Gary Wright Appointed as Prosper Learning Trust's Director of School Improvement

Prosper Learning Trust are pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Wright to the new role of Director of School Improvement.

Gary is from County Durham and has lived and worked in the North East for the past 18 years. He trained to become a Teacher at Northumbria University and completed a postgraduate qualification in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Whilst living in London, he combined his passion for acting and teaching, and has performed in musicals in the West End, London Fringe, and internationally. Gary worked as a class teacher and middle leader in London schools, before returning to the North East to begin his senior leadership journey.

Gary has since held the posts of Assistant Headteacher at a junior school in Durham and Deputy Headteacher at a large primary school in North Tyneside.  More recently he has been the Headteacher at Usworth Colliery Primary School in Washington. This school has a high proportion of pupils with special educational needs, as well as an additional provision for ASC pupils across Sunderland, and a provision to support pupils with SEMH needs.  Gary has also been a governor at a local pupil referral unit and the Chair of Harry Watts Academy’s Local Advisory Committee, an academy within the Trust. Gary will commence his new role as Director of School Improvement in September 2023.

When asked what he would like to bring to the role, Gary said

“I hope to bring a rigorous, realistic and authentic approach to school improvement across the Trust.  I have significant experience of implementing school improvement at different levels which has had a genuine impact on outcomes for pupils. Most importantly, I have a true understanding of the issues school leaders face on a daily basis. As well as leading a successful school, I have significant experience of supporting other schools and leaders, especially new or future Headteachers, on their improvement or career journeys.”

He added

“I am really excited about starting my role as Director of School Improvement using my experience as a school leader to support and challenge our individual academies to become the best that they can be. Prosper Learning Trust is an established and well respected Trust in the North East and currently at an exciting stage of development. I am looking forward to playing a part in its future success.”

Outside of his education career, Gary enjoys running and last year ran the Great North Run for local charity 'If U Care Share'. He has also recently started to become involved in amateur theatre.