Meet the Leadership Team

Chris Keen
Executive Principal

Email: enquiries@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I am passionate about improving the life chances of young people, making sure academic results improve and pupils have access to opportunities beyond the classroom.

I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to work with everyone at The Bulwell Academy — a school with huge potential — and one that I am excited to be a part of its journey and development.

I have been a Principal of secondary schools for the past 13 years, leading schools to achieve a Good Ofsted rating. For the past 8 years, I have worked for the Creative Education Trust where I amalgamated a secondary school and a sixth form to create The Hart School — a school which is now rated Good and is oversubscribed. Latterly, I was appointed Principal of Ellis Guilford School in Nottingham.

I started my career as a Teacher of English, before becoming a Head of Department, Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, a Deputy Headteacher in Sheffield and a Principal in a large secondary school in Sheffield, where I now live.

Matt Irons
Acting Head of School

Email: matt.irons@bulwellacademy.org.uk

Having grown up in the local community really drives me to want to make a difference to the students in our care. I am passionate about making sure that we break down barriers and create opportunities for young people to be successful both at school and beyond. I am extremely proud to be working alongside students, parents and staff as we build a new Bulwell Academy!

I worked for 5 years in an International School in Bahrain, before joining The Nottingham Emmanuel School and working as the Director of Achievement, helping the school to achieve its strongest ever GCSE outcomes. More recently I took on the role of Assistant Principal with responsibility for safeguarding, attendance and behaviour at Djanogly City Academy, a role I thoroughly enjoyed and one that gave me the experience required to take on such a pivotal role for behaviour at The Bulwell Academy.

Craig Chapman
Vice Principal, Behaviour

Email: craig.chapman3@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I truly believe education should be geared towards a holistic approach; where every child should have the opportunity to excel in the school environment, focusing on students’ attitudes, behaviour, personal development and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

School should be a place where students feel valued, feel part of a family, and enjoy attending school every day. Students who are in a happy, supportive, caring environment will prosper and succeed during their school life. 

I am a passionate and experienced teacher, who has taught in North Yorkshire, Malaysia and Qatar.  During my teaching career, I have held positions in middle management and leadership roles including Deputy Principal and Head of School positions.

Amy Fuller
Vice Principal, Attendance & Safeguarding

Email: amy.fuller@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I am passionate about education enabling every student to thrive. I believe that in order to achieve this, a school needs to be a strong community as a whole, working together with the area that it serves.

Supporting pupils and parents by working together to address any in-school barriers to attendance is my ongoing focus. I took on the role of Vice Principal for Attendance & Safeguarding in December 2022. I have previously led on Teaching and Learning, CPD, Early Career Teachers and school operations.

I believe that the foundation of securing good attendance is that school is a calm, orderly, safe, and supportive environment where all pupils want to be and are keen and ready to learn. Being around teachers and friends in a school environment is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential.

I have taught in Nottingham city since 2007, when I qualified as a Geography teacher. I joined Bulwell Academy in January 2021.

Chris Smith
Vice Principal, Curriculum & Assessment

Email: chris.smith2@bulwellacademy.org.uk

At Bulwell, I specialise in curriculum development and the use of data to raise the attainment of our pupils.

I started teaching Science in 2007 at a school in Derbyshire. Following this I moved to another school within the area focusing on rewards and the House system. 

Following 3 successful years, I moved to Spain to take up a leadership role in a British International School. After nearly 8 years, 4 as Head of Secondary School and Sixth Form, I returned to the UK and took post at a school in Pontefract.

It was in Pontefract that I honed my curriculum leadership skills and led me to become Assistant Principal at The Bulwell Academy. Since my appointment I have taken strategic leadership of Curriculum and Assessment as Vice Principal.

Jim Brownlow
Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Assessment

Email: jim.brownlow@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I have been working in education around the Nottinghamshire area since 2007. My journey across several different schools and contexts, has given me the leadership skills and knowledge of curriculum, teaching and learning and culture necessary to help The Bulwell Academy to grow and improve.

I spent my first five years as a Physics teacher at the Minster School in Southwell, before spending two years as Head of Physics at Mount St Mary’s in Spinkhill. I was fortunate to join Djanogly City Academy as Head of Science as they began a journey of improvement resulting in the school becoming one of the highest performing in the country in terms of the progress made by students. Following on from this success, I joined Kirk Hallam Community Academy as a school leader for curriculum where the school achieved some of its best-ever progress results.

