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 10 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Following the completion of her Geography degree, Charlotte trained as a teacher in London, through the Teach First programme. She has taught in a central London school for the last 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 teacher learning across the school.
In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her family, reading and travel.

Matthew completed a BA Hons degree in History at the University of Sheffield in 1989 before training to be a teacher. In a career spanning 30 years he has taught in a variety of schools across London and has been a Head of History, Head of Humanities as well as a Senior Teacher.
Mr Walkinshaw joined Stratford School Academy in 2014 and has shown a
passion for teaching and to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to gain the best possible qualifications.
He enjoys time with his family, reading and watching or playing any type of sport.

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.

Before joining Stratford School Academy, James was a senior leader in a number of Special Schools and he was a SENCo and taught English and Drama in mainstream schools in Newham, Westminster and Waltham Forest.
James enjoys running, reading, playing guitar in a band and going on camping holidays. He has three children, the youngest now being 20 years old.
James loves the theatre and in previous schools put on a number of large scale productions including ‘Macbeth’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘The Crucible’ and ‘Saturday Night Fever’.

Beth gained a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from The University of Sussex in 2007. Following this, Beth travelled to India and Sri Lanka where she decided she wanted to become an RE teacher. Whilst in Sri Lanka she taught English in a school in Galle. Beth has worked in schools in Brighton and Bristol and for the past 9 years has worked in East London. Beth is passionate about teaching and learning and working with young people. From January 2020, she has the responsibility for improving teaching and learning across the school.
Beth is a keen sports woman; she has completed several half marathons and also plays netball in the North London Netball League. Beth also enjoys reading, cooking and travel.

Charles joined Stratford School Academy in August 2019 after working in a corporate environment since the start of his career in Facilities in 2011. His role varies from day-to-day management of the fabric of the Academy buildings to the more in-depth management of the H&S systems at the Academy, ensuring the safety of all staff and pupils on site.
Charles is a husband and father and in his spare time enjoys reading, travelling and walking his dog!