Our Executive Leadership Team

Antony Hughes, Chief Executive Officer

Antony's role as the Chief Executive is to work closely with his Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Board of Trustees to provide outstanding strategic leadership for The Harmony Trust ensuring continuing success and sustainability in our Academies. He works closely with his Trust Leadership Team which includes Principals and Heads of Teams to ensure effective leadership across our 17 academies and our Infrastructure support teams. Antony is accountable for ensuring high standards of education, ensuring every child attends a GreatPlace2Learn and that staff are well supported in meeting that aim through Harmony's Great Place2Work strategy.

Antony has been CEO for the last nine years and overseen a successful expansion of the Trust and continued improvements in children's achievement and academy performance.  Prior to joining Harmony, Antony spent his entire career in education and children's services, holding senior executive positions in national and local government.  Antony is passionate about education with a continued commitment to all children experiencing an excellent education with their parents and carers as our key partners.

Jessica Hughes, Director of Education

The role of the Director of Education is to support the CEO and Board of Trustees in achieving their ambition for all Harmony Academies to be GreatPlaces2Learn and GreatPlaces2Work. Jessica advises on the education aspects of our strategic plan, facilitates and develops policy and trust wide frameworks, supports the academy improvement cycle and is integral to the evaluation, support and challenge that is offered to all Harmony Academies. Jessica began her teaching career in the Early Years Foundation stage after achieving BSc Hons in Maths with QTS. She has taught across the primary age phase and has always been committed to improving outcomes for children living in challenging circumstances and disadvantaged communities. In September 2013, she took up post of Headteacher at Richmond Primary School quickly improving outcomes for all pupils through school improvement. 

Key Achievements with Harmony: 

- As Principal led and developed the Richmond Academy team to take the academy from Special Measures to Good 

- Opened Northmoor Academy as Executive Principal in September 2016 developing specialist provision for EAL and INA pupils 

- Supported and mentored new Headteachers and Principals across Oldham and Derby

- Led successful borough wide initiatives including SSIF funded ‘Improving Outcomes for EAL Pupils’ and a number of CPD commissions through the DFE Opportunity Area including SEND, Reading, EYFS and Newly Arrived Pupils 

Sarah Taylor, Assistant Director - Educational Excellence

As Assistant Director of Education, Sarah leads the Learning Matters element of the Great Place 2 Learn Strategy; developing a high quality, evidence informed Trust-wide CPD offer which enhances skills and expertise across the organisation.  She has also led on the development of the Harmony Model Curriculum Framework and supports its efffective implementation across each academy.  

Sarah began her teaching career at what is now Greenhill Academy 20 years ago and has since taught in four of our Harmony Academies.  During this time, she has held a variety of leadership roles at an operational and strategic level to ensure Harmony pupils receive the highest possible quality of education and staff are confident and professionally developed.  She continues to support teaching assistants,  teachers and leaders at all levels through coaching, mentoring and hands-on guidance.

Sharon Costello, Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer has responsibility for all aspects of Trust Finance. Delivering operational rigour and strategic direction, Sharon plays an integral role in supporting the growth and development of The Harmony Trust whilst ensuring financial viability and regulatory compliance.

Sharon is a fully qualified accountant (ACMA) with over 30 years’ experience working within the public sector and not-for-profit business environments. She has been a strategic finance leader/finance director for the past 20 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in facilitating, managing and delivering business change as well as excellent leadership and relationship-building skills. A key priority for Sharon is working within a values-based organisation that delivers high outcomes for the children, staff and communities that are supported by Harmony Trust.

Melanie Eccles, Assistant Director - Educational Improvement

Melanie began her teaching in Oldham after achieving a BEd (HONS) in Primary Education.  She has taught across the primary age phase from EYFS to Year 6, with many of her 28 teaching years being dedicated to providing children with firm foundations for learning in the Early Years.  In September 2013, Melanie took up the position of Headteacher at Greenhill Academy in Glodwick and was also the Head of the Harmony Teaching School Alliance where she worked with both school leadership teams and practitioners to improve provision and practice in their schools as part of the Oldham Opportunity Area.  

Melanie was appointed Executive Principal of Greenhill Academy, Oldham and Greenfield Academy, Hyde in January 2020, leading Greenfield Academy on a rapid improvement journey securing a GOOD Ofsted judgement within 3 years and improving outcomes for all pupils.  She has is an experienced school leader who has led the development and delivery of training programmes and school to school support commissioned by the DfE through initiatives such as Priority Education Improvement Areas.

Wendy May, Assistant Director - Inclusive Education

The role of the Assistant Director for Inclusive Education is to lead Inclusion, Pupil Development and Well-being, Behaviour, Attendance and Safeguarding across the organisation. The current strategic plan priority is leading one of the Trust's key change projects; the implementation of Inclusion Hubs in Derby following their success at Greenhill and Richmond Academies. Wendy works closely with Principals, Inclusion Hubs staff and the parent community, responding to needs and supporting all pupils to thrive. 

Wendy has worked in education throughout her career. She qualified as a teacher after achieving a MA (Oxon) in Experimental Psychology. She has taught across the primary age range and has focused on ensuring all pupils have access to an excellent education and have improved outcomes. Wendy has held a range of leadership roles in schools and the wider Trust. In her current role within the Executive Leadership Team Wendy provides strategic support and ongoing advice to empower leaders and wider staff teams to ensure improved outcomes for all pupils, with a focus on the whole child and with inclusivity at its heart.