Ciara Moran is the Chief Executive Officer of Learning Academies Trust, an 18-school primary Multi Academy Trust serving more than 5,500 children and employing over 900 staff across Plymouth.

Having been part of the Trust since its formation in 2016, Ciara has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. She has held a number of leadership positions, including Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, Deputy CEO and Director of Education, bringing extensive expertise in school improvement, leadership development and system-wide transformation.

Ciara has over 20 years of experience in education and more than a decade of headship and executive leadership experience. Throughout her career, she has successfully led schools through significant improvement journeys, supported leaders and teams to strengthen educational outcomes, and championed inclusive practices that ensure every child can thrive. Prior to joining Learning Academies Trust, Ciara worked as a School Improvement Consultant for Plymouth Local Authority, supporting schools facing challenging circumstances and building leadership capacity across the city.

A passionate advocate for collaboration, Ciara firmly believes that schools are stronger when they work together. Throughout her leadership journey she has been committed to developing people, building sustainable leadership capacity and ensuring that expertise is shared for the benefit of all children. She holds the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) and has previously been designated as a Local Leader of Education.

Alongside her Trust leadership responsibilities, Ciara has led Plymouth Teachers and Schools Alliance (PTSA), supporting the development of the next generation of teachers, teaching assistants and school leaders through a comprehensive programme of initial teacher training, apprenticeships and professional development. Developing great people remains one of her core priorities, recognising that the quality of education children receive is rooted in the expertise, commitment and wellbeing of the adults who support them.

As CEO, Ciara leads the strategic direction of Learning Academies Trust with a relentless focus on improving outcomes, championing inclusion and ensuring every child receives an exceptional education. She is particularly passionate about improving life chances for children and young people, strengthening support for pupils with additional needs and creating a culture where every child, colleague and community can flourish.

Underpinned by the Trust’s motto, “Believe You Can, Together We Will,” Ciara’s leadership is driven by the belief that education has the power to transform lives and that collective endeavour enables schools to achieve far more together than they ever could alone.

Ciara is incredibly proud to lead Learning Academies Trust and the remarkable people who make up its family of schools. She believes that strong relationships, collaboration and a shared sense of purpose are at the heart of successful organisations.

Passionate about improving life chances for children, Ciara is committed to creating schools where every child feels known, valued and inspired to achieve their best. She continues to champion a culture of inclusion, ambition and belonging, ensuring that children remain at the centre of every decision and that the Trust’s motto, “Believe You Can, Together We Will,” is lived out every day across its schools and communities.