LEEDS EAST ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Executive
- Principal
- CEO of the White Rose Academies Trust
- Chief Executive Officer - White Rose Academies Trust
Andrew Whitaker was born, raised and educated in the city of Leeds. And is raising his own family in the city.
Andrew holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in business and management from Leeds Business School and a postgraduate diploma in financial management from the ACCA. Andrew also holds a number of professional qualifications and awards from the National College, including the Advanced Diploma in School Business Management (ADSBM) and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Andrew is a Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) and a Churchill Fellow, having received this prestigious award in 2018.
Andrew has worked most of his professional life in education, including leadership roles at Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds and has spent the last fifteen years of his career as a senior and executive leader in local authority maintained special educational needs provisions and secondary school provisions.
In 2016, Andrew became the CEO of the White Rose Academies Trust, which currently includes four schools in the city - Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy, Leeds West Academy and Alder Tree Primary Academy. The trust is a member of Luminate Education Group and in November 2020, Andrew was promoted to the expanded role of Group Deputy CEO, whilst also retaining the role of CEO of the trust. In addition to serving on the board of Hamara, Andrew is also a board member of Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA).
Andrew joined the White Rose Academies Trust in September 2016 as Executive Principal, securing the role of Chief Executive Officer in December 2019. From the outset, his ambitions have been made clear to his staff: ensure that our academies provide high quality education throughout the incredible communities they serve. Andrew is also a member of the Executive Leadership Team for Luminate Education Group, a Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership, and acts as a Trustee for the community charity Hamara. In 2018, he was awarded with a Churchill Fellowship which he will use to fund a fact-finding mission and research Charter Schools in America.
Anna graduated from Leeds University with a BA Hons degree in History. Following this, she worked for a year as a residential Social Worker with autistic adults before returning to education to study for a Diploma in Career Guidance, in Kent at the College of Guidance Studies. After successfully completing this qualification, she work as a Careers Adviser in Southampton in order to complete the work based part of the qualification. On successful completion of part two, Anna moved back to Leeds to continue to work as a careers advisers specialising in working in colleges across Leeds providing information and guidance to young people. As part of this role, she took on a project at a local centre working with groups of young people, in East Leeds, over a period of time. She realised during this project she had a passion for working with young people and seeing their progression and development over time so decided to return to education to study for a PGCE in History at York University.
On completion of her PGCE, she successful applied for a job at a local Leeds High school and went on to complete her NQT year. During her time at this secondary school, she held many varied roles and responsibilities in leadership and management. The first role was as NQT/ITT co-ordinator, which involved organising a programme of support, observations, training sessions, mentoring and working with external agencies to ensure successful completion of the programme and harnessing the talent of successful teaching professionals.
Then as an associate member of the Leadership Team, she reviewed and improved the schools Assessment, Reviewing and Reporting systems. Following this, she was promoted to Assistant Headteacher responsible for Teaching and Learning. During this time, she was responsible for improving student progress and achievement through the development of whole-school T&L strategies, CPD and intervention. This involved organising whole school, departmental and individual CPD, putting in place a mentoring, coaching and working closely with the and LEA. This role expanded to include National Strategies and Intervention, working closely with the English and Maths, G&T, BPAP, ‘Narrowing the Gap' and line managing several curriculum areas including Geography, History, Social Sciences and PSHE.
Anna then took a step back from her leadership roles to work part time as a History teacher in order to raise and spend time with her two daughters. However, despite this she still remained part of the Teaching and Learning team, a mentor and coach and became a Senior Leader in Education supporting a local secondary school in Leeds. However, after seven years of working, Anna wanted another challenge and which saw her become the Head of History at Leeds West Academy where she has successful overseen two years of positive results. In addition to this role, Anna applied and was successful in becoming one of the SLD leads for History working with the LLP. The opportunity then arose for a deployment as an Associate Assistant Principal at Leeds East to support work in Humanities and with the Quality of Education Team, which despite it only being a few days she is really enjoying.
