Meet the Strategic Board
Mid Essex ITT was set up at Chelmer Valley High School in 1994 and is one of the oldest SCITT (School-Based Initial Teacher Training) programmes in the country. You can read about the history of the programme here.
It is overseen by a Strategic Board of Headteachers from our partnership schools, and many of the schools have been working with Mid Essex ITT for over 30 years. There are currently 17 secondary schools in the partnership and you can read about them here.
See below the structure of governance for Mid Essex ITT
The Strategic Board is chaired by Mark Farmer, the CEO of Bridge Academy Trust (pictured).
Members of the Strategic Board for the 2026/27 academic year are:
- Mark Farmer, CEO of Bridge Academy Trust
- Steve Fox, Director of Mid Essex ITT
- Doug Brechin, Director of Saffron Walden Teaching School Hub
- Paul Finch, Headteacher of Hedingham School and Sixth Form
- Trevor Lawn, Headteacher of Alec Hunter Academy
- Damian Lee, Headteacher of Mayflower High School
- Julia Mead, Headteacher of Moulsham High School
- Katie Scarnell, Headteacher of Lift Greensward
Mid Essex ITT has its offices at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form, where its weekly training takes place.
