We are a popular and oversubscribed academy. We currently have 801 students on roll, with a pupil admission number (PAN) of 165 per year group.
Matt Hire is our Headteacher who runs the academy on a daily basis alongside the Senior Leadership Team who all are proactively working with staff to transform the opportunities for the students.
The St Lawrence Academy is the founding school of the newly formed St Lawrence Academies Trust, which is a Church of England Multi Academy Trust based in the Diocese of Lincoln. Our Chair of the Local Governing Board is Revd Phillip Brent Our vision and ethos are driven by our core values of truth, justice, respect, generosity and forgiveness.
Matt Hire
Headteacher
I trained as an English and Drama teacher through the prestigious Graduate Teacher Programme at Thomas Telford Teaching Alliance in 2011 and have worked as a Head of Year and in a range of senior leadership positions in Nottingham, London, Dubai and more recently, Birmingham. During my time working as a Vice Principal in Dubai, I also completed my School Inspection training for the Ministry of Education and was involved in a number of school improvement inspections during my time there. More recently, I have served as Principal of two inner-city schools in Birmingham and led significant positive changes at both schools. I am incredibly proud to have been appointed as Interim Headteacher at TSLA and look forward to helping the Academy grow from strength to strength.
Gabriella Pattinson
Deputy Headteacher Pastoral and DSL
I graduated Liverpool John Moores University in 2012 with a 1st Class Hons degree in Dance, before going on to the Royal Academy of Dance to complete my PGCE and teacher training. Before my career as a teacher I have performed professionally as a dancer.
After 10 years teaching (Dance and English) and leading schools in Northampton, I have relocated back to my hometown in order to serve in my local area, one that I am passionate about. I have significant experience within pastoral, behaviour and safeguarding settings spanning over a decade, with The St Lawrence Academy being my second Deputy Headteacher role, as well as an experience as an Acting Principal. Having had a significant impact on those young lives in challenging London and Northamptonshire schools, I am committed to ensuring the highest behavioural, learning and safeguarding standards for our young people at St Lawrence.
Dan Ellerby
Deputy Headteacher, Learning & Progress
I trained to be a PE teacher in the predecessor school over 15 years ago., and have continued my journey at the academy within various different roles ever since. I have been a House Leader, Curriculum Area Leader, Senior Middle Leader, and a Senior Leader, which have included roles that have focused on both the personal development and academic achievements of our students. As Deputy Headteacher, I am responsible for the quality of education in the academy and I also oversee our trainee/early career teachers.
Helen West
Deputy Headteacher for SEND
I have worked at the predecessor school and the Academy since January 2007 and I was also a student of High Ridge from 1986-1991. I still live locally and feel very passionate about supporting and treasuring our students, our families and our community. During my time at the academy I have been a teacher of Mathematics, the SENDCo, the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, the Lead for Inclusion and the Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion and Achievement. From January 2024, I have reduced my hours and my redesigned role as Deputy Headteacher focused on SEND and our developing internal Alternative Provision. I also have a role on The St Lawrence Academies Trust Central Team as an Executive Education Support Partner. I am committed to ensuring that the academy is a safe, welcoming place that meets the needs of all so that our vision of treasuring everyone and transforming communities is a reality.
Joey Kock
Assistant Headteacher
I have been a teacher for many years across a variety of secondary schools, both locally and internationally, offering a variety of subjects inclusive of Food Technology, Health and Social care, Hospitality and Catering but more recently teacher of Geography. I have also spent time in both primary and special education. My roles in education have included Head of Department, Achievement Team Leader, Senior leader for Personal Development and currently Senior Leader for learning and progress with a focus on assessment. My responsibilities include data analysis, timetabling and SLT link for Science, Technology inclusive of Music. As SLT link for KS4 I monitor and support the year group teams, ensuring our students access and embrace our high quality education opportunities, in preparation of achieving their aspirations, for their future career.
