Rachel Hargreaves

Rachel has been a Senior Partner for Challenge Partners since 2022 and prior to that Hub Manager since 2018. She is committed to the ethos and vision of Challenge Partners.  

Rachel is CEO of Ascent Academies' Trust, a specialist multi academy trust in the North East and North Yorkshire. She is also regional Lead for Whole School SEND for the North East, a role she has held since 2019. She has worked in both special education and mainstream settings for more than 28 years and been a headteacher/executive headteacher since 2010.

Rachel has skills and experience of working with children and school communities in the specialist sector and in areas of high disadvantage. She has joined the Board, hoping to support Challenge Partners deliver on its ambitious strategy.