OULTON ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Careers Education & Guidance
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Associate
I am proud to have worked at the academy since 2009. I have seen the school go through many positive changes and I am excited to begin this next chapter in my new role as Associate Assistant Principal.
My career began as a PE teacher where my desire was to help students build their self-esteem, confidence and leadership skills. Pastoral work is my passion which has resulted in me working through various pastoral roles within the academy. I believe the academy environment should have a culture of respect and ensure that barriers to learning are removed.
As a member of the Designated Safeguarding Team, my primary role is the academy's Senior Mental Health Lead. This role entails coordinating a whole school approach to the mental health and wellbeing of both staff and students.
I am looking forward to ensuring the students at Oulton Academy receive the best educational experience possible in a safe and secure environment.
Following on from my Teaching and Learning Lead role at the Academy, I am excited to start this new chapter in my new role as Assistant Principal.
My teaching began in Physical Education where my love for sport allowed me to support and develop young people in their confidence, resilience and progress in a range of different activity areas.
As a Dance specialist, the drive to empower student's creativity and aesthetic appreciation has provided an additional avenue for educational expression and enabled students to study this artistic form as an examination subject. I am a firm believer that outstanding experiences allow students to experience outstanding learning, and that every student deserves this throughout their education.
Education not only allows us to develop students' knowledge and understanding but promotes everlasting life skills for their future beyond the Academy. I look forward to my new role in providing these experiences for the students and providing a supportive professional environment in which teaching and learning can continue to thrive.
Teachers provide the power of education giving students the opportunity for a better future. My belief is that all young people have the right to a high-quality education which empowers minds, raises aspirations and fosters a love of learning regardless of background. It is equally important to value and support our staff by providing opportunities to share and develop best practice to truly make a difference.
I first joined Oulton Academy 4 years ago as a Geography NQT where my love for travelling enabled me to share experiences and enrich students with skills and knowledge to make a positive and lasting impact on the world we live in. During my time at the academy, I worked in the Teaching for Learning team with responsibility for ensuring consistency in education across all academy provisions. I look forward to continuing this role as Assistant Principal whilst supporting staff who have joined the academy in the early stages of their careers.
I am proud to work as part of a conscientious staff body who go above and beyond to ensure that students are safe, valued and have a solid foundation to support the journey they choose to embark upon.
Job Titles:
- Vice Principal
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Designated Teacher for Child Looked After
- Vice Principal - Designated Safeguarding Lead ( DSL )
I am an Assistant Principal with responsibility for Attendance. I have been involved with the inclusion team at Oulton Academy for several years as Pastoral Leader of KS4 and more recently Pastoral Leader of Attendance.
Being student focussed is essential to me; I take an active role in students' school life and aim to encourage enthusiasm in learning. I believe that all students can lead and inspire others and I try to instil this belief in them.
Having respectful and positive working relationships with students, parents and colleagues alike fills me with pride and I feel that these partnerships are paramount in supporting the development and success of students. I am certain that professionally my sole purpose is to educate, motivate and change young people's lives for the better.
Originally from Australia, I moved to the UK in 2014 having qualified as a PE teacher. I joined Oulton Academy later that year and now primarily teach Maths. Away from the academy, I enjoy spending time with my family, as well as playing sport such as rugby union in my spare time.
I joined the academy in January 2013; initially with responsibility for setting up and running many the systems that underpin the operation of the academy. Since then I have taken on responsibility for the management of the academic life of the school. This includes student reports, exams, options, timetables and an overview of the setting process.
Prior to joining the academy, I was a senior leader at a school in Cambridge, helping improve it from the bottom 25% of the country to the top 20%. I started my career as a teacher of Computer Science, ICT and Maths but I am a keen musician and love supporting student's in developing their confidence to perform at school concerts and shows. Outside of school I enjoy playing in brass bands and spending time with my family.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Associate Assistant Principal / Principal Mr J Higgins
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Associate
- Associate Assistant Principal / Principal Mr J Higgins
Student leadership is my passion and I am thoroughly excited for being responsible for this key role within the academy. Leadership opportunities are an essential part of the development of our students and it is my hope that excelling in these areas will help our students being a cut above their peers from other schools.
It is my firm belief that leadership can take many forms and that everyone can develop their abilities to make them effective across many walks of life. Finally, I am determined to ensure our students have experiences that they can look back on and know that they have become well-rounded people with exciting futures.
I have been teaching since 2012 but truly my journey began in Year 9 when I completed my Junior Sports Leader Award and I was hooked on teaching and coaching from then onwards. I look back on this early experience as being vital in my endeavours since then and hope to provide similar experiences for students at Oulton Academy. My teaching career has seen me undertake various teaching and leadership positions in different parts of the country including Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford and York.
It is my belief that education is the most important social leveller of the modern world; our children deserve the very best teaching and leadership so that they can become academically empowered, socially engaged and financially independent individuals. Here at Oulton Academy, we continue to focus on how we can hone and develop our craft for the benefit of our students, supporting the academy's ethos of ongoing professional development and reflection, immersing ourselves in the fast-paced, dynamic nature of education.
My role involves creating a culture of excellence within the classroom; placing first wave outstanding teaching at the centre of a high-quality education, providing varied opportunities for continual professional development for staff at all levels. This includes bespoke, enhanced workshops for trainee teachers and those who are in their early stages of the profession.
I am proud to work with a team of dedicated practitioners who strive to ensure that all students have constant access to 'world-class' provision. Through this drive and passion, we ensure that all lessons are delivered to the highest standard possible, fostering and developing a positive climate for learning which ultimately leads to strong outcomes for our students, providing them with the gift of choice.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Associate
I joined the maths department at Oulton Academy in 2021. Since then, I held the position of Deputy Head of Maths before moving into my current role on the senior leadership team as Associate Assistant Principal with a focus on promoting equal opportunities for all students.
It is during high school years that students develop many of the skills that will take them into adulthood and form the basis of various future careers. It is imperative that all students are provided fair and equal opportunities to learn these core abilities; the building blocks that will enable them to become successful wherever life takes them and whatever they chose to do in the future.
As such, my focus within school is to mitigate against the obstacles that might make it more difficult for a student to succeed in school.
At Oulton Academy, we believe school should be a positive experience for every pupil. It is a privilege to work alongside such dynamic and dedicated colleagues as we work together towards creating an environment in which students can expand their minds, aspire to exam success and develop and grow into their future selves.
The personal development of students is one of the most important tasks that schools must undertake. Giving students opportunities and experiences they would not have otherwise had is one of the key ways to support students to reach their potential. My role includes tracking and monitoring our personal development provision which includes the Life curriculum, careers, trips, school visits, outreach, assemblies, and ensuring that all students have the outstanding education which they deserve.
My career started at the school 5 years ago where I began as an NQT in the History department, and I have since taken on roles as Associate Assistant Principal and the Head of History. My passion for teaching and supporting all students, regardless of their background, is evident in everything I do.
I am proud to work with such dedicated staff who understand that our role is to develop students' individual talents and interests, as well as their academic attainment.
Job Titles:
- Education Welfare Officer
Job Titles:
- Senior Mental Health Lead