Sam Walters

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT SAM WALTERS

Executive Headteacher with a track record of leading schools in some of the most challenging educational settings, from mainstream secondaries to PRUs and SEMH special schools. I believe no child is beyond support, and every young person deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of background, behaviour, or circumstance.Over the past decade, I’ve led schools through rapid and sustained improvement. This includes moving a mainstream secondary from ‘Requires Improvement’ to a strong Ofsted outcome, securing ‘Outstanding’ as Headteacher of a PRU, and leading a SEMH special school to the same judgement.Since 2019, I’ve served as Executive Headteacher of New Rush Hall School, a specialist SEMH provision. In March 2025, I took on the strategic leadership of The Rise Group, a federation of New Rush Hall, The Constance Bridgeman Centre (PRU), and Redbridge Alternative Provision (PRU). I now oversee school improvement, leadership development, and inclusive practice across all three sites.My work focuses on:• Complex behaviour and high-needs SEMH• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed practice• Safeguarding, inclusion, and youth violence• Strategic improvement across specialist and alternative provisionI also founded and direct Evolve & Adapt, a mentoring and education service supporting vulnerable pupils across London. We work with children at risk of exclusion, exploitation, or criminal involvement, helping them re-engage with learning and find a new path forward.