Staff

Our objective is for all students in the academy to raise their aspirations. We aim to give students the winning combination of a good education and the life skills for future employability. All our teaching and support teams are united in their focus on excellence and will challenge all students to achieve their best; be that in lessons, over meal times or whilst enjoying co-curricular activities.

Mr Richard White
Head of School

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.

Mr Christopher Endacott
Deputy Headteacher – 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 David Nieper Academy, I feel incredibly proud of the students here and their positive approach to their studies.

Mr Chris Ruddy
Assistant Headteacher – Teaching & Learning

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 2016.

I have since completed both a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Warwick and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. I have been on the senior leadership team since 2019, leading previously on enrichment, the academy’s Careers and Employability Programme, and behaviour. Currently, I oversee the quality of teaching, professional development, initial teacher education and supporting early career teachers.

Mrs Emma Merchant
Assistant Headteacher – Pastoral and Inclusion, SENCO & 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 David Nieper Academy as we begin our journey to becoming an outstanding school.

Mr Bernie Brankin
Assistant Headteacher – Personal Development

I have worked at David Nieper Academy for over twenty-four years and have been witness to numerous changes, including the renaming of the school twice. I began my career as a teacher of physical education and design and technology after completing a BSc (Hons) Combined Studies degree at Manchester Metropolitan University in 1998. I then trained for a further year, completing my Postgraduate Certificate of Education (secondary) in 1999.

Throughout my years, I have held various roles of responsibility, including year manager for years 10 and 11, head of leisure studies, head of PE, performing arts, and music. Recently, I joined the senior leadership team with responsibility for leading personal development and employability.

I am very much invested in David Nieper Academy and profoundly enjoy working within an environment that is so driven to enhance the progress and well-being of its students. I am proud to be part of David Nieper, and I am fully committed to supporting our students to be successful in every way.

Mr Nick Wadsworth
Assistant Headteacher – Achievement

I completed my undergraduate studies with a BA in History from the University of Lancaster in 2011 before completing a Masters in Historical Research at the University of Sheffield in 2012. My first role in education, in 2013, was teaching across humanities subjects at Aston Academy in Rotherham. I took a role a role promoting revision skills and use of online learning resources school-wide in 2015 looking to raise the profile of independent learning outside of school.

In 2018 I joined the Manor Academy in Mansfield Woodhouse as head of history and continued my career development there, becoming head of humanities in 2020.

I joined the leadership team at David Nieper Academy in 2023 as Assistant Headteacher for Achievement, leading students in their journeys to becoming better independent learners and developing tools to realise their future aspirations.

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

Mrs Wendy Bennett
Head of Finance & Operations

I am a qualified certified accountant who has worked in the Education Finance Sector for many years.

My recent roles include a Chief Finance Officer at a Multi Academy Trust and School Business Manager at three large secondary schools.

My role at David Nieper Academy is to take responsibility for all Financial & Operational issues.

English Faculty

Mr A Covell, Head of English

Mrs E Merchant, Teacher of English

Mrs T Heeley-Cregan, Teacher of English

Miss J Hill, Teacher of English, Head of Transition

Miss M Roberts, Teacher of English

Miss Z Skermer, Teacher of English and Pupil Premium & Literacy Coordinator

Mrs S Wilcockson, Teacher of English and Employability & Enterprise Coordinator

Miss C Cantrill, Teacher of English

Miss K Turner, Progress & Achievement

Maths Faculty

Miss R Brown, Director of Maths

Miss L Coe, Second of Maths

Mr M Wraith, Second of Maths

Mrs S Williams, Teacher of Maths

Ms C Brennan, Teacher of Maths

Mr C Hutchinson, Academic Mentor

Mr A Doohan, Academic Mentor

Science Faculty

Mr S Hardy, Head of Science

Miss K Acey, Teacher of Science

Mrs H Bacon-Clarke, Second of Science

Mrs F Hind, Teacher of Science and Head of Years 7 & 8

Mrs B Mumtaz, Teacher of Science

Mr P Dinh, Teacher of Science

Mrs S Richardson, Teacher of Science

Mr M Douglass, Teacher of Science

Mr S Leader, Science Technician

Miss G Burrows, Science Technician

Miss A Dziegielewska, Science Technician

Humanities & MFL Faculty

Mrs C Clarke, Head of Humanities

Mrs E Worthy, Second of Humanities

Mrs J Close Long, Second of Humanities

Mr C Ruddy, Teacher of Geography

Miss A Flynn, Teacher of Geography

Miss C Richards, Teacher of History

Mrs J Jackson, Teacher of Geography

Miss C Curwen, Teacher of MFL (French)

