Paul Tarn

Paul Tarn left school without any worthwhile formal qualifications and followed his father and grandfather to the local colliery where he worked as a miner for ten years. During this time, Paul also attended night school, where he gained his formal qualifications, allowing him to progress to university, graduating with a first class honours degree. He entered the teaching profession as a qualified teacher in 1995. Paul’s early experience of education, especially in economically-challenged communities, has shaped his steadfast commitment to social mobility and economic prosperity through high quality education.

Paul has spent his professional career as a teacher, working in challenging schools. He has taught science and ICT, has been a Head Teacher, an Executive Principal, Regional Director and Deputy CEO to one of the most successful Multi Academy Trusts. Paul has an outstanding track record in education, has led schools from special measures to outstanding and is a National Leader of Education.

As well as providing strategic direction, Paul is also the Accounting Officer for the Trust. He is responsible ultimately to Parliament and the Secretary of State for ensuring that the organisation fully discharges its responsibilities for the use of public funds and the delivery of education under the Trust Funding Agreement. The role of Accounting Officer carries a number of obligations many of which are set out in the Academies Financial Handbook.

Paul is proud of his heritage and of his background as a coal miner, where he developed his passion for education and his commitment to supporting all children to achieve their potential regardless of their starting point in life.  Paul is a passionate environmentalist and technical scuba diver, with a penchant for diving wrecks.