The National Centre for Arts Education (NCAE)

Matt has worked with governments globally on designing and implementing large-scale education transformation projects to develop teaching and leadership capacity. Through his experiences in this work, he is passionate that Etio addresses the challenge of turning policy into practical action and making change stick by implementing in a way which is respectful of the context.

Matt has worked in education for his entire career. After more than 10 years youth work, teaching and training teachers, Matt spent a decade at Education Development Trust in a range of senior roles. He joined Tribal Group in 2022 to run its Education Services division: as we become Etio, he maintains responsibility for our global portfolio of programmes, ensuring we keep our promises to customers so that they in turn can deliver on their strategic ambitions.

Jen Langeskov is an artist, educator and cultural leader with over 20 years’ experience across Art & Design education, cultural learning and community engagement. She began her career as an Art & Design teacher, then Head of Department, and has experience across primary, secondary and post-16 education. More recently, Jen has combined cultural leadership with an independent education consultancy, supporting schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and teachers with Art & Design curriculum development and pedagogy, professional learning, and creative and cultural enrichment. Her work has involved extensive partnership working across education and the cultural sector.

Before joining Etio as Director of Art & Design Education, Jen held senior leadership roles within an Arts Council England Creative People and Places programme, and led the regional arts education programme for an ACE National Portfolio Organisation. Alongside this, she is the Founder and Director of a social enterprise developing participatory visual arts programmes with children, young people and communities who experience barriers to arts and cultural participation.

“Drawing on my experience as an artist, teacher, education consultant and cultural leader, I’m passionate about bringing people together, sharing ideas and building partnerships that make a real difference. I believe every child and young person should have access to a rich and inspiring art education, whatever their background or circumstances. I’m really looking forward to working with others as part of this exciting role at NCAE, building on the brilliant work already happening and helping to shape the future of art and design education.” 

Laura joins from One Dance UK where, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, she led the organisation’s strategic work across children and young people’s dance, shaping its education priorities, influencing national policy and curriculum development and building partnerships across government, education and the cultural sector. Laura has also worked with Arts Council England as an expert adviser, contributed specialist advice to the Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and supported the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dance.

"I am honoured to have been asked to join the National Centre for Arts Education as Director of Dance Education. The chance to help shape the new Centre at such an important moment for dance education was an opportunity I felt compelled to take.

"The establishment of the Centre represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the place of dance in schools, and bring together expertise from across education and the arts. I am excited to work with teachers and partners to ensure every young person can experience an ambitious and inspiring dance education, whatever their background or circumstances, and that teachers have the support, professional learning and recognition to make that possible." - Laura Nicholson.

Laura brings extensive experience in secondary school leadership, teaching and learning, curriculum design, Initial Teacher Training and professional development. As CPD Lead at Swindon and Wiltshire Teaching School Hub, she worked to widen access to high-quality professional development, particularly for schools in remote and underserved communities across Wiltshire.

A former co-organiser of ResearchEd By the Sea and LitDrive Regional Champion, Laura has also championed educational research, professional dialogue and research-informed practice, helping to connect educators across the south coast. Throughout her career, she has worked with coastal communities experiencing disadvantage, with a strong commitment to tackling educational inequality and breaking down barriers to opportunity.

“I am delighted to be joining the National Centre for Arts Education as Director of Drama Education. I am thankful to my United Learning colleagues who have supported me to transition into this new role, and I look forward to working with the team at Etio and building strong connections with arts educators, organisations and academics across the sector. I am passionate about working collaboratively to strengthen the place of drama in schools and ensure that high-quality professional development is accessible to all educators.”