New interim CEO of troubled Mansfield educational trust aims to 'transform lives' in new role

Wayne Norrie, 47, has been confirmed as the Interim Chief Executive of the Mansfield-based Evolve Trust.

Born and educated in Bulwell, Nottingham, he has been CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust since 2016, which includes primary, secondary and special schools.

Wayne was a former headteacher in Bulwell and Derby, and a senior inspector for Ofsted. He has three primary school-aged children.

The Evolve Trust runs the Mansfield Brunts, Bramble, Beech and Harlow Academy schools.

The Harlow Academy is a special school, on Nottingham Road, Harlow Wood which hit the Chad headlines when it closed due to ‘staffing issues,’ it told parents by email, on Wednesday, January 20.

The unexpected closure happened the day after a two-day inspection by Ofsted.

The school had prompted a raft of complaints from parents and education chiefs had also raised concerns at the closure.

South Yorkshire-based Nexus Multi Academy Trust was brought in to help the floundering establishment, and a ‘superhead’ Luci Windle was appointed as Harlow Academy’s executive headteacher for the remaining school year.

The school partially reopened last week, with the pupils, aged between 3 – 19, asked to return on a rota basis, which met with further concerns by some parents who held their children back.

Taking over his new role, Mr Norrie told the Chad: “I am pleased to support The Evolve Trust as Interim CEO, while continuing in my current post as Chief Executive of Greenwood Academies Trust.

“I am working closely with the new leadership team at Harlow to put new plans into place and will update parents and carers as soon as possible

"In this role, I will draw on my more than 25 years of teaching experience, 19 of which was in leadership positions, to support The Evolve Trust and its pupils, parents and staff.

“I firmly believe in the power of education to transform lives and am committed to ensuring that together, we foster a rich culture of collaboration that shares best practice and creates an environment in which all pupils can fulfil their potential.

“I look forward to working with my new colleagues across The Evolve Trust and building great schools for our children and families.”

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