OUR TEAM

Helen Wood is The Balcarras Trust Interim CEO and Headteacher of The High School Leckhampton—Gloucestershire’s newest school. Helen spent over 20 years at Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham where was latterly the Senior Deputy Head. She joined the Balcarras Trust in January 2021 as the first Headteacher of The High School Leckhampton.

The school opened in September 2021 to 120 Year 7 pupils and will grow eventually to be a school of 900. The school is located in a brand new purpose built accommodation at Farm Lane in Leckhampton.

Louise Morgan MAAT began her finance career in 2010 as an Accounts Assistant in the commercial sector, progressing to the role of Accounts Manager by 2014. During this time, she successfully completed her professional qualifications with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), achieving full qualification status.

From 2014 to 2018, Louise served as Finance Manager at Berkhampstead Independent Prep School in Cheltenham, where she developed a strong understanding of school business management. Inspired by personal family experience with special educational needs, Louise transitioned in 2018 to The Milestone Special School, taking on the role of Finance Officer.

Her expertise and leadership were instrumental in developing financial processes and systems that supported the creation and growth of SAND Academies Trust, where she served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for six years.

In addition, Louise is Chair of The Forest of Dean Trust which enables strong links with other secondary schools within the County. She joined the Trust in October 2025.

Dominic has spent over twenty years in the profession as a history teacher and since 2011 as a senior school leader.  In 2016 Dominic became Head of Balcarras and under his leadership the school has gone from strength to strength. In 2020 the Sunday Times awarded Balcarras the prestigious “School of the Decade Award” and in 2025 OFSTED rated the school ‘outstanding’ in every category. The school continues to achieve results which place it amongst the highest performing comprehensive schools in the country. Dominic led the team that submitted Balcarras’ bid to sponsor the new secondary school for Cheltenham and from 2018 to 2020 directed the preparations needed to bring the school to life. The High School Leckhampton opened in September 2021. Dominic was also the founder CEO of the Balcarras Trust leading the Trust from its inception in 2020 before stepping down to concentrate on the headship at Balcarras in August 2025. As well as Headteacher Dominic also holds the following roles:
Chair of the Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Education Partnership (GITEP) Board
Director of the Gloucestershire Association Secondary School Leaders Limited (GASSL Ltd)
Academy Representative of the Gloucestershire Schools Forum
Member of the GLOW Maths Hub Strategic Board
Member of the Balcarras Teaching School Hub Strategic Board
Treasurer of the Cheltenham Association of Secondary Headteachers
Member of the Gloucestershire Association of Secondary School Leaders (GASSL)
Member of the Gloucestershire Education Forum

Parin has been a teacher for over twenty years and has spent the majority of his career in middle and senior leadership positions. In September 2025, he was appointed Headteacher of Winchcombe School. His leadership experience spans a wide range of areas including’; mathematics, safeguarding, behaviour, and SEND, giving him a broad understanding of the factors that contribute to a successful and inclusive school.
Parin is committed to building on the strong foundations already in place at Winchcombe and ensuring that every student is supported to thrive academically and personally. He brings a proven track record of school improvement and a clear vision for raising aspirations, strengthening community partnerships, and providing the very best opportunities for young people.

Maxine Godfrey joined the Balcarras Trust in December 2023 as the Governance Professional after working with several schools within the county. 

She is married with two children and her husband works for The Trust as a Teacher.

Previously from a book publishing background, Maxine made the transition to working within Education whilst living in Asia, where she worked as a Kindergarten and Year 1 Teacher. Upon moving back to the UK, Maxine wished to continue working in Education using her business skills and qualifications to support the governance of schools.

Kate has been a management consultant and project manager before working in administration roles at a number of organisations, including GCC, Cheltenham Ladies' College and Pate's.  She joined the Trust in September 2025.

She is married with two daughters and lives in Cheltenham.