Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Rula Kanona as Director of Secondary Education, who will join the Trust’s Central Team on 1 January 2027.
Ms Kanona joins Shireland from CORE Education Trust, where she currently serves as Director of Education, providing strategic leadership across the Trust’s schools. She was previously a Senior Leader at King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy in Birmingham, before moving into Trust-wide leadership.
Her experience spans senior leadership within schools and strategic oversight of school improvement across a multi-academy trust, with a strong focus on developing teachers and leaders and raising educational standards.
In her new role, Ms Kanona will play a key part in driving educational excellence across Shireland’s secondary academies, working closely with Principals and senior leaders to strengthen teaching and outcomes for young people.
The appointment comes at an important time for the Trust as it builds on its established strengths and further develops its approach to school improvement, ensuring that academies benefit from shared expertise, high expectations and effective collaboration.
Ms Kanona will lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s secondary school improvement strategy, supporting academies to build on their successes, address challenges and provide the very best educational opportunities for their students.
Qamar Riaz, Chief Executive Officer of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, said: “Since joining Shireland, I have been clear that school improvement must sit at the heart of everything we do as a Trust. We have some real strengths across our schools, but we also have a responsibility to keep getting better, to learn from one another and to ensure that every school benefits from the collective expertise across Shireland.
“Rula brings a wealth of experience in school and Trust leadership, alongside a real commitment to developing people. I am looking forward to working with her and our Principals to build a strong, collaborative approach to school improvement, rooted in high standards, professional trust and a shared commitment to getting better together.
“Ultimately, this is about making sure that the work we do together as a Trust makes a tangible difference to the education and opportunities of every young person in our schools.”
Speaking about her appointment, Ms Kanona said: “I am delighted to be joining Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust at such an important point in its development. The Trust has a strong reputation for innovation, ambition and a genuine commitment to the communities it serves.
“I am particularly looking forward to working alongside Principals and colleagues across our academies, building on the excellent practice already in place. I believe strongly in collaborating to ensure that every school has the support, challenge and opportunity to flourish.”
Ms Kanona’s appointment reflects the Trust’s continued commitment to strengthening its school improvement capacity and ensuring that its academies remain ambitious, inclusive and focused on securing the best possible outcomes for every student.
