The Leadership Team (ID 1348)

• Steve Fox
  Mid Essex ITT Director, PGCE Lead
  Steve Fox

  Steve Fox is the Director of Mid Essex Initial Teacher Training. Having previously served as Assistant Director, he brings deep experience, continuity and a strong personal commitment to the organisation and the schools it serves. Steve has spent his career working with trainee teachers, mentors and school leaders, and is passionate about helping new teachers develop into confident, reflective professionals. He takes great pride in seeing trainees grow, knowing that many go on to make a lasting difference in classrooms and communities across Essex and beyond. In his previous role as Assistant Director, Steve worked across the full breadth of ITT leadership. He led on curriculum design, quality assurance, assessment, external moderation and statutory compliance, and oversaw the Assessment Only route into teaching. He also played a key role in securing Outstanding judgements in all areas during Ofsted and in successfully guiding Mid Essex ITT through the re accreditation process.

  Alongside his work at Mid Essex ITT, Steve has taught on PGCE programmes with Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Greenwich. These experiences have strengthened his understanding of teacher education across different routes while keeping his work firmly rooted in the realities of classroom practice.

  Steve is a research engaged leader who values evidence informed practice, clear communication and thoughtful leadership. He is known for leading with integrity, calmness and compassion, balancing high expectations with genuine care for wellbeing. His professional values align closely with those of Mid Essex ITT: being committed, optimistic, research informed and effective. He is deeply committed to equality, diversity, safeguarding and ensuring every trainee receives a high quality, supportive and enriching training experience.

• Holly Sutton
  Mid Essex ITT Assistant Director, Course Tutor
  Holly Sutton

  Holly Sutton is the Assistant Director of Mid Essex Initial Teacher Training. Holly has worked at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form since 2007 and has held a range of leadership roles throughout her career. She began as a Lead Teacher and served as Head of Year for five years before being appointed Assistant Headteacher and Head of Braintree Sixth Form in 2016.

  Alongside her leadership responsibilities, Holly has been a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) in English, supporting colleagues and schools in developing outstanding teaching and learning practices. In 2014, she completed a Master's degree in Educational Research at the University of Cambridge, further strengthening her commitment to evidence-informed practice and educational improvement. Since 2020, Holly has worked as a Course Tutor for Mid Essex Initial Teacher Training (MEITT), supporting and mentoring trainee teachers as they begin their careers in education. She is passionate about developing the next generation of educators and helping them build the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for successful teaching careers, commencing as Assistant Director in 2026. Holly is also a PGCE assessor working closely alongside Anglia Ruskin University.  Holly has a particular interest in student wellbeing, safeguarding, and professional development. In 2026, she completed the Advanced Certificate in Safeguarding for Designated Safeguarding Leads, further enhancing her expertise in creating safe and supportive educational environments for young people. Through her extensive experience in teaching, leadership, teacher training, and safeguarding, Holly remains dedicated to ensuring high standards of education and positive outcomes for both students and staff.

• Sarah-Jayne Sieg
  Course Tutor, Assessment Only Lead
  Sarah-Jayne Sieg

  Sarah-Jayne joined MEITT in September 2022 as a Course Tutor and is very keen to work closely with training teachers and support them on their exciting journey.

  Sarah-Jayne is an experienced mentor, having worked with many trainees and early careers colleagues since starting out as a Teacher of MFL in 2005, with specialisms in German and French. She went on to lead a happy and successful MFL team and became Professional Tutor for the school, ensuring high-quality mentoring and provision for all trainees and new teachers.

  As Assistant Head Teacher, she focused on Teaching and Learning and Professional Development across the school as well as continuing as Professional Tutor and running her MFL Department. Her experience in a variety of areas across all subjects enables Sarah-Jayne to support colleagues at all points in their career and she believes that the right balance of positivity and challenge will bring out the best in anyone.

• Dan Suen
  Course Tutor, ITaP Lead
  Dan Suen

  Daniel joined Mid Essex ITT in 2025 as a Course Tutor, building upon a range of experience in teacher development, instructional coaching and curriculum design.

  Since qualifying in 2015, Daniel has worked in a range of roles across Essex, including Faculty Lead for Humanities, ITT/ECT Coordinator, and most recently, Lead Practitioner for Instructional Coaching. In this role, he led the whole-school coaching programme and oversaw the provision for ITT and ECT colleagues.

  He holds an NPQ in Leading Teaching, has completed Level 2 NASBTT training in Instructional Coaching, and has achieved the Steplab Certificate in Coaching Leadership. Daniel is particularly passionate about evidence-informed teaching, supporting early career teachers, and the use of technology to enhance practice.

• Julie Rickards
  Senior Course Administrator
  Julie Rickards

  Julie joined MEITT as a part-time course administrator in September 2020, supporting the core team of CourseTutors and the Director.

  Julie, also known as Joolz, took over the role of Senior Course Administrator in April 2023. Her background is in journalism. She is a key player in the friendly team of MEITT staff and is always happy to undertake a variety of tasks with confidence and a positive manner.

• Ellie Kennedy
  Course Administrator
  Ellie Kennedy

  Ellie undertook teacher training with Mid-Essex ITT in the 2022/23 academic year and was lucky enough to stay on at her A placement school to complete the ECT program.

  Since then, Ellie has come back to Mid-Essex ITT in 2026 in a new role to work as an administrator to help out the MEITT team in the best way possible. Ellie is excited to help out and support everyone as much as possible.