Senior Leadership Team

Craig became Headteacher at Stratford School Academy in September 2020. He has been teaching in schools in North London for over 20 years, with over 15 years of experience in senior leadership. Craig studied Sociology at Nottingham University, has a Master’s Degree in Education and the National Professional Qualification
for Headship.

He is particularly interested in the latest research evidence about what makes schools effective, teaching and the curriculum. Married with 2 children, Craig enjoys spending time with his family but also tries to find some time to kick around a football, keep fit and read.

Responsibility:

• The overall performance of SSA

Mark has been the Deputy Headteacher at Stratford School Academy since 2010 and a teacher in north and east London for the past 17 years. Before a career in teaching, he worked in project management. He is particularly adept at designing and implementing teaching strategies that have the biggest impact on the progress pupils make in school.

Mark has a degree in Product Design and the National Professional Qualification for Headship. He is a member of the Design & Technology Association and the National Science Learning hub and has a deep interest in contemporary Art and Design. Mark is married with 2 children and 2 grandchildren he enjoys travel and is a keen gardener, his secret passion is growing chillies.

Responsibilities:

• Oversight of Curriculum and Timetable
• Academy financial management
• Staffing and recruitment
• Performance Management

Ashley joined Stratford School Academy in May 2017. He has been a teacher in London since 2003 and he has been a senior leader since 2009. Before teaching Ashley worked in the City of London. Ashley has a degree in Social Science and he is graduate of the Future Leaders Programme. He enjoys helping teachers to become excellent classroom practitioners which ultimately improves pupil’s progress and achievement. Ashley is married with 2 children; he enjoys playing tennis and he is a long suffering supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Responsibilities:

• Manage day to day operation of Grosvenor Road site.
• Ensure that the school’s behaviour and pastoral systems are highly effective.
• SEND 
• Attendance

Mark has taught at Stratford School Academy for 20 years, starting out as a Newly Qualified Teacher in PE, then moving into the role of Head of PE and has worked as an Assistant Headteacher and more recently as a Deputy Headteacher. Mark enjoys spending time with his two sons playing any type of sport including football, tennis and golf. You can normally see Mark playing football every Saturday using his silky skills for the Old Parmiterians Vets football team. One of his proudest moments as a teacher was when a pupil he taught for nearly 5 years went on to become a PE teacher.

Responsibilities:

• Manage day to day operation of the Upton Lane site.
• Ensure that the school’s teaching systems are highly effective.

Naila gained a BA in Religion and Philosophy at Brunel University and after several years in the private sector she trained to be a teacher of RE at the Institute of Education. Naila started as a Newly Qualified Teacher at Stratford School Academy in 2003. In 2008 she became a pastoral leader and since 2011 has been an Assistant Headteacher. Naila is passionate about working with young people, helping them overcome barriers and be the best they can.

Responsibilities:

• Safeguarding
• Attendance
• Looked After Children

Following the completion of her Geography degree, Charlotte trained as a teacher in London, through the Teach First programme. Prior to joining Stratford School Academy, she taught in a central London school for 7 years, during which time she completed a Master’s degree in Leadership. Charlotte is passionate about ensuring all students experience the highest standard of education, and joined Stratford School Academy in 2018 with a responsibility for staff development across the school.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluation of teaching and learning
• Design and implement the school’s professional development programme
• Support the development of trainee teachers, ECTs and new teachers to the school
• Design and implement the schools coaching programme

Paul completed his teacher training through Essex Initial Teacher Training after finishing his Degree in Theatre Studies at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. After working at two schools in Essex, Paul joined Stratford School Academy as Head of the Performing Arts Faculty in 2015. In May of 2018 Paul became an Assistant Headteacher, and went on to complete the Teaching Leaders programme with Ambition School Leadership.

Paul’s favourite aspect of his role is, and always will be, the interaction with pupils. He takes great pride in seeing pupils enjoy school and make progress whilst always maintaining high expectations. Paul enjoys running and one of his greatest achievements is completing the London Marathon.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Head of Key Stage 3 Progress
• School Admissions
• School Behaviour Systems and Rewards
• KS3 Student Transition Phases (Year 6-7, Year 9-10)

Beth gained a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from The University of Sussex in 2007. Following this, she travelled to India and Sri Lanka where she decided she wanted to become an RE teacher . Whilst in Sri Lanka Beth taught English in a school in Galle. Beth has worked in schools in Brighton and Bristol and for the past 10 years has worked in East London. Beth is passionate about transformative and aspirational education and improving literacy.

Beth is a keen sports woman; she has completed several half marathons and also plays netball in the North London Netball League. She enjoys reading and spending time with her baby boy.

Responsibilities

• Improving literacy
• Parental engagement
• Homework
• Student voice

Josh read Music at Goldsmiths, University of London, before completing his PGCSE at Canterbury Christchurch University through the Schools Direct Programme. Josh has over 10 years of experience in Education, teaching in India before spending several years teaching at a school in Essex.  Josh joined Stratford School Academy in 2018 and is currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. Josh is passionate about all students having the highest level of educational experience possible to enable them to achieve excellent outcomes.  

Josh’s interests include education, music and cycling. In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts, socialising with friends and family, and following his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.  

Responsibilities:

• Head of KS4 Progress
• Interventions
• Exams

• BA in Geography and Economics at Sheffield University
• Originally wanted to be a lawyer until I volunteered at schools in the local area
• I completed my PGDE in Geography education at Sheffield
• Worked in schools across Sheffield, Luton and West London before coming to Stratford in 2019.
• Have held responsibilities as both Head of Geography and mentor for newly qualified staff 
• Completed courses such as Olevi Securing Good, Women in Leadership and NPQ in leading teacher development 
• Passionate about good quality teaching and learning - social justice 
• In spare time, I like staying active, eating lots of cheese and chocolate and exploring London and Europe 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Evaluation of teaching and learning
• Design and implement the school’s professional development programme
• Support and monitor the development of trainee teachers, ECTs and new teachers to the school

Nadirah joined the Stratford School Academy in 2017 as a HOH. Nadirah studied Law at Queen Mary University, gained her QTS from the Institute of Education and completed her Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from UCL. She had previously worked in Barking and Dagenham as a Head of Year. Her passions has always been about raising standards and wanting to ensure that students develop and progress to their full potential, and go on to lead fulfilling and  purposeful lives.

In her spare time Nadirah spends time with family, friends and thoroughly enjoys west end shows.

RESPONSIBILITY

Staff and Student Wellbeing

Charles joined Stratford School Academy in August 2019 after beginning his career working in a corporate environment in 2011. He started with the Academy in a Facilities Manager role dealing with management of the premises and health & safety. In 2021, he became Head of Estates & Operations and the role he is in now comprises further management of support staff departments including Cover Supervisors and Pupil Services.

Since beginning working in Education, Charles has enjoyed developing the school estates to not only further improve the safety of staff and students alike, but to also positively impact the student experience by introducing modern facilities, improved catering systems and innovative resources. In his spare time, Charles enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, reading and walking his dogs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Management of the school premises and facilities
• Ensuring health & safety compliancy across the estate
• Leading the Pupil Services department
• Responsibility for ensuring necessary cover requirements
• Overall responsibility for Educational Visits