Meet the
Board.
New Seeds Education is led by its Executive Principal and Responsible Director, Judah Isra'el, and its Director of Education & Outcomes, Nico Hughes, supported by an Advisory Board of experienced professionals offering independent advice, specialist insight and constructive challenge.
As New Seeds Education develops specialist education pathways, the Advisory Board provides independent advice, professional challenge and specialist insight across education, SEND, safeguarding, quality, finance, employability, premises and industry partnerships.
Our advisory arrangements are rooted in the values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. We are committed to creating thoughtful, safe and ambitious specialist provision that removes social, emotional and educational barriers and helps young people move towards meaningful adult lives.
The Executive Principal and Responsible Director retains legal responsibility for New Seeds Education Ltd, including the organisation's strategic direction, safeguarding assurance, financial stewardship, compliance arrangements and long-term development.
Our Advisory Board
Our confirmed advisers collectively bring over 60 years' experience across education leadership, SEND, safeguarding, finance, employability and organisational development. They provide specialist expertise, strategic oversight and independent challenge to support quality, compliance, workforce development and learner outcomes as New Seeds Education develops its Albrighton College and future education pathways.
Hannah Kendall
Chair of the Advisory Board & Safeguarding Adviser
Hannah brings more than 15 years' experience in specialist SEND education. As the founding headteacher of Riverside Education, she established and led an independent specialist SEND provision from registration through to embedded operation and inspection.
She provides strategic advice on specialist provision, safeguarding culture, leadership and quality development.
Antony Maguire
Premises, Health & Safety & Regulatory Adviser
Antony is a retired Ofsted inspector with more than 40 years of experience in independent-school inspection and development.
He has supported the establishment and development of several specialist education settings across the West Midlands, including Riverside Education and Blackwater Academy. He advises on premises readiness, health and safety, accessibility, fire safety, risk management and regulatory preparation.
Henry Qu
Finance & Commercial Adviser
Henry is the Founder and Chief Executive of Gateway Education and has more than 20 years' experience in education management, business development and financial leadership.
With a Master's degree specialising in Accounting and Finance, he provides commercial insight and strategic advice on financial planning, sustainable growth, investment decisions and the responsible use of resources.
Areas of Advisory Focus
The Advisory Board provides advice and challenge across key areas of organisational development.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Helping to shape a strong safeguarding culture and appropriate policies, systems and accountability.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Supporting the development of inclusive, high-quality provision for young people with SEND.
Quality of Education
Advising on curriculum design, learner experience, outcomes and continuous improvement.
Preparation for Adulthood
Supporting pathways that build independence, employability, confidence, community participation and meaningful progression.
Finance and Sustainability
Providing challenge and insight on financial planning, resource allocation and sustainable growth.
Premises, Health and Safety
Supporting safe, accessible and appropriate environments for learners, staff and visitors.
Employer and Industry Partnerships
Helping to develop employer links, work-related learning and meaningful progression opportunities.
Organisational Structure and Accountability Lines
New Seeds Education Ltd is the group parent entity. Accountability is delegated through named leaders with distinct, unambiguous remits across both colleges. The College Manager leads day-to-day operations, supported by the SENCo (Specialist Oversight) and Therapy Lead.
Judah Isra'el
Executive Principal
Governance, legal accountability, organisational strategy, financial oversight and safeguarding assurance.
Nico Hughes
Director of Education & Outcomes
Quality of education, curriculum, learner outcomes and leadership oversight.
Keshia Toolsee
College Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Day-to-day provision, culture, staffing, attendance, behaviour and safeguarding operations. Reports to the Director of Education & Outcomes.
Abby Shaw
SENCo (Specialist Oversight) & Deputy DSL
Specialist oversight of SEND practice, EHCP processes and statutory SEND compliance. Reports to the College Manager.
Olivia Isra'el
Therapy Lead
Therapeutic practice, clinical quality and therapeutically informed support.
Our values guide the board
Every conversation, every challenge, every decision is grounded in the Triple R.
Family and Learner Voice
New Seeds Education is committed to listening to young people, families, professionals and local authority partners as provision develops.
Their insight will help shape how we design learning environments, support arrangements, communication systems and preparation-for-adulthood pathways.
Future Governance
As New Seeds Education develops further provision, its governance arrangements will evolve in line with the legal status, age range, regulatory requirements and scale of each setting.
Where future settings require formal school governance arrangements, New Seeds Education will establish structures that reflect the responsibilities and needs of that particular provision.
Important Information
Advisory Board members provide independent advice, specialist knowledge and constructive challenge. They do not hold legal director responsibilities for New Seeds Education Ltd.
Legal accountability for the organisation remains with its Executive Principal and Responsible Director.