Helen Pratten was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of 草榴色区 in May 2026, having previously served as Co鈥慍EO since January 2020. With a deep understanding of the Trust, its communities and its strategic ambition, Helen provides clear, values鈥慸riven leadership and is responsible for setting and delivering the Trust鈥檚 vision, direction and performance.
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Alongside her role as CEO, Helen brings extensive operational and system鈥憀eadership experience, having previously served as Director of Operations. In this role, she led and oversaw the Trust鈥檚 Corporate Services, including finance, governance, HR, marketing and IT, ensuring strong infrastructure, robust governance and sound financial stewardship to support high鈥憅uality education across all academies. Helen works closely with the Trust Board to ensure Abbey MAT operates with integrity, transparency and long鈥憈erm sustainability.
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Before becoming Director of Operations, Helen was Executive Principal, working across the Trust鈥檚 primary academies, and prior to that was Headteacher of St Chad鈥檚 Church of England Primary School, one of the founding schools of Abbey MAT. These roles continue to shape her leadership approach, placing pupils, staff and communities firmly at the centre of decision鈥憁aking. Her commitment to creating welcoming, disciplined and purposeful environments, where both children and adults thrive, remains at the heart of her work.
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Helen is passionate about providing children with rich and inspiring learning experiences and about supporting leaders to deliver the Trust鈥檚 core vision: high鈥憅uality education for all. Through academic, cultural and spiritual opportunities, pupils and colleagues are empowered to flourish and to live 鈥榣ife in all its fullness鈥 (John 10:10).
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A firm believer in lifelong learning, Helen holds a degree in English and a Master鈥檚 in Leadership and Management. She has completed the NPQEL and NPQH, as well as an Executive Leadership qualification with Ambition Institute, and became a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2023. Beyond Abbey MAT, Helen also serves as a trustee of a non鈥憄rofit organisation, reflecting her strong commitment to public service and community impact.
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Linked to the Trust鈥檚 focus on oracy, Helen鈥檚 favourite word is ubuntu a concept from Zulu and Xhosa often translated as 鈥淚 am because we are.鈥 Ubuntu captures Helen鈥檚 belief in community, compassion and shared responsibility, and underpins her approach to leadership, learning and partnership across the Trust.
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