Mark Hayes wins Lifetime Achievement Award at the Essex Teaching Awards 2019

Mark Hayes (1976) is the Chair of Governors for Saffron Walden County High School and the Chair of Saffron Academy Trust. On Tuesday 5 February, he was recognised at the Essex Teaching Awards for over 30 years of commitment in this voluntary capacity.

Mark’s outstanding governance has been recognised as a contributing factor to the exceptional quality of all aspects of the school. He has developed mutually supportive and ambitious partnerships with all the head teachers he has worked with using his professional expertise to help to make their visions a reality.

Mark drove major developments in the school, including the redevelopment of the school hall, which is now used as a music venue offering wider access to arts education. He also expanded the Academy Trust to take in schools in challenging circumstances. During his time in post Mark has enabled his school to become the model of what state education can aspire to be.

He plans to continue as the Chair of Saffron Academy Trust as they finalise arrangements for further schools to join the Trust.