Senior Leadership Team (ID 1007)

• Mark Gray
  Head Teacher
  Mark Gray

  Mark began his career teaching Physical Education at Nunthorpe Academy in Middlesbrough, having completed his Graduate Teacher Program with Stockton GTP. Throughout his time at Nunthorpe, Mark assumed various roles as a pastoral lead, a curriculum lead and seconded to SLT team for two years where he was responsible for data, exams and achievement. In the latter years of his time at Nunthorpe, Mark gained the NPQSL qualification. Having been at Nunthorpe for 9 years it was time for him to move on to a new challenge.

  Mark moved to a promoted post as Associate Assistant Principal and Head of PE at Outwood Academy Acklam in Middlesbrough. Mark was very quickly promoted to Assistant Principal and was responsible for Deep Learning (Teaching and Learning). After 1 year, Mark moved to Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth in Stockton to gain a deeper understanding of senior leadership in a different academy. He was responsible for Deep Experience, attendance, intervention and enrichment. Mark returned to Outwood Academy Acklam in the promoted post as Vice Principal in charge of Deep Experience (Curriculum, data and exams). In February 2020, Mark was promoted to Principal of Outwood Academy Acklam a mere month before the Covid-19 pandemic swept the country.

  Mark remained at Outwood Academy Acklam until June 2022 where he assumed the role of Head Teacher at North Durham Academy. Mark is a firm believer in educating the whole student, placing equal weighting on academic performance as well as personal development. His positive outlook and determination to put students first is clear for all to see and feel. Mark has an unwavering passion for educating young people and for forging links between the academy and the community.

• Rachael Wilkinson
  Deputy Head Teacher
  Rachael Wilkinson

  Rachael joined the NCDAT team in January 2022 having come from a large Multi-Academy Trust in the Tees Valley. Rachael began her career as a Teacher of Science and quickly moved on to several roles within the Trust including several pastoral roles and Careers Lead.

  Rachael then began working with schools as an Evidence Lead in Education through the Research School to improve science education across the North East. Her work included accelerated progress for KS3 and KS4, enriching the science curriculum through purposeful practical and behaviour for learning.

• Helen Bownes
  Deputy Head Teacher
  Helen Bownes

  Helen realised she wanted to follow a career in teaching, after she worked in a French ski resort, with English school children, following her graduation from the University of Sussex. She began her career as a Geography teacher in a school in Stevenage, where she quickly developed an interest and passion in supporting students in breaking down barriers they may have to their learning.

  Helen worked at Northern Education Trust as their Regional SENDCO, whereby she worked with the Executive Principals and Principals of the northern secondary academies to improve the provisions for SEND students. Helen moved to become the Director of Specialism (SEND) for New College Durham Academies Trust in April 2022. Her drive is to ensure that all SEND students receive the high quality provision they need to be successful. To do this Helen is committed to ensuring that Quality First Teaching, high aspirations and expectations are a norm for SEND students.

  Following a recent secondment as Acting Deputy Head Teacher at NDA, Helen is delighted to start this as a permanent position from September 2023 leading Behaviour and Attitudes.

• Scott Danks
  Deputy Head Teacher
  Scott Danks

• Kate Middleton
  Assistant Head Teacher
  Kate Middleton

  Kate began her career teaching Drama at High Tunstall College of Science following completion of the GTP programme with Sunderland University. During her time with HTCS Kate took on board responsibility for whole school transition and became programme coordinator for Creative Arts ensuring quality and consistency of curriculum across Music, Art and Drama. Following 5 years at High Tunstall Kate felt the need to place her own stamp on a department and joined Outwood Academy Ormesby in Middlesbrough as Head of Drama.

  During her time with Outwood Ormesby Kate progressed to Head of Creative Arts leading on Drama, Art, Music and Dance. Kate was also appointed Associate Assistant Principal taking the lead on transition, Mental Health and wellbeing and student voice. During her time at Outwood Ormesby Kate was able to use the various projects she worked on to gain both her NPQML and NPQSL qualifications.

  In September 2020 Kate was promoted to the position of Assistant Principal at Outwood Academy Acklam and moved to focus on areas of student support such as attendance, behaviour, CLA and safeguarding and inclusion. As part of her work at Outwood Acklam Kate was able to secure the school the Carnegie Gold award for Mental Health and completed her Senior Mental Health lead DFE training.

  Kate has now joined North Durham Academy as Assistant Head Teacher and is looking forward to using her experience and passion to continue to support and develop the students here to achieve their absolute potential.

• George Dawson
  Assistant Head Teacher
  George Dawson

  George trained as an Architect at the University of Newcastle before spending some time in industry. He started his teaching career at Cramlington Learning Village as a teacher of technology where his passion for innovative and reflective pedagogy was nurtured. George moved to North Durham Academy in 2014 to lead the technology department, there were significant improvements to the results across the range of technology GCSE subjects during this period driven by redevelopment of the technology curriculum. On the back of this success George was promoted to Head of Directorate shortly afterwards, thus encompassing a wide range of subjects including computing, technology, business and motor vehicle engineering. In 2017 George joined the Senior Leadership Team and led on safeguarding and behaviour. Having successfully developed these areas he has now risen to the challenge of leading Deep Experience and is excited to implement the same level of creativity and innovation applied during his tenure in Deep Support.

• Lauren Brierley
  Assistant Head Teacher
  Lauren Brierley

  Lauren began her career as a science teacher working for Forest Gate Community School in Newham, London after completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of London. She worked her way up the ranks within the science department, finally being promoted to Head of Science Faculty. During her time within this role Lauren led the science team to achieve their best ever set of results, helping the school reach the status of becoming the 12th best achieving secondary school in the country.

  Lauren has always had a passion for Teaching and Learning and was soon promoted to Assistant Headteacher responsible for teaching and learning in another large secondary school in London. During her time Lauren began to establish and embed the changes needed to dramatically improve the standard of teaching within the school.

  In 2021, Lauren decided to move back home to the North-East and joined North Durham Academy as Assistant Head Teacher for Deep Learning. As a senior leader within the Academy, Lauren believes that every lesson should have a positive impact on our students and that high quality, engaging lessons should be the norm.

• Claire Ogden
  Assistant Head Teacher
  Claire Ogden

Year Team (ID 1008)

• Amanda Graham
  Year 7 Manager
  Amanda Graham

• Kate Hodge
  Head of Year 7
  Kate Hodge

• Hannah Wynne
  Year 8 Manager
  Hannah Wynne

• Harrison Brown
  Head of Year 8
  Harrison Brown

• Emma Hanlon
  Year 9 Manager
  Emma Hanlon

• Jonathan Lee
  Head of Year 9
  Jonathan Lee

• Kristy Smith
  Year 10 Manager
  Kristy Smith

• Sarah Graham
  Head of Year 10
  Sarah Graham

• Shaun Findlay
  Year 11 Manager
  Shaun Findlay

• Tina Haynes
  Head of Year 11
  Tina Haynes