Making a positive difference to the lives and potential of young people is the mantra of Tina Evans, the new CEO of Salisbury Plain Academies (SPA).

Tina starts her new role in August. The SPA trust is made up of St Michael’s Figheldean, Bulford St Leonard’s and Durrington All Saints’ Infant school and Avon Valley College.

On her aims for the schools, she said: “I want our schools to become such exciting centres of learning and opportunity, that they are the natural first choice for parents, for teachers and for leaders.”

“I am very excited about my new role and I truly believe that the future is bright for Salisbury Plain Academies.”

She has already been working with the three primary schools in the trust for the past twelve months as the external adviser for school improvement.

“As I work with the schools already I am very much looking forward to continuing that journey with them. I have seen such a lot of progress within the last year; and a huge commitment from staff not only in their teaching but, in a determination to improve their leadership skills. I am looking forward to being part of the SPA success story,” she said.

Tina, who lives in Salisbury, has had a varied career in education working as a primary school teacher, key stage leader, deputy head teacher and head teacher in a variety of settings – both in the UK and overseas with military schools in Germany.

“I have been enthralled by education for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I have enjoyed two rewarding headships. My first from 2004 at Zouch Primary School in Tidworth; my second from 2008 at Downton Primary School near Salisbury, where we were proud to be awarded a judgement of Outstanding in the school’s Ofsted inspection.”

It was her links with the area that made Tina decide to apply for the CEO role.

“I am committed to the children and families across Salisbury Plain. I have built up good relationships across a wide sector and having worked in Germany and Tidworth for many years, I understand the military context too.”

Tina will be taking over from retiring CEO Helen Mathieson.

CEO Helen Mathieson said: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Tina Evans, she is a highly respected and admired educationalist, who is well known in Wiltshire for the excellence of her leadership and commitment to high standards. SPA is hugely committed to the children of Salisbury Plain and I know that Tina will enjoy, as I have enjoyed, the opportunity to work with such dedicated professionals.”