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Lead Trustee and Managing Partner at Courteenhall Estate

Dr Johnny Wake is an ex-medical doctor who was previously a local GP and working in Northampton General Hospital, as well as being the Department of Health’s Advisor on General Practice. As well as being Chair of the Trustees of NLL, his main role now is Managing Partner at Courteenhall Farms, based in South Northants. This has led to a strong focus on the environment and sustainability, with a pioneering stewardship programme at Courteenhall. Under his leadership Courteenhall was the first business in Northants to sign up to the Good Business Charter. He is also a co-founder of the Tove Valley Cluster Farm, and a regular speaker and media participant on sustainable farming, including the Today Programme, the Financial Times and BBC Radio Northampton.

In addition, he has established regular visiting by local schools, both directly and via charities like NLL and others, and is on a mission to improve local children’s access to and knowledge about the countryside.

Johnny is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and a Governor of St Andrew’s Healthcare.

Trustee, and Executive Head Teacher

Trustee.

Working in a local secondary school Louisa has seen first-hand the impact on learning when students experience social and emotional difficulties; she has been a strong supporter of the TRUST programme from its inception, recognising the value of a nature-based approach to nurturing children so that they can access education. As an ex- councillor and previous Head of Careers Louisa will be able to help the charity to establish links with our local community and to build partnerships with local businesses. 

Rupert is 61 and is married with four children. The youngest is in Year 9, so Rupert has
loads of hands-on experience with young people. He lives north of Market Harborough on a
small farm where he rears pigs, goats and free-range chickens alongside some holiday
accommodation. He was trustee of the Rutland Agricultural Society for 25 years before
accepting the role of Trustee with LEAF learning in 2024.
His day job is as a criminal judge in Northampton, which he has done for 15 years. Rupert
also sits as a legal member of the Mental Health Tribunal, so has plenty of experience and
knowledge of neuro-diversity and a huge range of problems and difficulties which can affect
children of school age.
As a Deputy Lieutenant in Northamptonshire, Rupert takes part in Citizenship ceremonies
and has a particular interest in criminal justice, rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders
and diversion from the formal criminal court process.
When not wearing his wig and robes in court or outside in wellies, Rupert sings in a choir
and loves cooking for his friends and family using fresh local ingredients from as near to
home as possible.

Preety worked as a classroom teacher across the primary age group for twelve years before making the decision to leave mainstream teaching and re-train in the mental health world. As a class teacher she was passionate about the wellbeing of her students and ensuring that all were able to access learning in a way that was comfortable for them.

Since retraining as an integrative therapist, Preety has worked with individuals and families struggling to cope with difficult emotions or life events such as bereavement, anxiety, PTSD and exam stress.

In her spare time Preety enjoys leisurely walks with her dog, going to the gym and baking the occasional cake!

Lead Teacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead

Alex has worked as a senior teacher, SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead for over 20 years in Northamptonshire schools. Alongside this career she has worked in a consultancy capacity supporting school leaders. Alex has been a facilitator on the Outstanding and Improving Teacher Programmes. Bringing together training  in Theraplay, Drawing and Talking, Protective Behaviours and 123 Magic, Alex wrote The TRUST Programme after her study of Psychology and Educational Neuroscience. She brings The TRUST Programme to New Leaf Learning.

Volunteer

Volunteer