Mrs S Middleton, Teacher of French

Mr C Dixon, Teacher of Business Studies and Sixth Form Progress & Achievement Leader

Mrs V Fawcett, Teacher and Careers & Employability Leader

Mrs A Walters, Teacher of Sociology and Religious Studies

Miss G Naylor, Teacher of Humanities & Academic Mentor

Mr N Wadsworth, Teacher of Geography

Mr M Conway, Teacher of Psychology

Miss D Wetton, Sixth Form Academic Mentor

Technology Faculty

Mrs E Thorpe, Head of Technology

Miss C Bingham, Second of Technology

Mr C Endacott, Teacher of Computer Science

Mr A Beal, Teacher of Computing

Mr J Turner, Teacher of Art and Design & Technology

Miss E Grimsley, Food & Art Support Technician

Mr A Cook, Technology Technician

Miss N Bolsover, Teacher of Technology

PE & Dance Faculty

Mrs L Frost-Briggs, Head of PE

Mr B Brankin, Teacher of PE

Mr J Clarke, Teacher of PE & Dance

Mrs C Harrison, Teacher of Music, Second in Faculty

Mrs L Speed, Teacher of PE & Dance and Co & Extra-Curricular Coordinator

Mrs R Turner, Teacher of Dance & Performing Arts, Progress & Achievement Leader KS4

Miss L Gregory, Teacher of Dance, Drama & PE

Mr E Cakar, Acting Teacher of Music

Miss L Crisp, Music Assistant

Support & Admin Staff

Mrs E Hopewell, Attendance Officer

Mrs R Sutcliffe, Attendance Officer

Mrs N Hyde-Moxon, Examinations Officer

Miss N Borg, Exams & Data Assistant

Mrs C Gibson, Finance Officer

Mrs T Margione, Receptionist

Mrs J Shephard, Office Support

Mr K Bearton, Senior IT Technician

Mrs M Hackett, PA to Head of School

Mrs M Barnes, HR Admin Assistant

Mrs J Rodgers, HR Manager

Miss C Oxley, Data & SIMS Officer

Mrs D Hardwick, Admin Assistant

Mrs L Bacon, Learning Resource Assistant

Miss C Webster, Finance & Admin Assistant

Miss W Li, Marketing & Media Officer

Pastoral Support Managers

Mrs H Sheridan, Transition and Year 7

Miss E Fulleylove, Years 8 & 9

Mr S Artliff, Year 10

Mrs L Howard, Year 11, 12 & 13

Mrs A Mann

Mr B Matthews, Family Support Officer

Miss L Billiard, Pastoral & Attendance Support Officer

Site Staff

Mr D Leonard, Site Manager

Mr A Blades, Assistant Site Manager

Mr G Williams, Caretaker

Learning Support Staff

Mrs L Ford, Assistant SENCO KS3

Miss M Laven, Behaviour Support Manager

Mrs L Webster, Behaviour Support Manager

Mrs K Stevens, TA

Mr R Blunden, TA

Mrs L Bradford, TA and Information, Advice, Guidance & Work Related Learning Coordinator

Mr T Lowe, TA

Mrs L Steele, TA

Mrs H Percival, TA

Mrs J Kennedy, TA

Mrs J Coe, TA

Miss T Curtain, TA

Miss E Nicholson, TA

Miss M Thompson, TA

Miss R Badesha, TA

Miss J Chawner-Wright, TA

Miss K Hibbs, TA

Miss J Scott, TA

Mrs E Sharp, TA

Miss M Bailey, TA