Prior to commencing his role as Principal at Leeds City Academy in March 2019, Richard worked as Vice Principal at Leeds West Academy, with responsibility for the improvement in the quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment across the school. Richard was delighted to have played such a significant role in establishing a range of innovative and highly impactful strategies that transformed teaching at LWA, leading to significant improvements in student engagement, progress, and achievement. 

  

Before he began to work within the White Rose Academies, Richard enjoyed a very long and successful career as a teacher of Physical Education, which included a period of 12 years working within the national School Sport Partnership programme as Partnership Development Manager and subsequently as Associate Assistant Headteacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Leeds. Richard then enjoyed 5 years working within the GORSE Academies Trust, initially as Director of Sport at The Farnley Academy, before his promotion to Assistant Principal and later as Vice Principal at the Ruth Gorse Academy before he secured the role of Vice Principal at Leeds West Academy. 

 

Richard feels immensely proud and privileged to be nearing his fourth-year anniversary as the Principal of Leeds City Academy, an academy that is so rich in culture and diversity. He remains steadfast in continuing to build and develop the amazing culture at Leeds City Academy which focuses on a clear ethos and set of values.  

 

Richard is also excited to be leading the Academy through an unprecedented period of growth which will see student numbers reaching 1050 by September 2025 and a considerable £7 million facility improvement programme which will support the continued transformation of the Academy enabling students to excel and develop as both successful and amazing young people.  

  

Away from school he enjoys nothing better than relaxing on holiday with his wife and three daughters. Richard also really enjoys watching a range of sports, training at the gym and has a real interest in films and TV dramas.