Leadership Team

Anna Jordan – Principal

Anna joined KAA as Vice Principal for Assessment & Curriculum in April 2014. She was promoted to Head of School in the summer of 2022 and then to Principal after the departure of the school’s founding Principal David Benson in October 2023. Anna’s appointment as Principal provides stability and continuity for KAA as she has been at KAA working closely with David Benson since the school opened and central in everything the school has achieved.

Anna graduated from the University of  Sheffield with a BSc (Hons) in Maths & Philosophy. Prior to working at KAA, Anna was Assistant Headteacher at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College (BTHCC), an 11-18 school in South Manchester. Throughout her career Anna has been passionate about developing innovative approaches to teaching and learning within Maths. In conjunction with the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Mathematics in Education and Industry she developed new approaches to teaching the subject which have now been shared widely with other schools. She has supported many schools in the development of their Mathematics curriculum and teaching through her work within the SSAT and PiXL networks.

Ryan Bernard – Senior Vice Principal

Ryan graduated from the University of East London with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching. He then completed his PGCE in Physical Education at Middlesex University and a Master’s degree in Teaching & Learning at the Institute of Education. Before joining KAA, Ryan was Head of Boys PE at Phoenix Academy, an 11 – 19 school in Shepherds Bush, London. He joined KAA in August 2014 as Lead Teacher of PE. Since joining the academy he has founded a dynamic PE department, led Pankhurst as Head of House for 2 years, and been Director of Learning for Year 7. He was appointed Assistant Principal in February 2017 and promoted to Vice Principal in July 2019. In September 2024, Ryan was promoted to Senior Vice Principal.

Amy Gurnell – Vice Principal (Pastoral) / Designated Safeguarding Lead

Amy studied BA Drama at Queen Mary, University of London, prior to completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Goldsmiths, University of London. She joined KAA in 2016 as a Teacher of Drama and was promoted to Director of Learning for Year 7 in 2018. Amy developed the academy’s Year 6 transition process during two consecutive years as the Director of Learning for the incoming Year 7s. She was promoted to Assistant Principal (Pastoral) in July 2020 and took up the role in September 2020. Amy was promoted to Vice Principal in June 2024.

James Waller – Vice Principal (Teaching & Learning)

James completed a BSc in English at the University of Leicester before completing a PGCE at Sheffield Hallam University. Before joining KAA, James taught at Hungerhill School, an outstanding school in Doncaster, where he also held the role of Strategic Lead for Curriculum & Assessment. James joined KAA in 2016 as a Teacher of English and was promoted to Director of English in 2019. He was promoted to Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning) in April 2022. James was promoted to Vice Principal in June 2024.

Lisa Blount – Assistant Principal (Teacher Development)

Lisa completed an undergraduate degree in Geography at Nottingham University before studying her masters in Landscape and Culutre at the same university, and then a PGCE in Geography also at Nottingham. Before joining KAA, Lisa was Head of Geography and Director of Sixth Form at Chiswick School. Lisa joined KAA in September 2014 in the academy’s very first year as Head of Geography and created the KAA geography curriculum from scratch. She also took on the additional responsibility for the academy’s NQT programme (now ECT programme). Lisa’s development of the ECT programme has led to KAA’s reputation for success in the area of teacher development. Lisa was promoted to Assistant Principal – Teacher Development in May 2024 and took up the role in September 2024.

Rob Davies – Assistant Principal (Timetable)

Rob completed a BSc and Phd in Chemistry at Cardiff University, before securing a post-doctoral research positions at Cardiff Unviersity and then Imperial College London. After a decade in academia, Dr Davies completed a PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church and began a secondary teaching career. He joined KAA in 2017 as a Teacher of Science and was promoted to Head of Chemistry in 2019, and then Director of Learning for Year 13 in 2022. Rob was promoted to Assistant Principal – Timetable in May 2024 and took up the role in September 2024.

Ross Dunning – Assistant Principal (Data & Assessment)

Ross completed an undergraduate degree in Dance at Middlesex University before studying his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Exeter University. Before joining KAA, Ross was Head of Dance at Highlands School. Ross joined KAA in September 2016 as Lead Teacher of Dance and was promoted to Director of Performing & Creative Arts in June 2021. Ross was promoted to Assistant Principal – Data & Assessment in May 2023 and took up the role in September 2023.

Clare Kitteringham – Assistant Principal (Curriculum)

Clare completed an undergraduate degree in Archaelogy and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Before joining KAA, Clare worked in marketing and operations in the private sector. In 2014, Clare joined KAA as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) before completing her Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with Ark Teacher Training, with her placement at KAA. Clare was appointed as a full time Teacher of English following the completion of her QTS in 2016. In 2019 she was promoted to Second in Charge (2ic) of English, and then in 2022 she was appointed Director of English. Clare has delivered strong GCSE and A level results in the largest department in the academy. Clare was promoted to Assistant Principal – Curriculum in May 2024 and took up the role in September 2024.

Sophie Pedley – Assistant Principal (Timetable)

Sophie studied French and Politics at the University of Exeter before completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Birmingham City University. Sophie achieved a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Warwick. Prior to joining KAA, Sophie was a Teacher of French at The Mirus Academy. Sophie joined KAA in September 2015 as a Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages and was promoted to Head of Honeyball House in September 2016. Sophie was then Head of MFL from September 2018 to July 2023. Sophie was promoted to Assistant Principal – Curriculum & Timetable in May 2023 and took up the role in September 2023.

Jasmine Vines – Assistant Principal (Personal Development)

Jasmine studied Sports & Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham before completing a PGCE in Physical Education at St. Mary’s University. Jasmine joined KAA as a newly qualified Teacher of PE in 2015 when the school was in its second year of operation. In 2016, Jasmine took on the role of Head of Franklin House. She was promoted to Director of Learning for Year 7 in September 2017, and in this role Jasmine contributed to the development of the school’s secondary transition for new Year 7 students. Jasmine was promoted to Assistant Principal (Personal Development) in April 2022.

Adam Whitlock – Assistant Principal (Sixth Form)

Adam studied Theology at the London School of Theology, when it was academically affiliated with Brunel University, before completing his PGCE and master’s degree in Religious Education at Kings College London. Prior to joining KAA, Adam was a Teacher of RE, Head of Faculty and Senior Leader at a range of schools including The John Lyon School in Harrow, St Clement Danes School in Hertfordshire, The Chalfont’s Community College in Buckinghamshire and Ark Burlington Danes Academy in West London. Adam joined KAA as the Director of Learning for Year 12 in 2018 and was promoted to Assistant Principal (Sixth Form) in July 2020, taking up the role in September 2020.

Laurence Weeks – Finance Director

Appointed as Finance Director in January 2019, Laurence had previously spent 5 years as Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at Archbishop Tenison’s School in Lambeth. After completing a History degree Laurence qualified as a Chartered Accountant at BDO Binder Hamlyn in 1991. Before going into education he held a range of financial management positions in organisations including housing associations, the BBC, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and HM Treasury. Away from work Laurence was a voluntary board member of a major housing association for many years. He is a very keen cricketer and although now very much a veteran still plays occasionally. He was secretary of the Essex County Cricket League for 7 years. He is also interested in football, politics and reading novels.