Anna joined Leeds East Academy in 2020 on secondment from Leeds West as an Associate Assistant Principal to drive the Humanities Team and to work on developing a world class curriculum. Her work on the curriculum has ensured that the Schemes of Learning are sequenced, knowledge rich and embed all key Teaching and Learning policies. In addition, she has driven the themes of equality, diversity and inclusion, CEIG and Higher Performance Learning into the curriculum. Recently she been appointed an Assistant Principal at LEA extending her remit to the wider curriculum include PSHCE, Guardian Time, Assemblies and Higher Performance Learning.
Anna is happily married to Jonathan and they have two daughters, Libby and Charlotte. They love to travel as a family and have been on several European tours as well as spending weekends visiting historical sites, theatres and cities such as London.
Rebecca graduated from Leeds Trinity and All Saints College in 2010 with a degree in English. Throughout her studies, Rebecca worked at Intake High School/Leeds West Academy tutoring Year 11 students in Maths and English. From there she continued her studies and was awarded a PGCE in 2011, a goal which had been at the forefront of her mind since taking her own GCSEs.
Rebecca started her career at the Cooperative Academy, working with a high number of EAL students across all key stages and successfully passed her NQT year. But the draw of Leeds West Academy was too strong and Rebecca moved back to her roots, co-ordinating KS3 intervention and reading across form time.
In 2015, Rebecca was offered the position of Head of English at Leeds City Academy and played a vital role in increasing good outcomes in English from 29% to 47% and created a fantastic team of English teachers. Rebecca was appointed as an acting Assistant Principal in January 2019, and largely supported the Head of English and a fantastic team of English teachers, which resulted in another year of fantastic results in 2018/19, including a progress 8 score of +0.28.
Rebecca started her role as an Assistant Principal for the Quality of Education in September 2019, working closely with SEND and overseeing the PP funding at Leeds City.
Bethan graduated from the University of Leeds in 2014 with a 2:1 in Theology and Religious Studies. After attending university, Bethan moved back to her hometown of Sunderland where she completed a Schools Direct placement in Religious Studies.
In her first year of teaching, Bethan started her first leadership role where she had responsibility for developing a KS3 Religious Studies curriculum and monitoring KS3 behaviour and attendance data. After meeting her husband, Bethan moved back to West Yorkshire in 2017 and was appointed to the position of Head of Religious Studies. She successfully led a team who transformed the Religious Studies curriculum offer and significantly improved outcomes at GCSE and A Level. In 2019, Bethan was appointed to Head of Faculty for Personal Development and created a whole school provision from the ground up. Her focus was to ensure that all students had ample opportunities to develop the values, attributes and attitudes to be successful learners and embrace the best versions of themselves.
Bethan completed the Ambition Institute Future Leaders programme where she further developed her understanding of effective leadership and secured her first senior leadership role as Assistant Vice Principal for Personal Development and Safeguarding.
In June 2022, Bethan joined Leeds East Academy as Vice Principal and has overall responsibility for all aspects of Personal Development, Behaviour & Attitudes and Student Experience. Bethan feels incredibly privileged to have been appointed to this role and is excited to work with outstanding colleagues. Bethan will ensure all students have the most exceptional educational experiences and leave the academy being able to live by the core values of resilience, integrity, trust and ambition.
Bethan has a relentless passion for developing students holistically and removing barriers so that everyone has an equal opportunity to pursue their personal excellence. She strongly believes that we should work relentlessly to ensure all students feel known, valued and supported.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Governors
- Chairman / Board Nominee
Liz is the Chief Professional Practices Advisor (Internal Audit Professional) for the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors UK and Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Behaviour Support Worker at Progress
Emma graduated with a BA (HONS) in Contemporary Dance in 2009. Following a successful dance career, Emma found her love for teaching after completing a voluntary placement at Carr Manor Community School. Emma graduated from Huddersfield University 2013, with a PGCE in Lifelong Learning, completing additional Masters level credits.
Emma started her teaching career at The Freeston Academy in Normanton, working with behaviour and SEND students and then as an Exam Mentor. Emma supported students in English, Maths and Science and nurtured numerous students to reach their full potential in core subjects. It was during this role Emma found her passion for teaching English.
