OUR TEAM
Our Team
Christian Bunting
Chief Executive Officer
After working in Leadership positions in Secondary Schools in London & Bradford. Christian moved to work in initial teacher training. Christian has been Director of Bradford Birth to 19 for the last eight years, strategically leading a range of large scale school improvement projects in Bradford and nationally. He sits on the Bradford Opportunity Area Partnership Board and says the goal of positive social mobility through school improvement is at the heart of what drives him forward in his role.
Ben McGregor
Head of ITT
Having successfully taught at Bingley Grammar School for 19 years, working across a variety of curriculum and pastoral based roles whilst leading the ITT provision. Ben was successfully appointed as Head of Initial Teacher Training at Bradford Birth to 19 SCITT in February 2020.
He strongly believes that education plays a vital role in young people`s life chances, training great teachers is key to the success of young people in Bradford.
Lead Mentors
Holly Holden
Deputy Head of Initial Teacher Training
After starting her early career in play settings, Holly qualified to teach in 2010. She has spent the last 14 years working across all Primary age phases and specialises in Performing Arts. Holly is an SLE for Bradford Birth to 19 and has delivered training to teachers and trainees in schools across Bradford.
Since joining our SCITT team in 2018, Holly has enjoyed supporting trainees and says it is always rewarding to see our trainees achieve their goals and start an inspiring new career.
Rachel Abbott
Deputy Head of Initial Teacher Training
Rachel has worked as a teacher in Bradford for 20 years, having being born and raised here. She has led a variety of curriculum areas, Early Years and Key Stage One. Her most recent role in school being Assistant Head at Saltaire Primary. She is an SLE for Birth to 19 with a specialism in Early Years. Rachel also works as a literacy Specialist for the Burley Woodhead English Hub supporting schools and practitioners across Bradford and North Yorkshire with Early Reading.
She loves being Primary Course Leader as she believes that all trainee teachers on the SCITT programme can make a real difference to the education and life chances of young people in Bradford.
Imogen Cork
Secondary Course Leader
Imogen has worked in primary schools in Bradford for many years and has always had an interest in nurturing the next generation of teachers. She has been the Beckfoot Trust Teacher Training Lead for the past four years, supporting ITTs in their primary, secondary and special schools.
More recently, Imogen began to work with Bradford Birth to 19 SCITT and is now the secondary course lead. This has given her an exciting opportunity to support a larger number of trainee teachers who will improve the life chances of the children of Bradford.
Steve Riley
Lead Mentor
Steve Riley is our Lead Mentor. Bingley Grammar School.
Sarah McGregor
Lead Mentor
Sarah McGregor is a lead mentor for the SCITT and has been a tutor working closely with the Primary team for the last 4 years. She has loved working with trainees and watching them become enthusiastic, passionate teachers.
She has taught in schools in Bradford and Leeds, across the Primary age range, for over 20 years. She has a passion for inclusion and working with vulnerable children to ensure they reach their full potential.
Val Cattrall
Lead Mentor
Having worked for 30 years as a deputy Headteacher in different schools across 2 phases, Val has been working with Bradford Birth to 19 SCITT part time as a lead mentor.
Administrative Team
Abigail Traynor
Administrative Lead
Having successfully worked in a local Primary School for over 9 years, Abi joined Bradford Birth to 19 and took on the role of becoming an Administrative Lead / Officer for the SCITT, directly managing the Administration team.
Shazeea Hussain
Administration Officer
After working for a major airline in London Heathrow for 14 years as an Administrative Assistant, Shazeea took a career break to raise a family. She has now taken on the role as an Administrative Assistant with Bradford Birth to 19.
Semina Farooqi
Administration Officer
After taking a career break Semina joined Bradford Birth to 19 in January 2018. Semina is involved in the admissions and recruitment process for the SCITT trainees.
Hanaa Qureshi
Administration Officer
Having worked in a local Secondary School for 4 years, Hannaa joined Bradford Birth to 19 in 2017. Hannaa is involved in the admissions and recruitment process for the SCITT trainees.
Marketing Team
Anna Mykhalchyshyna
Business Development Officer
After 10 years of work as a Marketing and Sales Director in an automotive company in Ukraine, Anna moved to work in education as a secondary school manager. Anna is proud to have now joined the Bradford Birth to 19 Team in June 2022 as an Administrator.
Renaah Khalid
Marketing and Social Media Lead
Renaah has a marketing background and has previously worked in the care sector. She has a passion for giving back to the community and is excited about the development of 50 Things To Do.
Natalie Waller
Marketing and Design Lead
Natalie joined the team in February 2023, with previous experience volunteering in educational settings, working with young people in sports and a professional background in the luxury marketing industry.
Imogen Chancellor
Marketing and Communications Officer
Imogen's marketing background comes from both her educational and professional experience. She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Marketing as well as practical digital marketing experience within the cocktail drinks sector. She has volunteered with young children in America and Australia.
Amelia Mather
Creative Content Writer
Amelia has a background in English literature and she uses her writing abilities alongside the marketing team. Previously working as an invigilator in a secondary school and volunteering in a women’s charity group centred around refugee and asylum seekers, Amelia has a real passion for understanding what makes different communities unique.