Graham Chisnell was appointed headteacher at the age of 26. He has led three primary schools, been a university lecturer and is currently CEO of a multi academy trust in the South East of England. He was awarded the national Award for Research-Informed Practice by Professor Robin Alexander of the Cambridge Primary Review Trust in 2017 in recognition of the culture of research he had built in his school. He has a strong belief in supporting school leaders through system leadership and is a National Leader of Education, Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and a lead inspector for Ofsted.
Graham has been a champion of research throughout his career. He has built a culture of research in his schools that empowers staff to take ownership of their practice. He has built a system of research, called the Research Cycle, and uses this to help staff in schools to engage in research.