In January 2016, Emma was appointed as Behaviour Support Worker at Progress@citycentral, which was her first role at the White Rose Academies Trust. Within this role, Emma worked with some of the most challenging students from across the Trust, successfully planned and delivered the English curriculum.
In May 2017, Emma made the exciting move to Leeds East Academy as an English Teacher. The following year Emma was selected as a representative for LEA and was invited to a prestigious event at Downing Street, where she met the Prime Minister as part of a national celebration of teachers. During her time at LEA, Emma has also been part of the Teaching and Learning team, a role that has enabled her to develop new initiatives that have supported the development of the academy.
Emma is greatly passionate about her work at LEA and feels privileged to work with such a dedicated team of professionals. Most recently, Emma has been appointed as Assistant Principal - Quality of Education. This is a very exciting opportunity for Emma as she continues support the academy's transformation and journey to outstanding.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Associate
James graduated in 2014 from Teesside University with a First-Class BA (Hons) in Fine Art, BA. After attending University, James taught English at Guizhou Minzu University, China, working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It was here that James learned the value of communication and providing Quality First Teaching.
James returned to Leeds, eager to share and develop his knowledge within teaching, and pursued a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCSE) at Northumbria University. Starting at Leeds East Academy in 2017 as Teacher of Art, James has conducted numerous roles within Middle Leadership and as part of the Extended Middle Leadership Team. Securing the National Award for SEND Coordination (NASENCO) in 2019, James has been highly committed and enthusiastic, championing vulnerable pupils to secure equity for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
In 2023, James joined the Senior Leadership Team as Associate Assistant Principal-Inclusion & Provision, continuing to develop and have oversight of SEND, in addition to the Personalised Learning Centre (PLC). James will ensure all students who are required to access this targeted and sometimes special offer, receive a comprehensive and robust graduated approach which aims to meet every child's needs. James is excited to work within the SLT to continue to improve the provision for pupils with SEND, developing this on our journey to ‘Outstanding'.
James has a passion for a sense of equity for all pupils, specifically those from disadvantaged backgrounds and feels strongly about giving pupils the tools to engineer their success.
James graduated in 2014 from Teesside University with a First-Class BA (Hons) in Fine Art. After attending university, James taught English at Guizhou Minzu University, China...
James graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University, now Beckett, with a 2:1 in Physical Education in 2010 and in 2012 completed his PGCE in Secondary Physical Education again at Leeds Metropolitan University. He secured a job working as a PE teacher at a School in Bradford now known as Dixons Cottingley Academy. James worked there for 8 years where he had numerous roles and responsibilities within the Academy. Initially a Head of House, then a Head of PE, before taking on the Head of the PE and Creative Arts and technology faculty. In his final year at Cottingley he was Head of Faculty and Head of year 10. During his time as Head of Faculty James oversaw a significant improvement in departmental results.
As well as working as part of a faculty team James was also Head of House and later Head of Year where his particular focus was working with students in key stage four who found it difficult to manage day to day in the Academy. Supporting these students so that they had coping mechanisms and could self regulate their behaviour meant that these young people were in class learning and increasing their chances of have a a good set of results to go on to college.
James now oversees an amazing pastoral team at Leeds East Academy where every day has different challenges but although the challenges are different the goal remains the same, to support our young people to achieve the best they can and equip them for a successful life beyond LEA.
Job Titles:
- Teaching Staff - Elected / 30 / 11 / 2023 - 27 / 11 / 2026
Lauren graduated from Edge Hill University with a First-Class Honors Degree in Secondary Design Technology Education with QTS. Lauren secured her first teaching job at Leeds East Academy in 2014 and has worked at the academy since this date, undertaking a range of different roles and responsibilities within the Academy. This has included Key Stage 3 Pastoral Leader and Director of Ethos and Values. Over the past 3 years Lauren have been responsible for ‘Year 11 Destinations', ensuring that students maintain their Post 16 destination for 2 years after leaving the academy. Through rigorous tracking and monitoring systems Lauren has reduced NEET to below the national average of 6% (to 4.1%).
