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Our Executive Team

Paul Shanks

Chief Executive Officer

Having trained as a teacher in York, Paul started his teaching career teaching in a large primary school in King's Lynn before progressing through various school leadership roles, including headship. During 13 years as a head teacher Paul led two schools to good Ofsted outcomes, one of which was the school’s first ever good judgement.

Paul worked on the Primary Leadership Programme as a senior leadership mentor before working on the Improving Schools Programme. This led to his appointment of School Improvement Regional Adviser for the National Strategies providing school improvement challenge and support to Local Authorities across the East Midlands and East of England. Paul then moved into the role of Deputy Senior School Improvement Adviser and Data Lead for the East of England where he developed the skills and experience to write and deliver core training and support to Local Authorities and schools, including the Improving Schools Handbook.

As part of his role within the National Strategies, Paul also worked closely with schools deemed Hard to Shift or underperforming to secure rapid school improvement and improved outcomes for all children. On leaving the National Strategies Paul returned to headship in King's Lynn before joining Eastern Multi Academy Trust in September 2017. In September 2018 Paul was made Director of Primary Education and successfully led on the development and implementation of the knowledge led curriculum approach across all academies as well as providing leadership and deployment of the primary support team.

In April 2021, Paul took up the role of Acting CEO where he continues to lead the strategic direction of Eastern Multi Academy Trust. In October 2021 Paul was made the permanent Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Multi-Academy Trust with immediate effect. In his role as CEO, Paul is the champion for all children within the Trust and works closely with all stakeholders to ensure that they receive the best possible educational experience.