Graham is the CEO of the New Bridge Group, a cluster of organisations based in Oldham that support the learning, social and pastoral needs of over 700 children and young people with additional needs between the ages of 4 and 25. Graham fervently believes that our young people should be given the skills and attributes to enable them to contribute and participate in their communities and society as a whole, and we work together to create appropriate and high quality individual pathways for all our young people.

The Group consists of the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, our growing family of schools (click here for details), Future Finders, our innovative supported internship project aiming to increase opportunities for young adults aged up to 25 run in partnership with the Manchester College, and New Bridge Horizons, our flexible day provision for young adults aged 19 to 25.

Graham has spent over 25 years in the SEN field – he has previously been a headteacher, deputy and senior teacher in five other schools and this is his third headship. Graham is the chair of the Special Schools Academies Trust (SSAT) SEN headteachers’ steering group, a network representing the views of 450 special schools across the country. He is a National Leader of Education and plays a key role as chair of Special Schools’ Voice, a national organisation representing the views of special schools and working to influence educational thinking and policy at national level. He also advocated for young people with disabilities on the 2012 Olympic group.

Graham has experience of presenting at local, regional and national levels, particularly on raising aspirations, electronic solutions and 21st century schools. He has a passion that all young people should be able to progress and achieve within excellent, 21st century schools. From opening New Bridge School in 2005, Graham has been the driving force behind our vision to improve the outcomes and life chances for young people with additional needs in Oldham and beyond.

Graham is also the Accounting Officer for our Trust and a Business Trustee. Full details of our governance structure are available here.