Jon Tait
Jon is Deputy CEO and Director of School Improvement at the Areté Learning Trust comprising of three large secondary schools and sixth form colleges in North Yorkshire. Prior to this role, Jon had worked in three different and diverse North East Schools for 20 years, with 15 of those being as a school leader in various senior leadership positions. Most recently as Deputy Headteacher and Director of Teaching School, Jon was responsible for the strategic leadership of teaching and learning, professional development, initial teacher training and external school to school support. Jon has significant experience in contributing to system leadership via his extensive professional network of education professionals around the world. Jon’s innovative approach to school and organisational leadership challenges the habits that have gone before, looking at ways to improve education through change management. In 2017 Jon graduated with his NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headteachers) and then in 2021 he completed his NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership).
Jon is also an education author and speaker, having four books published on areas ranging from classroom pedagogy, educational research and school leadership; together with regularly speaking at national and international conferences about all aspects of education. Jon delivered a talk on the world famous TED stage in 2015, talking about ‘The Future of Learning’.
Outside of education, Jon is married with two school/university aged children, has played in the FA cup as a semi-professional footballer, coached American Football for Great Britain and was recognised for his continued work with young people by carrying the Olympic Torch in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.