Meet the Exeter Consortium Team

Mark Drew - Director

​Mark was involved in setting up Exeter Consortium and Exeter Supply Partnership. He continues to support the strategic direction alongside senior leaders from member schools.

Robin Scott - CPD, Marketing & ITT Coordinator

Robin joined Exeter Consortium in 2019 and helps to organise and run our large CPD programme. He is also involved with creating the Exeter Consortium newsletter as well as contributing to the Consortium's various social media accounts.

Robin also supports the administration of teacher training programmes. He is often the first point of contact for prospective trainees and assists with key aspects of the recruitment and onboarding process.​

Primary Teacher Training Team

Dawn Chapman - Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Programme Director

With over 20 years' experience in primary education across Exeter, Dawn brings extensive expertise to her role as ITT Programme Director at Exeter Consortium Schools' Alliance. Her teaching career has spanned both mainstream and specialist settings, where she held leadership roles including Phase Leader and SENCO, developing a strong commitment to inclusive practice and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Since joining Exeter Consortium in 2018, Dawn has led the design and delivery of the partnership's Initial Teacher Training programme, working collaboratively with schools across Exeter, Devon and the South West. She is passionate about developing exceptional teachers through a coherent, evidence-informed curriculum that equips trainees with the knowledge, skills and professional habits needed to have a lasting impact on pupil outcomes.
Having successfully completed the NPQ in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD), Dawn has strengthened her expertise in teacher education, instructional coaching and professional development. She works closely with colleagues to ensure trainees experience a well-sequenced programme, supported by high-quality mentoring, deliberate practice and meaningful school-based experiences. She is particularly committed to building strong school partnerships and ensuring mentors are equipped to support trainee development through effective coaching and feedback.
Dawn has supported numerous trainee teachers, Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and mentors throughout her career, believing that high-quality teacher development is fundamental to improving outcomes for all pupils, particularly those living with the impact of disadvantage.
Alongside her work in the UK, Dawn supports Nayamba School, a charity-funded school in Africa, where she has taught and worked alongside staff. This experience has broadened her perspective and reinforced her belief in the transformative power of high-quality teaching.
The most rewarding aspect of Dawn's role is building strong relationships with trainees, mentors and school leaders, supporting them to grow in confidence and expertise throughout their professional journey.

Sara Thornhill - Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Assistant Programme Lead & Senior Lead Mentor

Sara is a senior leader in education with over 30 years' teaching experience across Nursery to Year 6 in the South West, bringing extensive first-hand knowledge of primary practice to her role within Initial Teacher Training.
Having successfully completed the NPQTLD, she teaches with a clear understanding of what constitutes effective teaching, learning and development at scale. As Senior Delivery Lead for the ECT programme, Sara was responsible for ensuring cohesion and continuity across the ITTECF, so that trainees and early career teachers experience a coherent, well-sequenced pathway from initial training into their first years in the profession. Her leadership prioritised a robust, knowledge and skills-focused curriculum, with a particular emphasis on ensuring disadvantaged learners are not disadvantaged by variability in provision. Sara works closely with colleagues to build a positive coaching culture that drives consistency of best practice, rigorous quality assurance, and measurable impact on trainee development and, ultimately, pupil outcomes.

Sarah Lias - Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Administrator

Sarah is the Administrator for many aspects of our ITT programmes, including DBS checks, DfE registration, attendance monitoring and communication between schools and trainees.

​Sarah is an experienced administrator and brings a diverse background to the role, having worked as a Secondary IT teacher as well as a School Administrator.​

Meet the full Teacher Training Team here

Exeter Supply Partnership Team

Sacha Curtis - Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP) Office Manager

Sacha started as an apprentice with Exeter Consortium in 2013 and now co-ordinates the operation of Exeter Supply Partnership.

Lucy Sellers - Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP) Administrator

Lucy joined Exeter Supply Partnership to support with administration as we grow and develop, bringing new ideas and a fresh outlook.

Angela Escott – Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP) Administrator & Exeter Consortium Finance

Angela provides Administration support across the team. She is an experienced administrator, having worked in a variety of fields including Healthcare, Higher Education and Food Manufacturing.

Donna Tapp – Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP) Administrator

Donna joins Exeter Supply Partnership with a wealth of administration experience. Donna is responsible for ESP bookings and looks forward to supporting the organisation as it continues to grow.