Leadership Update

Prof. Darren Shickle, Chair of the Local Accountability Board, has provided the following information regarding recent leadership developments at Leeds East Academy. A printer-friendly download of this letter is also available in the Letters Home section.

Dear Parents/Carers,

We would like to share with you the latest news regarding future leadership arrangements at Leeds East Academy.

Mr Kenwyn Paddy will be leaving Leeds East Academy this month, following an appointment to a senior role within the Rodillian Multi-Academy Trust. We thank Mr Paddy for his years of service within White Rose Academies Trust, from his significant improvements in English at Leeds West Academy to his inspirational leadership of Leeds East Academy.

Effective from today, we are delighted to announce that Mr Chris Stokes will be Acting Principal of the Academy. Mr Stokes began working for the White Rose Academies Trust as Director of Mathematics, successfully taking Leeds West Academy from 50% to 66% in his first year, and Leeds City Academy from 23% to 51% in 2016. Mr Stokes’ blueprint for improvement has been applied to the whole Trust where he also acts as the Director of Assessment and Achievement. 

Mr Kash Rafiq is now Acting Senior Vice Principal. Mr Rafiq became Vice Principal at Leeds East Academy in 2013, leading on behaviour and safety. When Ofsted visited the Academy in 2015 they noted that the behaviour of students had been radically transformed. Mr Rafiq now leads on whole-school achievement. Collaborating with Mr Stokes, we will continue to secure the very best future pathways for each and every one of our students.

The appointment process for a new Principal will begin this week and it is our hope that our new Principal will start with us straight after the Easter 2017 holidays.

Executive Principal Andrew Whitaker will be regularly based within Leeds East Academy to work directly with these new appointments to secure the outstanding education that every Leeds East Academy student deserves.  In addition, through our collaboration with our new partners at Gorse Academies Trust and Cockburn School, we will be provided with high-level leadership, subject improvement and operational support. More details of our school improvement partnerships can be found at www.whiteroseacademies.org. 

If you wish to discuss any of these developments, please contact us at info@leedseastacademy.org.uk.

Yours faithfully,

Prof. Darren Shickle
Chair, Local Accountability Board, Leeds East Academy