Judah Isra'el
Executive Principal · New Seeds Education
An experienced SEND and education leader with a background spanning further education, alternative provision, curriculum development, quality improvement, safeguarding, behaviour and pastoral leadership.
Professional Journey, Learner Experience & Leadership Impact
Since entering education in 2017, Judah has progressed from teaching mathematics into senior leadership roles including Principal, Director of Education and Chief Executive. His career has focused on supporting learners who require specialist, relational and highly personalised education.
Judah has worked extensively with learners with Education, Health and Care Plans and a wide range of additional needs, including social, emotional and mental health needs, autism, speech, language and communication needs, anxiety, trauma-informed support needs, disability, disengagement, low attendance, behaviour-related barriers and complex learning profiles.
He spent a significant part of his education career at Riverside Education, a leading specialist SEND provider in the West Midlands, where he served as a senior leader. During this period, Judah contributed to the leadership and quality improvement journey that supported Riverside Education in achieving an Outstanding judgement. His work included quality of education, curriculum development, learner engagement, behaviour and pastoral systems, safeguarding practice, quality assurance and preparation-for-adulthood pathways.
Judah later served as Principal at HMYOI Werrington, leading education provision within a complex secure setting. Under his leadership, quality assurance and preparation-for-adulthood pathways, the education service made significant progress across key areas including curriculum quality, learner engagement, safeguarding culture, behaviour, staff development, quality assurance and strategic improvement.
Alongside his school and college leadership experience, Judah has also developed significant experience in setting up specialist provision from the ground up. This has included sourcing and assessing suitable premises, developing site models, overseeing building compliance considerations, health and safety planning, safeguarding systems, staffing models, curriculum design, operational policies, quality assurance frameworks, local-authority engagement and readiness planning.
This combination of specialist learner experience, senior leadership, provision improvement and start-up delivery has shaped Judah's vision for New Seeds Education: a small, calm and ambitious approach to specialist post-16 education where learners are known, supported and prepared for meaningful adult lives — with Albrighton College the first of what is intended to be a wider group of specialist provisions.
A Journey into Education
Judah's leadership journey began long before he entered the classroom. Since the age of 18, he has served in multiple leadership roles within his Christian community. While studying Business Law and Finance at Birmingham City University, he organised multi-faith discussions and later established Streams of Gladness Ltd, an initiative supporting young adults as they transitioned from university into employment and adult life.
Although Judah initially planned to pursue a career in commercial law, his outlook changed as he reflected more deeply on purpose, service and the contribution he wanted to make. After working across entrepreneurship, facilities management, human resources and payroll, he was encouraged by his sister to consider teaching as a profession — she had long recognised his evident passion for teaching and public speaking, and believed those gifts belonged in a classroom.
That encouragement led him to complete a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training and begin a career focused on supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
Personal Experience & the Vision for New Seeds
Judah's commitment to SEND education is also personal. Growing up with a sister who has cerebral palsy gave him early insight into disability, inclusion, patience and person-centred support. He also gained valuable experience supporting his non-speaking goddaughter, who has autism spectrum condition, reinforcing his belief that every young person deserves to be understood, respected and supported as an individual.
Following the sudden death of his younger brother, Matthew, Judah reflected deeply on legacy, purpose and the contribution he wanted to make. From the meeting of these professional and personal experiences, the vision for New Seeds Education was born.
Judah wanted to create more than an education provision. His vision was to establish a community where learners feel safe, valued and genuinely known; where education is shaped around individual needs and aspirations; and where preparation for adulthood is central to every learner's journey.
Relevant Leadership Experience
- Senior leader at Riverside Education during its journey to an Outstanding judgement.
- Principal at HMYOI Werrington, leading significant progress across education provision in a complex secure setting.
- Experience supporting learners with SEMH, ASC, SLCN, disability, anxiety, disengagement, behaviour-related barriers, trauma-informed support needs and complex EHCP profiles.
- Leadership experience across curriculum design, quality improvement, safeguarding, behaviour, pastoral systems, learner engagement and preparation for adulthood.
- Experience developing specialist provision from the ground up, including premises, compliance, health and safety, policy development, staffing models, curriculum planning, quality assurance and local-authority engagement.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate study in education
- National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)
- PGCE Post-Compulsory Education & Training
- Business Law & Finance, Birmingham City University
Areas of Expertise
New Seeds Education brings together his professional expertise, personal journey and enduring conviction that every learner deserves the opportunity to grow, flourish and build a meaningful future.