Why JoinUp Matters & Why This Moment Feels Different

Introduction

When I started my career, I didn’t imagine for one moment that I would be writing a blog as the CEO of an EdTech organisation. 

I was a teacher first. Then a school leader and Executive Headteacher. Then part of a MAT leadership team. I loved every one of these jobs… LOVED them, but being honest, a lot of my time was shaped by managing staff wellbeing, safeguarding concerns, budget pressures and the constant question every school leader carries, are we doing right by our children and young people and their community? 

That experience still sits very close to how I see my role today. 

Over the years, I was fortunate to work with incredible teams and to lead schools through real improvement journeys, including supporting underperforming schools to achieving outstanding judgements. This was never easy and often this progress happened despite the systems around us, not because of them. Why? Well, I noticed that data lived in too many places and systems didn’t talk to each other. Leaders spent hours reconciling information rather than using it incisively to drive purposeful action.  

From Fragmented Support to Joined-Up Thinking 

What drew me to Juniper wasn’t just the technology, it was the belief that ran through the business that schools deserve better than the fragmented support provided by this market. 

At Juniper, we talk a lot about joined-up thinking, but for me this has always been very practical. It’s about giving leaders clarity and removing duplication. It’s about freeing up time and headspace so schools can focus on improvement and not admin. Finally, it's about giving choice back to the schools so that they can choose the set of software and services that best fit their development plan. It is this philosophy that sits behind JoinUp. 

JoinUp is our new approach to supporting schools and trusts. Through a free, centralised platform (including a free MIS) we bring together the systems and services that are loved by each school and relevant to their improvement priorities. The principle is simple: schools should have access to a connected data set that is reflective of their school life. They should not be paying pay thousands for an all-in-one MIS solution that offers shallow features in the areas that really matter and drive improvement, such as outcomes, behaviour, safeguarding, staff wellbeing. Nor should they use separate systems that do not connect and leave the school at risk of never understanding the full picture. 

Why This Moment Matters 

Stepping into the CEO role at this point feels both exciting and very grounding for me. I and the incredible team that I serve at Juniper Education are truly passionate about partnering with our schools in providing them with a complete solution that reflects their school life. We are excited to be working with other companies that will join us in the JoinUp platform, that have a similar philosophy in putting the needs of our schools first. 

Juniper has strong foundations to do just this. We have talented people who care deeply about schools. We have long-standing relationships built on trust. And now, with JoinUp, we have the real solution that can underpin school improvement. This isn’t about change for the sake of it but is instead about being clear on who we serve and why. And it’s about making sure our work reflects the reality schools are facing right now. 

Staying Close to the Sector 

One thing I’m committed to doing more of is talking openly about this work. I want us to do the best we can for our schools that partner and trust us, and this comes from being open and sharing what we’re learning, what schools are telling us, and where we still need to do better. 

I believe leadership in this technology sector is lacking and is not understanding schools and their life fully. I carry the responsibility that comes with this role and aim to put right the years of technical debt that this fragmented market has created. We know our schools, their communities and children deserve this.  

That belief shaped by my time in classrooms and leadership teams will continue to guide how we build Juniper’s next chapter. That’s what JoinUp is about. And that’s the work I’m proud to be leading. 

Find out more about JoinUp