John Hancock
Assistant Headteacher
Prior to joining the teaching profession, I worked in a number of roles in both the manufacturing and service industries for a number of years. I started my teaching career by doing supply and home tuition before securing my first full time post as a teacher of Geography in Rotherham. I have since become a head of Geography, then leading a very successful Humanities faculty before gaining my current role as a Senior Leader with responsibility for Learning and Progress. I have worked across a number of schools and academies and within a number of MATs, which has given me a real insight into how the education system works and I am committed to ensuring our children receive the best possible life chances whilst they are here at the St Lawrence Academy and beyond into their futures.
Sarah Peach
Business and Operations Leader
I have enjoyed various roles throughout my career both in private, public and voluntary sectors. I joined the academy in January 2023 as a member of the SLT team and hope to be able to share my knowledge and experience to support the academy.
In my previous post I was heavily involved in safeguarding, quality and raising standards and aspirations for children in care which was both challenging but very rewarding.
I am excited to be part of the team at The St Lawrence Academy and look forward to playing my part in the students and academy journey.
James Stainton
Associate Assistant Headteacher
I am very much a 'home grown' employee at The St Lawrence Academy. I have had the pleasure of securing a number of roles in my 9 years here since being employed as a PE Technician after University. Predominantly a Teacher of PE but in addition to this I have been a House Leader, currently Year 10 Achievement Team Leader and more recently Associate Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development. I am passionate about providing the best possible opportunities for our young people to grow and flourish by strengthening the bond between academic and personal growth. I am responsible for embedding Careers and Character Education within the curriculum as well as raising the hopes and aspirations of all students through meaningful encounters and experiences.
Donna MacDonald
Associate Assistant Headteacher
I have worked in education for over 30 years and have taught English in Secondary Schools in North and North East Lincolnshire since 2004. I am from this area and I am very passionate about working with, and supporting, in my own community. I have had many roles over the last 30 years with 5 years experience working on a Senior Leadership Team. I am currently the Curriculum Progress Leader for English and the Associate Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for leading Stretch and Challenge development in the academy. This includes leading and managing the newly created Aspire Club.
Other Key Academy Contacts
Kate Williams
SENDCo
I joined the academy as a full time English teacher as it opened in 2008. Since then, I have been the Literacy Coordinator and I am currently the SENDCo; a post that I have been in for three years. I am passionate about giving our SEND students a happy and positive school experience and I have high expectations for all.
Prior to teaching, I have worked in other senior schools in North East Lincolnshire and had alternative job roles that included manufacturing, retail and admin for the M.O.D.
I also attended High Ridge as a student and grew up in the local area which I feel gives me something in common and an understanding with our students.
Garry Drinkall
Senior Manager for Systems and Structures & DPO
I have worked within education IT services for over 20 years across schools within North Lincolnshire. I started as an IT technician in a school following a change in career path after spending some time as a Quantity Surveyor. I joined The St Lawrence Academy in 2008 as the Network Manager after leaving the LA where I had been a member of the Schools IT support team and Senior IT and Broadband Implementation Officer. My role within the Academy has expanded over the years to include a number of areas including premises as we have a number of IT systems now integrated in the management of the building. I am also Data Protection following the introduction of GDPR. I have a number of years experience within primary governance helping to establish a new primary school.
Lorna Johnson
PA to Headteacher & SLT
I joined the predecessor school 17 years ago as part time admin support, and assisted with some finance after working in a bank for 19 years. I have supported all the Senior Leadership Team since the start of the academy in 2008 which has been very varied work across all departments and teams. I became the Admin and Finance Manager overseeing the admin function and team across the academy which also included processing finance and personnel. Recently I have slightly changed my role again as PA to the Headteacher and supporting SLT whilst continuing to oversee admin and personnel. In my spare time I am Treasurer for my local Scout group and enjoy meeting up with friends and spending time with my granddaughter.
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- Staff List
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- Staffing Structure Associate
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- Staffing Structure Teaching
