Chris Lawson is our Education Support Manager and has been with Esland since 2023. After more than a decade teaching in the post-16 sector, he first joined us in a quality assurance role to make a broader impact on education. Today, Chris works closely with the Education Director and Headteachers to support our schools, strengthen our systems, and drive improvement, helping to maintain high standards and ensure our students receive the education they deserve.

Hi, my name is Chris Lawson and I’m the Education Support Manager. I’ve worked for Esland since 2023.

My journey so far

After teaching in the post-16 sector for over 10 years, I wanted to move into a role where I could make a bigger impact on the quality of education across an organisation. When I saw the advert for the Quality Assurance role at Esland, it felt like the perfect next step for me, and being home-based made it an even better fit.

In that role, I worked with the Quality Director to design and roll out audit frameworks that helped monitor and support the education delivered across all our schools. As the provision grew, I moved into the Education Support Manager position, where I now work closely with the Education Director and Headteachers to make sure our students get the education they deserve.

What’s kept me at Esland is their bold approach to expanding provision and making sure children, especially those let down by the maintained sector, have access to high-quality education. I also value how the organisation invests in staff and creates genuine opportunities for development, progression, and recognition.

Like joining a family

A typical week for me includes supporting schools with internal processes and compliance, coordinating upcoming audits, and helping leadership teams implement systems that really work. I also help troubleshoot challenges and keep everything aligned with our broader organisational goals.

There’s a lot I enjoy about the role, from meeting the students in our schools to working with regulators, but the best part for me is connecting with people from across the organisation. The team here are what makes Esland special and they’re a big part of why it’s so successful at making a difference.

For anyone thinking about joining Esland, you’ll be welcomed into a family. A family that challenges each other to be bold in action while staying kind in delivery. And the impact you can have on a child’s life here is something you really can’t underestimate.

New challenges

I’ll admit, moving from teaching into a quality-focused role was daunting at first. Like many, I struggled with imposter syndrome. However, with the trust and support of my colleagues, that quickly faded and gave me the confidence to grow.

Since stepping into this role, I’ve become a better listener, strengthened my relationship-building skills, and learned how to adapt my communication to different situations. I’ve not only built resilience but also deepened my passion for making sure every young person gets the first-class education they need to truly thrive.