Simon Laheney, Chief Executive Officer

Simon has been Headteacher at Furness Academy since 2015, implementing a school improvement strategy which saw the school progress from ‘special measures’ to ‘good’ by October 2017.

Prior to his role at Furness Academy, Simon was Head of Sixth Form at Branston Community College, before moving back to Cumbria and taking up the Assistant Headteacher position at Millom School in 2007. Simon was promoted to Headteacher in 2013, after holding the Deputy Headteacher position focusing on curriculum and teaching and learning.

Furness Academy has seen a significant uptake in student numbers since September 2015 and has been oversubscribed since 2018. The school’s finances have significantly improved during this period,  moving from a substantial deficit to a sound financial position.

Simon was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Furness Education Trust during the merger of Furness Academies Trust and Inspired Learning Trust. Simon brings a wealth of education knowledge and proven record of school improvement to this role.

Janine Pierce, Director of Education and Headteacher

Janine has been a Headteacher for 17 years and a National Leader of Education (NLE) for the last 9 years.  She has led and managed two very different schools; the first a small CE village school (Ireleth St Peter’s) with a large teaching commitment and the second at Yarlside Academy, a single-form entry school.  Yarlside was graded Outstanding by Ofsted in January 2013 and since then the school team have worked hard to maintain that standard, placing them in the top 1% of primary schools in the country.  Janine has led schools through three successful Ofsted inspections and converted Yarlside to an academy as part of a multi academy trust.

In September 2021 Janine became an Executive Headteacher leading both Yarlside and Victoria Academies.  Janine also moved into the Primary Lead role at Furness Education Trust, prioritising trust-wide curriculum development across the trust primary schools.

In Janine’s NLE role she has supported a number of schools within Barrow and across South Cumbria in varying situations and has achieved success in supporting schools in moving out of an Ofsted category.  Janine has expertise in strategic school improvement planning and leading quality-first teaching and learning.

Helen Robinson, Headteacher

Anthony Costa, Headteacher

Anthony is a newly appointed headteacher at Parkside Academy and nominated individual for the Parkside Academy Baby Room. Before this, he was headteacher at Broughton-in-Furness C of E Primary and Nursery School. There, he completely redesigned the school curriculum, restructured the school, led the school through a very successful Ofsted and project managed the building of a £1 million new Nursery development catering for children aged 2 and up, whilst maintaining a teaching commitment. He raised attainment levels, whilst also helping to establish focused Forest Schools sessions in-keeping with the beautiful rural location . Anthony also helped to set up and develop strong links with local businesses and helped the school to consider its long-term strategic focus and support by joining the Furness Primary Collaborative. Being a keen sportsman, Anthony also ensured that children were given the opportunity to compete in a variety of events, not allowing location to hinder development. 

Before this leadership position, Anthony worked at St George’s C of E Primary School and Nursery for 10 years, predominantly as a Year 6 teacher. There, he was part of a team that went through three successful Ofsted inspections, was a prominent leader and middle leader, and also subject lead in many areas. He helped the school to achieve consistently good end of Key Stage 2 results and thoroughly enjoyed his many years of teaching. 

Anthony is passionate for the future of Barrow and works closely with other schools and local businesses, seeking opportunities to ensure we provide the very best for our community. 

Fiona Doran, Headteacher

Fiona is a headteacher of a small village school, a position she has had for 9 years.  As a headteacher of a small school, Fiona also has a significant teaching commitment and has taught across both primary key stages.  Her first teaching position was at Ireleth St Peter’s CofE School where she taught a class of 31 pupils from Year 3 to Year 6.  Fiona’s current teaching responsibilities are within Key Stage 1. 

Fiona has a wealth of skills and experience within Special Educational Needs and has been a SENCO for 19 years.  Fiona’s degree specialism was SEND and she graduated from St Martins College, Lancaster with a first class degree in Primary Education.  Keen to progress, she completed her NPQH in 2014. Fiona has a passion for inclusive learning and ensuring that every child’s needs are fully catered for so that all individuals can reach their potential and achieve their ambitions. 

As well as working closely with the headteachers of Furness Education Trust, Fiona enjoys a strong partnership with heads from the Furness Primary Collaborative.  The FPC is a group of 14 schools who have successfully worked together on a number of projects to develop and enhance the educational provision for pupils across Dalton and Ulverston.  She is currently involved in a Reading Project to improve phonic knowledge, fluency and comprehension, supporting a team of English Subject Leaders and Reading Leads to improve these aspects within their own schools.

Liam Reid, Headteacher

Liam is the newly appointed seconded Headteacher at Newton Village Academy, having previously been Assistant Headteacher, Head of Curriculum and Key Stage 2 Lead at Parkside Academy, whilst also teaching Year 6.

Liam joined Parkside Academy in 2024 and became an integral part of the school’s leadership team, supporting curriculum development, teaching and learning and wider school improvement. He holds a qualification in instructional coaching, which supports his work in developing high-quality teaching and professional development. In 2026, he was part of the leadership team during the school’s successful Ofsted inspection under the new inspection framework and has recently helped the school achieve some of its strongest end of Key Stage 2 results.

Before joining Parkside, Liam spent ten years at St James’ C of E Junior School, where he gained a wealth of experience teaching across Key Stage 2 before being appointed Assistant Headteacher in 2020. Sport was a particular focus, with Liam developing partnerships with a range of organisations and bringing county and Northern England-wide sporting opportunities to pupils.

Liam began working with children as a sports coach in 2005 and has since gained extensive coaching and leadership experience within the game. A former Academy Manager at Barrow AFC and one of the most highly qualified sports coaches in the county, he is now a director of Lakes Soccer Club, which provides football opportunities for up to 225 local children each week. Alongside his managerial responsibilities, Liam continues to coach regularly and is passionate about increasing opportunities for young people across the local area.

Before pursuing his career in education, Liam also worked as a journalist for the Press Association, providing sports journalism and live football coverage across the English Football League.

Liam is passionate about ensuring children are given ambitious opportunities both within and beyond the classroom and believes strongly in schools working closely with their communities.

Matt Connell, Headteacher