Andy Nowak

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Andy is the Executive Headteacher at Ambitious About Autism Schools Trust, supporting schools to deliver the very best autism-specific education in their environments and across their wider communities. Andy is responsible for the leadership and coaching of senior leaders, driving the Trust’s vision, values and practice.

Having initially trained as a secondary history teacher, Andy has over 17 years experience in the education sector, and a decade in deputy head, headteacher and executive head roles across several Special Education Schools.

In adition, he is a visiting lecturer at the University of Roehampton, delivering a masters-level module on autism, and supervising dissertations as part of a MA in Special and Inclusive Education. Before teacher training, Andy worked as a Youth Worker supporting disabled children at summer playschemes. He also has travelled to and volunteered in Africa; including supporting the development of the Browne-Penn School and the Sierra Leone Autistic Society in Freetown.

Andy has been a Trustee of DA since September 2019 , and in March 2025 he stepped into the role of chairman. As a highly qualified and passionate leader in the space of inclusive education, we are delighted to have his experience and expertise leading our organisation.