Staff

Dr Kathryn Hobbs
Headteacher

Originally from Derbyshire, I was educated at Matthew Holland Comprehensive in Selston.

Before heading up the David Nieper Academy, I was the senior deputy head at The Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate, Surrey.

Previously, I worked as head of curriculum research at United Learning, operating across 27 schools all over England with responsibilities for school improvement and staff development. I have a joint honours degree in Music and Sociology from Keele University which I gained alongside my teacher training qualifications and a Psychology Degree from The Open University and a Doctorate in Education at Sheffield University.

Mr Richard White
Deputy Headteacher – Teaching & Learning

After spending 3 years working in scientific research, I began my teaching career in 2002 at Rushcliffe School, Nottinghamshire. During my time there I worked in a number of different roles, including as Head of Science. In this role, I led my team to become one of the highest achieving science faculties in the country and supported the school’s rise to “Outstanding” and then “World class school” status. As part of a multi-academy trust, I then worked to support the achievement of science faculties across a wider group of schools in the Nottingham area. In 2014, I joined The Farnborough Academy as Assistant Headteacher; successfully leading improvements in teaching and learning, and in behaviour.

I have always been incredibly passionate about improving the quality of teaching and learning and I am committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible education for our students. Since joining David Nieper Academy in September 2018,  I have been extremely impressed by the staff and students that I have met and I am very excited about joining an ambitious leadership team with a shared vision of excellence.

Mrs Emma Merchant
Assistant Head –
Pastoral and Inclusion

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

I first started teaching as an English teacher in 2009 at Garibaldi College in Mansfield. During my 6 years at the school I helped support the school move from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding achievement’. In 2015 I successfully completed the ‘National SENCO Award and the specialist CPT3A award for Access Arrangements.

I joined Alfreton Grange in January 2016 as a Lead Practitioner in English and as part of the leadership team, we raised achievement to secure outstanding results. I was appointed Assistant Head – Pastoral in September 2016 and am really looking forward to leading the David Nieper Academy as we begin our journey to becoming an outstanding school.

Mr Christopher Endacott
Assistant Head –
Academic

I graduated from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle in 2003 with a degree in Computing. As part of my degree, I worked for British Airways in London for a year developing and maintaining ICT systems. I began my first teaching job in 2004 at John Port School in Derbyshire teaching ICT to Year 7-13 students.

After three years of working there, I was promoted to Key Stage 4 Coordinator until 2008 when I moved to what was Mill Hill School as Head of ICT from 2008 to 2014. The school then converted to The Ripley Academy and I was promoted to Assistant Headteacher. Recently I have completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders.

I joined David Nieper Academy in January 2018 as Assistant Headteacher Academic. As part of this role, I lead on data, assessment and reporting, timetable, and options amongst other things. In the short time, I have been at the David Nieper Academy I feel incredibly proud of the students here and their positive approach to their studies.

Mrs Joy Williams
Business Manager

Mrs Lisa Howard
Designated Safeguarding Lead

I am the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns within school, working closely with our Headteacher and partner agencies.

I have worked in this school as a DSL for 9 years and prior to this I worked for the West Midlands Police as a Child Protection Officer.

I also lead on anti-bullying initiatives as the safety and well-being of our students is paramount.

If you have any safeguarding issues, contact me in school or email lhoward@davidnieper.academy

Mr Chris Ruddy
Associate SLT

After spending four years studying Geography at both the University of Manchester and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, I moved to Derbyshire to train as a geography teacher here at David Nieper Academy, after which I was promoted to Head of Humanities in 2006. I have since completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Warwick and I am currently working towards my National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. I am thrilled to be joining the Academy’s senior leadership team, where I will oversee staff development, teacher training, work-related learning and co/extra-curricular activities.