Malcolm Goddard has 17 years of experience as a headteacher of 2 primary schools, leading his first school from satisfactory to outstanding (and maintaining this) over his 12 years and his second school from inadequate (LA judgement) to good within 3 years of appointment.
He has also during his career been:

• A school improvement advisor for a local authority with responsibility for school leadership across the whole authority.

• A consultant headteacher

• An elected chair leading a successful collaboration of 26 primary schools

• A Local Leader of Education (LLE)

• A Kent Leader of Education (KLE)

• A Professional Partner and mentor to many newly appointed headteachers

• A financial consultant for a local authority supporting schools in financial difficulty

• A pupil premium champion developing a whole school strategy

• An external consultant for Headteacher Performance Management

• A leadership trainer for large groups of headteachers, governors and teachers

He is now a lead advisor for Optimus Education working across their SEND, Inclusion, Wellbeing and Personal Development awards supporting Special, Primary, Secondary, Independent and International schools as well as providing a wide range of governor training sessions through Governance Connected.

Melanie has been a Parent Governor and Vice-Chair in a Single Academy Trust, where she saw first-hand how effective governance shapes school culture. Since then, she has worked across three Local Authorities and within a Multi Academy Trust, as well as serving as an Independent Executive Board (IEB) Member in the primary sector.

Melanie is passionate about the power of effective governance to transform outcomes for young people and their communities. With a strategic and collaborative approach, she works alongside Governing Boards, Trusts, and School Leaders to strengthen leadership, embed sustainable structures, and drive improvement across the education system.

Some of Melanie's career highlights include:

• Driving governance strategy and improvement through IEB membership, complaints resolution, and External Reviews of Governance

• Designing and delivering training and conferences for Governors and Clerks

• Supporting Federations and sustainable systems within Academy Trusts

• Serving as Chair of the regional NAGAS group and member of the National Board

Alongside this, she brings extensive experience in delivering governance training, Clerking & Development services, and building networks that enable professional growth and peer support.

With over 20 years of experience supporting leaders across insurance, banking, and education, Mel Aitken brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an Education Governance Consultant.  
Having worked extensively with free schools, academy trusts, and independent schools, she understands the pivotal role governance plays in driving positive outcomes for children and young people.  
In 2023, Mel founded Simply Professional Governance Ltd, supporting multi-academy trusts and schools with everything from governance reform and compliance to training and onboarding new governors.
Recognised nationally as a finalist in the NGA Outstanding Governance Lead Awards, Mel is known for her innovative thinking, clear communication and ability to strengthen systems, ensuring that governance is both robust and rooted in the lived experiences of stakeholders.