Lauren was diagnosed with Dyslexia in primary school and fully understands the barriers that students face on a day-to-day basis. Her aim is to remove these barriers to ensure all students access education everyday so that they get the best possible start in life. Lauren feels passionately about giving all students opportunities and experiences which they may not readily be exposed to. Lauren firmly believes it is important to raise student aspirations beyond the parameters of their locality, so they are aware of a vast range of opportunities available regionally and nationally.
In her spare time Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places on long walks with her dog called Johnny.
Job Titles:
- Board Appointee / 07 / 10 / 2022 - 06 / 10 / 2025
Liz Armstrong has extensive leadership and management experience both in an educational and a commercial setting. Liz worked for a major engineering company for 20 years, latterly as a Project Accountant monitoring and reporting on a £1.6 Billion contract. Liz gained valuable experience in managing and negotiating contracts to enable best value and ensure they are carried out to specification.
Liz started work in the education sector in 2008 following a career break to support her 2 children in their early years. During this time Liz was actively involved in their Primary School as Chair of the PTA and Vice Chair of Governors. In her role as a School Governor Liz assisted in leading the school in achieving an outstanding judgement from Ofsted. She aslo assisted and lead the recruitment process for two headteachers.
Liz has experienced a variety of roles throughout her 10-year career in education, starting with a premises manager role at Leeds East Academy which included overseeing the £13M Million BSF project for the new Academy building. Following this Liz was appointed Estates Manager for the Trust, overseeing all 3 Academies and ensuring all aspects of maintenance health and safety were compliant.
In April 2017 Liz secured the role of Business and Operations Manager at Leeds City Academy. Liz is committed to the principles of lifelong learning and supporting the Academy in providing an excellent education for all students.
In her spare time Liz enjoys walking and cycling with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Vice Principal
- Senior Vice Principal
Before becoming a teacher, Mr Ayres was a professional musician performing with and for Her Majesty the Queen, Barry White, Matt Monro, Simply Red, the Communards, Grimethorpe Colliery and The Sellers Engineering Band. He has also been involved with a few of the many West End shows, including Les Miserables, The Rat Pack Show and Cats. Prior to joining Leeds East, Mr Ayres was Acting Headteacher at Appleton Academy in Bradford. Mr Ayres is a TED-ED innovative teacher having co-wrote the TED-Ed lesson ‘One in a million'.
He regularly writes about and presents in Schools and Universities on behaviour, equality, class shaming in education and the decolonisation of the curriculum. He has recently written the foreword for Steve Baker's award-winning publication ‘That Behaviour Book' and he features as a reviewer in Andy Griffith's and Matt Bromley's book ‘The Working Classroom.' Mr Ayres is committed to ensuring the barriers to success in education for LEA youngsters are overcome and to supporting them to achieve the best they can whilst equipping them for a successful life beyond LEA.
Rachel graduated from the University of the West of England with a BA (Hons) in French and German. Rachel then lived in Brittany, France for 12 years where she worked in the tourism industry. In 2005, Rachel and her children returned to West Yorkshire where she worked as a tour operator for a French property company until 2007. Rachel then decided to have a complete change of career and began working at Westborough High School in Dewsbury as an Exams Officer. After about 6 months in the job, Rachel discovered data and Excel. In 2010, became the Data Manager at St John Fisher's Catholic High School in Dewsbury.
At the end of 2011, Rachel was offered a position at Tong High School in Bradford and thus began Rachel's love of timetabling. After around 4 years at Tong High School, Rachel became part of the senior leadership team and was responsible for the school's data analysis as well as the strategic planning of the timetable and its financial implications. After 7 happy years at Tong High School, Rachel decided that she would like a change, and was very pleased to be offered a position as an Associate Senior Leader at Leeds East Academy where her love of Excel and timetabling continues to grow.
