Ben Barker

I spent seven years at King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, eventually becoming Vice Principal and Head of Science. In 2019, I was a member of the King’s Warrington leadership team when Ofsted rated the school as ‘Outstanding.’ I have developed a vast knowledge of the Great Schools Trust and have now been appointed Principal Designate of King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree, which is set to open in September 2025.

It was a great honour to be selected as Principal Designate of King’s Wavertree. Our new academy will have a broad and well-balanced curriculum, with every student having the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and personally to become high-achieving, aspirational, skilled, and confident. We will also be implementing a mentoring programme to support our students; I believe that creating a nurturing and inclusive environment is vital.  

I am committed to building strong relationships with our students, parents, and the wider community as we open King’s Wavertree.  I have spent time meeting with leadership teams of primary schools within the academy’s catchment area to understand more about the communities it will serve.

I am also Director of AI across the Trust, and I am committed to help use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to leverage staff and pupil time whilst in our academies. We have been able to use it to help enhance teaching, learning, and school operations. From the beginning, our vision has been to integrate AI-driven tools to support both students and staff, ensuring a dynamic and future-focused learning environment.

Across our schools and trust, we have explored AI’s potential in administrative efficiency, personalised learning experiences and reducing the time spent on tasks such as marking. We have worked to build a bespoke platform that allows staff to send more time doing what really matters. We are proud that the work we have completed is now beginning to be rolled out nationally in a wide range of other schools who can see the advantage of building these tools into their school systems.

Beyond the classroom, we are fostering a culture of digital literacy, equipping students with the skills to navigate an AI-driven world responsibly and ethically. By embracing AI as a tool for innovation rather than a replacement for human expertise, we are shaping a forward-thinking school community where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the role of educators.