Dame Maura Regan DBE, OBE, DL
Maura was made a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2021 in recognition of her outstanding leadership and service to education in the region and nationally.
Maura began her teaching career in London teaching History and RE, she returned to the North East to take a pastoral role before becoming Deputy Head Pastoral and subsequently Principal of Carmel College.
Maura, as the architect of Carmel Education Trust, became its founding CEO having led the successful transformation of Carmel College from a single outstanding College to the lead school in a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). The Trust is recognised as a leading organisation nationally. The Trust is now known as Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust comprising 28 schools both primary and secondary. It will become a Trust of 35 schools by 2022. All schools in the Bishop Hogarth CET have been rated as good or better on inspection after joining the Trust.
In her role as an NLE, Maura and her Leadership Team have supported schools across the region from all phases.
Carmel College is one of the top performing schools nationally and is a Teaching School, a Maths Hub, leads a Science Learning Partnership and most recently has been designated a Research School. Carmel College has a long history of Initial Teacher Training and is now one of the largest providers in the North East.
Maura has been highly pro-active in supporting NETSP (North East Teaching Schools Partnership) in the delivery of NPQH, NPQSL and NPQML and a National College programme ‘Women into Headship’. Maura is regularly invited to be a keynote speaker for the National College NLE Induction Programme.
She is a Trustee of Schools North East, Director of Emmanuel Trust and a Governor of Durham School.
Maura is regularly invited to address national audiences on the benefits and complexities of establishing and leading a Multi-Academy Trust in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity and support for the common good. She is passionate about making a difference and believes that ‘every child should be given every opportunity to succeed’.
Maura is a member of the National Advisory Group with reference to the published Recruitment & Retention Strategy document. She is a member of the sub-group working with the DfE on the Opportunity North East Programme established by the Secretary of State.
She has championed the Just Change Campaign on behalf of Citizens UK (Tyne & Wear Division). This campaign is to ensure that free school meal children receive their full entitlement.
Carmel College has recently become a Flexible Working Ambassador School as Maura believes that flexible and agile working together with a strong programme of CPD is key in developing and promoting a highly skilled and enthusiastic workforce.