Three-year goal for acting Leeds headteacher

Chris Stokes became acting principal at the academy on November 7.

He began working at the White Rose Academies Trust, of which Leeds East Academy is a part, as Director of Mathematics. He is also the Director of Assessment and Achievement for the Trust.

Mr Stokes said: “I am thrilled and immensely proud to have been asked to take on the role as acting principal at Leeds East Academy. We will ensure that our school achieves record-breaking examination results and meets its goal of being an outstanding Academy within the next three years.

“Working closely with staff, students, parents and our Trust sponsor, Leeds City College, we will provide our students with the highest quality teaching, within a heavily-resourced learning environment designed to meet the needs of the 21st century learner.”

Andrew Whitaker, who was recently appointed the Executive Principal of White Rose Academies Trust, said: “As part of our Academy’s journey to outstanding we’re growing our family of outstanding professionals with exceptional teachers and inspirational leaders, all committed to unlocking the potential of the next generation.

“Our Trust exists to harness the skills and fortify the aspirations of young people in our region, who we know will contribute to the exhilarating future of Leeds.”

Kash Rafiq, who became vice principal of the academy in 2013, has been appointed as acting senior vice principal. He also leads on ‘whole-school achievement’.