Dr Gill Thomas gained her educational doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University. Her professional experience includes Trust Director, Executive Headteacher, two substantive Secondary Headships, two interim Primary Headships and educational consultancy. Gill has experience of leadership at large, urban secondary and primary academies as well as smaller schools in rural settings. She has a strong history of partnership work with a range of stakeholders, including as chair of clusters of school partnerships, and of an FE steering group, involved in the planning and delivery of an FE college from its inception. 

Gill has been involved with Initial Teacher Training (ITT) partnerships and has also sat on an Interim Executive Board (IEB) as a Governor. Gill demonstrates a passion for standards and school improvement, having been trained as an Ofsted Inspector, and a School Improvement Partner (SIP). She has experience of curriculum and pedagogical developments and innovation in teaching and learning in inclusive settings. She has significant experience of distributed leadership in schools and in developing staff and students within a positive learning culture. 

Gill has lectured on the BA primary education studies and MBA courses at Anglia Ruskin University. Her research interests include educational leadership, distributed leadership, participative, inquiry based research.