts, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and currently Associate Assistant Headteacher Key Stage 3. Ben has a deep commitment to fostering creativity, pastoral care, and inclusive education.

Head of Creative Arts and Head of Music, Dolphin School

Matt Hartley-Stevens is a musician and educator who has worked with leading arts organisations such English National Ballet, the Royal Opera House, and the Royal Albert Hall. Now Head of Creative Arts and Head of Music at Dolphin School, Matt oversees a bespoke curriculum designed to foster creative skills.

Director, Brent Music Academy

Sharon Jagdev Powell has 29 years of experience in music education as a Head of Music, music project manager, and Music Hub Leader. She is the Director of Brent Music Academy and works for Black Lives in Music as the Music Education and Programme Manager. Sharon also serves as a trustee for the Music Education Council and is on the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Music Hub Partnership Board. She champions equity, inclusion, and youth empowerment through transformative curriculum and strategic organisational development.

Drama Teacher and Head of Year, Penistone Grammar School

Teacher of drama and current head of year in a secondary school in Barnsley. Co-researcher for projects with National Drama exploring the importance of drama in secondary education. Firm believer that drama is creative, academic, pedagogical. 

PGCE Drama Convenor, Goldsmiths

Amanda trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She worked in Inner London schools for 16 years and at Goldsmiths for 20 years. She is Chair of London Drama. Doctoral thesis: 'In Two Minds: What happens when we think in Role?'

Senior Lecturer in Drama and Theatre and Director of Research and Innovation, The University of Kent’s School of Arts and Architecture

Margherita Laera is Senior Lecturer in Drama and Theatre and Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Kent’s School of Arts and Architecture. Her research explores the many intersections between theatre and translation, also as a professional practitioner. She is co-editor of the book series Theatre & and the founder of Performing International Plays.

Teacher of Piano, Music Theory and Ensembles, Examiner, Performer, Researcher, and Trustee at EPTA UK.

Ksenija is a classically trained pianist and a practitioner-researcher in music education with a broad teaching portfolio across leading London schools. She runs KOVA ED studio, works as an international examiner, and holds postgraduate degrees from Trinity Laban and the University of Cambridge. Her approach blends tradition with innovation, placing emphasis on inclusive, research-informed practice. Ksenija is a passionate advocate for contemporary philosophy in piano, instrumental, and vocal pedagogy as well as music education more broadly.

Head of Curriculum and Quality, Sutton College

Trained at BOVTS and was a professional actor (1978–1998), appearing in Connie, The Bill, and Casualty. Founding director of SLAP Performing Arts. An educator and drama director for over 20 years, now Head of Curriculum and Quality. Passionate about mentoring, new writing, and transformative, inclusive drama education.

CEO, Speech Bubbles

Adam is a passionate theatre maker and dedicated organisational leader. For 40 years, he has created theatre and drama projects with, for, and by children and young people. Since 2009, he has grown Speech Bubbles from a local initiative to a national programme, partnering with 13 theatres to support communication through drama.

PhD candidate researching: 'British Muslim Communities' Engagement with Theatre',  and a drama practitioner

Serena B. Slack-Robins is a British Asian drama, creative writing tutor, artist, and author. Working for organisations including National Theatre, and Theatre Royal Stratford East. She is a PhD candidate: 'British Muslim Communities' Engagement with Theatre', in partnership with Khayaal Theatre Company, Manchester Metropolitan University, funded by the Northwest Consortium Doctoral Partnership. 

Composer

Nikos is a composer of predominantly acousmatic and mixed music. His music is performed and broadcast regularly around the world and has been awarded internationally on several occasions. He is a Professor at Leeds Beckett university and a founding member of the Echochroma New Music Research Group, a member of the British ElectroAcoustic Network, the Hellenic Electroacoustic Music Composers Association, and a board member of the International Computer Music Association. 

Head of Theatre Technology, Guildhall School

Andy trained as a musician then worked in music recording studios before moving into teaching Sound and Music Technology to students on various Performing Arts courses in FE and HE. Andy joined the Guildhall School as Lecturer in Sound in 2013, before becoming Head of Theatre Technology in 2017.

Director, Act On It

Helen co-founded Act On It, a social enterprise providing drama projects for disadvantaged communities. She holds senior roles with leading exam boards: Chair of Examiners for BTEC, Principal Moderator for Pearson's Extended Project Qualification, Chief Examiner for AQA GCSE Drama, and Principal Examiner in Performing Arts with OCR.

Director of Music, The Crypt School

Julian Whittaker is Director of Music at The Crypt School, an outstanding grammar school and one of two Lead Schools for Music in the GSW Hub. A Director of Music for 30 years, he is a choral conductor, pianist, and accompanist. He has taught in both state and independent schools,  an OCR A Level music trainer and developer, and is a GCSE examiner and moderator. Julian is also a committee member of the Music Teachers’ Association, where he leads CPD for music teachers.

Composer, Musician and Educator

A composer, musician, and educator with over a decade’s experience teaching music peripatetically for schools and music services. He’s received Arts Council funding for music tech workshops and contributed to music technology research with RCM, delivering seminars at the Music Education Expo. He is also a published composer, with music licensed internationally.