Our Leadership Team
Here at Edstart Schools Salford we pride ourselves on finding and hiring the best team possible to deliver the best results. Check out our leadership team below.
Proprietor and Governors
James Lowe
Proprietor
After teaching sport, public services and social policy in different sectors across Greater Manchester, James registered EdStart Schools in 2010 and, from there, has been responsible for its growth from our original site in Salford, to a further 9 DfE registered sites across the region. He has also supported several Local Authorities in developing the landscape of alternative provision; most recently working on the successful DfE ‘Alternative Provision Innovation Fund’ bid for Salford City Council.
james@edstartschools.com
0300 303 4414 (option 1 then Head Office option)
5 Gerald Road, Salford, M6 6DW
Find James on Linkedin
Peter Irwin
Chair of Governors
As a retired Senior Leader and Headteacher, Peter is still heavily involved in Education. He is Chair of Governors at a Salford Primary School and supports the EdStart Schools leadership team with his knowledge and experience around pastoral support in schools. Peter has been with James from the start of the school and has advised throughout its growth to ensure the quality and standards have been maintained.
Email: peter_irwin@btinternet.com
Mike Platt
Governor
Mike has been a Headteacher since 1998. He has considerable leadership experience as a headteacher of two very different primary schools in Salford leading them both to outstanding school status. In 2014 Mike was appointed as a seconded Team Inspector for Ofsted. He has also worked for the local authority as a seconded School Improvement Officer and also completed a role as Executive Headteacher. He is currently the serving Headteacher of a legacy National Teaching School. Mike’s particular areas of expertise are in Maths, PE, KS2 and EYFS.
Leadership team
Kevin Buchanan
Director of Education (Interim Headteacher Wirral)
Kevin is an experienced mainstream and specialist school senior leader within safeguarding, welfare and inclusion education. He has proven experience of leading service change and building multi-agency partnerships in Third Sector, NHS, CAMHS, School Inclusion and Alternative Provision pathways. Kevin’s day-to-day work involves developing specialist provision, SEND, family and outreach work to vulnerable students and their parents/carers.
Micky Mellon
Director of Leadership and Culture
A successful ex-Professional Footballer who played nearly 500 games in a career that saw him represent many high-profile clubs such as Burnley, Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion, Micky also achieved great things as a Manager/Coach, winning 8 promotions over 700 games at Fleetwood Town, Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Dundee United and Tranmere Rovers. In addition to his work in football, Micky has also co-authored a book about effective leadership, entitled ‘The First 100 Days’, published by Reach Sport.
Jayne Szpunar
Head of SEND
Jayne has worked in Education for 30 years. Initially as a Science teacher she has since taught a variety of subjects and held pastoral roles in Primary and High schools in the UK and Australia. Jayne worked as an advisory teacher for children in care for 15 years and this is when she discovered her passion for supporting children with SEND to achieve better Outcomes. Qualifying as a SENDCo in 2015 Jayne has held positions as a High School SENDCo and Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for SEND. Jayne also has a post graduate certificate in Autism and Asperger's.