Meet our Chief Executive Officer | The People's Learning Trust

Background

With a career spanning decades of leadership, Steven has led numerous schools to achieve 'outstanding' ratings, consistently championing compassionate and evidence-based approaches to education. His leadership has garnered national and international recognition for its transformative impact on young people. Under his guidance, his schools have received acclaim for fostering resilience, responsibility, and self-belief in students, many of whom have been excluded from mainstream education and re-engage with learning and excel both academically and personally.

A celebrated author

Steven is a celebrated author and advocate for inclusive and trauma-informed education. His book, A School Without Sanctions (Bloomsbury, 2020), offers a groundbreaking perspective on behaviour management, advocating for empathy, authentic praise, and relationship-building over punitive measures. This critically acclaimed work has influenced educators across the UK and beyond and has been praised for its actionable strategies and reflective insights that empower educators to create safe, nurturing environments for all learners.

Collaborative practices

Throughout his career, Steven’s commitment to education has extended beyond the classroom. A Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, he has collaborated with organisations such as the Ministry of Justice, working in youth and adult establishments to develop cultures of rehabilitation. Steven’s career also includes his time as an Ofsted Inspector, where he honed his skills in school improvement and accountability. His schools have won numerous awards for their innovative and collaborative practices, including recognition from the Department for Education as exemplars of mental health best practice. These achievements reflect his unwavering focus on supporting the well-being of both students and staff. As an outcome of these successful approaches, Steven serves as a lead judge for the Pearson National Teaching Awards, celebrating excellence in teaching nationwide.

Beyond the Trust

Beyond the Trust, Steven co-designed the groundbreaking Cradle to Career initiative, a place-based change programme aimed at tackling deprivation and improving outcomes for children and families in North Birkenhead. This model brings together schools, families, and community organisations to create systemic change, focusing on literacy, early intervention, and long-term support. Cradle to Career delivers exceptional results, including an average of 11 months’ accelerated reading progress for students and improved social care outcomes for vulnerable families. The programme has garnered national attention and is now expanding across the Liverpool City Region with the support of the Metro Mayor.

Within the Trust

Steven’s impact is also evident in the groundbreaking initiatives he leads within The People’s Learning Trust. Notably, the Trust has launched an innovative VR project tackling knife crime, funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation. This project combines immersive technology with expert insights from trauma surgeons, police, and bereaved families to educate young people about the consequences of violence and equip them with life-saving skills. Additionally, The People’s Learning Trust collaborates with leading institutions, including the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester and the National Literacy Trust, to drive research and deliver exceptional outcomes for learners.

Steven's legacy

A former United Nations war crimes investigator, Steven received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service as a member of the Remembering Srebrenica Northwest Board and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, in recognition of his services to education and tackling hatred. His legacy is one of relentless dedication to transforming lives, fostering inclusivity, and empowering individuals to achieve their fullest potential.