I joined The Bulwell Academy as Assistant Principal with strategic oversight of Curriculum & Assessment as well as Careers and Year 10.

Dom Hayton
Assistant Principal, Data & Assessment

Email: dominic.hayton@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I am passionate about students achieving the best they can and opening doors for their future. 

I have worked at Bulwell all of my teaching career, starting here on placement as a University student.

I have held different responsibilities within Maths including Head of Department for a number of years. I am now Assistant Principal for Data and Assessment whilst also being linked to year 11.

Kate McCarthy
Assistant Principal

Email: kate.mccarthy@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I am excited to be a part of The Bulwell Academy journey and believe that the school has so much potential for continued improvements.

I have 12 years’ experience of working as a pastoral leader, and as a head of department in both independent and state schools. My pastoral experience has taught me that only when children are happy and feel valued will they make the most of the opportunities available to them.

My philosophy of education is that effective provision should develop and nurture the wellbeing of pupils both inside and outside of the classroom. Young people can only achieve academic success if they have a good level of mental and emotional wellbeing.

I believe in a student-centred approach to pastoral care, where all students are treated as individuals and supported to be the best that they can be.  The building of effective relationships is key to this, alongside essential elements such as student voice and student leadership opportunities.

Anita Wall
SENDCO, Assistant Principal

Email: anita.wall@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I strongly believe that high quality inclusive education is the gateway to securing transformational futures, for all of our pupils with SEN needs at The Bulwell Academy.

I am delighted to have joined The Bulwell Academy in September 2023 as Assistant Principal and SENDCO. I have been a qualified SENDCO for over five years and have completed a Masters degree in Special Educational Needs.

Emma Worker-Simpson
Assistant Principal
Pupils, Parents & Partnerships

Email: emmaworker-simpson@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the Assistant Principal for pupils, parents and partnerships, here at The Bulwell Academy.

This role is incredibly important to me because it places our school right in the heart of our community, where it belongs. I am excited about the journey ahead and the positive changes we can make together. The Bulwell Academy is more than just a school; it is a community. By working together, we can ensure that our pupils thrive and succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Kevin Aistrup
Associate Assistant Principal

Email: kevin.aistrup@bulwellacademy.org.uk

In 2024, I was delighted to join the school’s leadership team, with a specific focus on Teaching & Learning. A key part of my role is to ensure consistent, quality teaching across the school and to give teachers opportunities to develop their own practice.

I have been working in Education since 2006 in a range of Nottingham city schools, previously leading successful English departments both at The Bulwell Academy and across Nottingham.

I understand the power that education can have on students and will focus on removing any barriers in the classroom, allowing all students to reach their full potential. It’s an exciting time to be part of The Bulwell Academy as we enter into a new era for Teaching & Learning.

Kat Carrick
Associate Assistant Principal

Email: kat.carrick@bulwellacademy.org.uk

I have been a teacher since 2008 and have spent my teaching career working in Nottingham City schools.  I have had many roles, during that time: leading within English and Media, latterly becoming Director of Faculty for English here at Bulwell Academy.

Throughout my career, I have worked most extensively with examination groups, driving them to academic success whilst balancing the pressures and mechanics of those difficult years. In 2024, my role has moved away from English and I am leading our Year 11s along with Miss O’Sullivan, Director of Achievement, to ensure excellent outcomes and drive aspirations within the school.

I am also the proud mother of Barry, the school therapy dog! I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to contribute to the school’s new therapeutic approach, something which lies at the heart of my education philosophy.

Rachael Crick
Associate Assistant Principal

Email: rachael.crick@bulwellacademy.org.uk

Having been at The Bulwell Academy since 2020 as Director of Faculty for the Arts, I am delighted to join the leadership team as Associate Assistant Principal.

My current leadership responsibility is linked to the development of new teachers and staff development, as a whole. An outstanding and supported start of a person’s teaching career is palpable. I am driven by this to provide a quality and robust programme to colleagues who join us as part of the Initial Teacher Training Program as well as those who work with us in the early stages of their career.

Since qualifying in 2013, I have worked in a range of school in the Midlands area as a Drama teacher and for the last 8 years as a Director of Faculty for the Arts. I have expanded my experience by working as a Specialist Leader of Education providing coaching to other schools to strengthen their provision in a range of academic areas.