In her free time, Rachel is a passionate parkrunner. She is a co-event Director at Dewsbury parkrun and has herself run over 300 parkruns all over the world. Her weekends and holidays are always planned around parkrun venues! She even ran in Milan for her hen do, and in Leeds on her wedding day.
Job Titles:
- Vice Principal ( White Rose Academies Trust )
Rachel Sharples is delighted to join the White Rose Academies Trust as Vice Principal focusing on Academy improvement. Prior to her appointment, Rachel was Assistant Principal with responsibility for driving...
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Principal
- Executive Principal - White Rose Academies Trust
Sarah Carrie's ambition from a young age was to become a professional dancer. She achieved this ambition after training at the highly acclaimed Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, graduating with a Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree in Dance. During her career as a dancer she was fortunate enough to work with Sharon Watson, the current inspirational leader of Phoenix Dance Theatre. A highlight of her dancing career was performing for The Queen at the opening of the Royal Armouries in Leeds in 1996.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Associate
Sarah graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA(Hons) in Physical Education and Secondary Education with QTS in 2003. She began her career as a PE teacher at Parklands Girls High School, which is now Leeds East Academy. Sarah has had numerous roles and responsibilities during her time at Parklands/Leeds East including School Sports Coordinator, Head of Year and then moved onto Head of PE. As Head of Department Sarah has consistently secured above national average results in PE every year. In more recent years, Sarah's role expanded to include overseeing other vocational subjects and supporting these subjects in developing their curriculum and outcomes.
After 20 years of working at Parklands/Leeds East, Sarah strongly believes in the students from the local community and their potential. Initially working hard to provide opportunities through sport and now she looks forward to supporting the students on a wider scale as she moves into her new role as Associate Assistant Principal for the Quality of Education Team.
Sarah believes deeply in continuing to develop as a professional and during her career has continued to study, achieving further qualifications such as a Masters in Education and Professional Enquiry and the NPQSL. She enjoyed the challenge of learning and developing but also gained many key skills such as organisation, time management and resilience.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys travelling, walking and spending time with family and friends.
At age 4 Shery had decided that becoming a Mathematics teacher was her ambition. Upon completion of her A levels she moved from Kidderminster to attend Leeds University to study Mathematics with Business Management. Whilst studying, Shery had worked at a restaurant and upon graduating in 2009, spent one year as manager gaining invaluable skills and experiences before returning to Leeds University to complete her PGCE, graduating in 2011.
Shery had always wanted to become a teacher but as she had got older her motivation for this grew from being passionate about her favourite subject to wanting all children, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic background, to enjoy learning, have confidence and belief in themselves, to receive a quality educational experience and for all to have the same opportunities and aspirations.
Shery started her teaching career at Buttershaw Business and Enterprise Academy in Bradford and was given multiple opportunities to develop her career. Shery oversaw KS3 in Mathematics and then became a Lead Practitioner across the school which developed into coordinating and delivering training sessions to NQT's across Bradford. This role enabled Shery to impact the quality of teaching that students received across the city. Shery then became Head of Year and enjoyed supporting students in their progress both academically and pastorally.
In 2015 Shery moved to Horizon Community College, a large secondary school in Barnsley. Shery initially joined as Second in Mathematics and then moved to Head of Mathematics one year later. Shery worked with the department of 20 to develop teaching and learning and ultimately saw pupil progress increase yearly.
Shery joined Leeds East Academy in 2018 and immediately saw that the academy was a community with students at its heart, and a staffing body who is dedicated to supporting them to develop, achieve and aspire, both academically and holistically. Shery has progressed within the Quality of Education team and in 2022 became Vice Principal, a role that she feels privileged to hold as she gets to work with students and colleagues across the academy to ensure our vision of Everyone Exceptional.
Shery married Rob, who is also a teacher, in 2019. Shery enjoys travelling and eating different types of food. Shery likes to watch football and supports Aston Villa.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair / Board Appointee
Sue is a Retired Chief Officer Employment and Skills at Leeds City Council.
Job Titles:
- Academies Trust / C / O Leeds City Academy
- Academies Trust / White Rose Academies Trust
- Academies Trust Annual Reports and Accounts