Coffee Roulette – Apprentices Meet Jacqui Lomas, Director of School Improvement

What guidance would you have wanted at the very start of your career – before the big decisions, the steep learning curves, and the moments that shape who you become as a professional? 

For our Harris Chartered Manager Degree Apprentices, the opportunity to gain that insight comes early, thanks to our Coffee Roulette series: a programme designed to help apprentices learn directly from senior leaders across the Federation.

As the apprentices embark on their second year – fresh from a successful first year rotating across HR, Talent & Acquisition, and the Estates & Projects departments – this latest meeting came at the perfect time. Their recent academy rotations have given them a richer understanding of school life, its challenges, and the people who bring Harris values to life every day. Supported by Kent University, which has embedded modules such as Principles of Business and Business Analysis Tools with practical, relevant examples, the apprentices are beginning year two with curiosity, context, and a growing sense of purpose.

Against this backdrop, they sat down with Jacqui Lomas, Director of School Improvement, whose 27-year career in education – 18 of them with Harris – has shaped how our academies grow, improve and achieve excellence. Beginning as a maths teacher committed to inspiring young people, Jacqui shared how her deep love for the subject and for seeing students thrive set the foundation for her leadership journey. Her responsibilities evolved from holding a leadership role across two academies to a Trust-wide position supporting dozens of principals and leadership teams.

The apprentices were eager to explore not only Jacqui’s career trajectory but also the practical realities of leadership. One apprentice, who has been supporting consultant interviews within Talent & Acquisition, asked what it’s like to sit on the other side of the table. Jacqui’s response was refreshingly candid: identifying a strong candidate is about far more than experience. “You’re looking for attitude, values, purpose,” she explained. “You can develop skills. But you can’t teach belief in young people.”

When asked what advice she would give to those just starting out, her message was clear and repeated throughout the conversation: do not be afraid of mistakes. She spoke openly about her early fear of “getting things wrong” and how learning to embrace mistakes became one of the most important turning points in her growth. “It’s not the end of the world,” she said. “It’s how you learn.”

Reflecting on her mentors, Jacqui spoke warmly about the influence of Sir Dan Moynihan, noting how fortunate she was to have had a boss for most of her Harris journey who set exceptionally high standards, provided steadfast support, and encouraged genuine autonomy. “You have this exceptional leader helping you – but the expectations are high.” That blend of guidance, challenge, and the freedom to take ownership shaped her development into a leader able to drive large-scale improvement.

For the apprentices, who are at the very start of their three-year Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, the opportunity to hear directly from Jacqui offered an invaluable window into the bigger picture of how Harris works – and what leadership looks like behind the scenes. These conversations are not just coffee meetings; they are a chance to step back from day-to-day tasks and understand how each role contributes to the larger mission of delivering excellence for young people across London and Essex.

As the Coffee Roulette series continues, the apprentices will meet with other members of the Trust’s senior leadership team, deepening both their knowledge and their network. We look forward to following their journey and sharing the reflections, lessons and inspiration they gather along the way.

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