Carl joined The Two Counties Trust in September 2023 as Assistant Headteacher (Student Experience).
In his role, Carl works closely with the Executive Headteacher (Student Experience) to ensure that Personal Development education and opportunities are extensive and impactful. He also provides operational support to the leadership teams of a number of schools in the Trust.
Carl has extensive experience, including being a Vice Principal, working in schools in Mansfield and Nottingham. His particular area of passion is supporting every student to have enhanced life choices as a result of their time in school.
Carl holds an Honours Degree in Mathematics from Lancaster University, obtained his PGCSE from the University of Nottingham and received his National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 2018.
Carl’s legacy sentence is ‘ He taught so that others would love learning.’
Emma Merchant, Deputy Headteacher (Culture)
Emma Merchant joined The Two Counties Trust as Deputy Headteacher (Culture) in September 2024.
In her role, she works closely with the Executive Headteacher (Pastoral) to ensure that safeguarding is effective across all schools. She also promotes ambitious SEND support and fosters inclusive, safe environments where all students feel they belong and can thrive.
Emma is passionate about raising student aspirations and supports her teams in creating a compelling learning culture. This culture is grounded in clarity and built on strong professional relationships, ensuring everyone can achieve their best.
With extensive senior leadership experience across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Emma has developed a deep understanding of the local challenges faced by our students, families and schools. As a leader, she prioritises exploring problems thoroughly, gathering robust data and identifying barriers to achievement.
Emma has taught English, alongside her SENCO and pastoral responsibilities whilst supporting staff to create a culture of excellence. Her innovative and motivational leadership empowers both students and staff to reach their highest potential.
Emma’s legacy sentence is ‘She had high expectations of all and supported those to support others.’
Phil Taylor, Assessment Director
Phil has worked for The Two Counties Trust since 2016, initially this role was part time for 2 days with the other 3 days working for Ashfield School as an Assistant Headteacher. His current role is looking at the strategic use of assessment and data systems to ensure schools are able to identify and maximise the achievement of all students.
Phil comes from an Engineering background, with his degree being in mechanical engineering, during which time he undertook projects for both rail and aerospace companies. In 2003 Phil qualified as a Maths teacher through a PGCE at Nottingham Trent University. His passion for the use of data comes from the time he spent as head of Maths at Ashfield School, where he transformed the outcomes of the faculty from achieving 38% A*-C grades in 2008 to 75% in 2012. He realised during this role and his role as Assistant Headteacher the importance of high quality assessment and the use of this to improve teaching and ultimately outcomes for students.
Phil’s main strength is problem solving, and he has a very simple goal which is to ensure that data and assessment systems drive continuous improvements across our schools.
Phil’s legacy sentence is ‘He made can’t do can do.’
