Progress Schools confirm new managing director

Leading alternative education provider Progress Schools has confirmed the appointment of Charlotte Barton as managing director after a five-month interim position. 

Charlotte, who previously worked as The Educational Executive for Progress Schools, has been with the organisation since its inception in 2016. 

Charlotte’s entire working career has consisted of working with students who have significant barriers to education.  

She started her career in a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) behavioural unit and later moved into alternative education. 

Holding a Master’s degree in educational leadership, Charlotte is well-equipped with the knowledge and experience to lead Progress Schools as they enter a pivotal era of growth and expansion. 

The post will see Charlotte spearhead national operations for Progress Schools and lead the ambitious quality improvement and strategic development of the alternative provision provider. 

During the last five months, she has been in discovery phase, enabling her to develop sustainable plans for Progress Schools. 

Talking about her appointment, Charlotte said: “I am humbled to be given this opportunity and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our students receive the highest quality education. 

“We have ambitious growth plans that will see Progress Schools grow its national footprint and support more young people to access a high-quality alternative education.  

“The next two years will be pivotal in our history, and I am delighted to be leading the organisation into the future.” 

Charlotte is keen to continue the work Progress Schools has done to tackle unregistered alternative provisions and campaign for change in the sector. 

“Whilst our campaigning has had some positive effects, there is still work to be done to challenge the government on its education priorities.  

“As a business, we are committed to tackling unregistered providers and promoting the importance of quality compliance in those educational settings.  

“However, the system needs to recognise that children who have been failed by the main system need different ways of engagement, teaching and learning.  

“This inevitably does not fit neatly into existing quality assurance frameworks and these need to be seen through a different lens.”

Speaking on Charlotte’s appointment, The Progress Group CEO, Jayne Worthington, said: “As a group of training and education specialists, ensuring that we have a leadership team that shares our vision and values is crucial. 

“The training and education landscape is changing rapidly. We must ensure we remain at the forefront and provide our learners with skills, tools, and knowledge to progress into positive destinations. 

 “I am confident that Charlotte will lead Progress Schools into a new era.  

“Her extensive background in education and compliance and her belief in the potential of our students makes her the perfect person to drive forward our growth plans, and she has already hit the ground running.”