Amanda Johnston is Director of Safeguarding and School Operations for a multi-academy trust, where she provides strategic leadership across safeguarding, human resources, estates, governance and health and safety. Working with schools and trusts both within and beyond the partnership, she supports leaders to strengthen safeguarding cultures, improve operational effectiveness, and deliver sustainable school improvement. With more than 24 years’ experience across primary and secondary education, predominantly in church schools, Amanda is a highly respected education and safeguarding specialist. A former headteacher and system leader, she has spent the past 17 years leading improvement at a strategic level, driving organisational effectiveness, and supporting schools through complex leadership, reorganisation and safeguarding challenges. Amanda is an experienced trainer, adviser, coach and mentor, known for her practical, clear and engaging approach. She works with school leaders, staff, volunteers, governors and trustees, helping them translate statutory requirements into effective practice that protects children and strengthens organisational culture. Her extensive safeguarding expertise includes 17 years’ experience as an investigating officer in disciplinary, capability and safeguarding matters, including cases involving referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). She also provides safeguarding supervision for Designated Safeguarding Leads, facilitates DSL networks and serves as a Professional Misconduct Panel member for the Teaching Regulation Agency. Alongside her safeguarding leadership, Amanda has made a significant contribution to the wider education sector. She has coached senior leaders through national leadership programmes, including the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL), is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and is an active member of the National Association of Academy Safeguarding Advisors. Her work has also been recognised through two published case studies by the Confederation of School Trusts. Passionate about ensuring every child is safe, supported and able to thrive, Amanda helps schools and trusts build confidence, strengthen leadership capacity, and create cultures where safeguarding and educational excellence go hand in hand.
