Reach South Academy Trust names Tom Leverage as CEO

Reach South Academy Trust has appointed Tom Leverage as its next chief executive, succeeding founding chief executive Dean Ashton.

Leverage will take up the post in September 2025. He joins from Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Trust, a group of 19 schools.

Ashton has led Reach South since its establishment in 2016. Under his leadership, the trust has expanded to 17 schools, with 87.5% now rated “Good” or better by Ofsted.

Leverage is a Cambridge graduate and former teacher, deputy headteacher, headteacher and executive leader in both state and independent schools. He has led schools to Ofsted “outstanding” and supported improvement in schools previously judged inadequate.

He has held leadership roles in four academy trusts, is a National Leader of Education, and sits on the Department for Education’s Regional Advisory Board for the West Midlands.

Ashton said: “It has been an honour to serve as the founding CEO of Reach South and it has been an incredible nine years. We founded the trust on the belief that every child is entitled to an outstanding education, empowering them to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.

“Our focus has always been on enabling professional creativity and innovation to thrive, so schools can design curricula that are deeply relevant to their communities and rooted in our values. For us, social mobility means putting schools at the heart of thriving communities. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved – and I am confident Reach South will continue to grow under Tom’s leadership.”

Leverage said: “I am extremely proud to have been appointed to lead the Reach South family of schools through the next stage of their growth and development. I recognise that I will be joining a trust that is deeply committed to collaboration, inclusion, and educational excellence.It is clear to me that Reach South is a trust where its values are visible in every decision. It was founded by teachers, for children, with inclusivity and high expectations at its heart.

“This is a trust that is unapologetic in its pursuit of excellence. I look forward to working with the children, families, and staff who have already achieved so much – and to building on this exceptional foundation in the years ahead. As we look to the future, we will rise to the challenge outlined by the new government and continue to develop Reach South as a national example of best practice for inclusion in UK education.”

He added: “Through a relentless focus on improvement, we are committed to ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve and provides an exceptional education across our academies. As a collaborative group, we are stronger and more empowered; we can collectively raise the educational aspirations of our children and prepare tomorrow’s adults.”