Core Team
Principal
Nicci Cornfoot
Nicci
Nicci read Mathematics at the University of Leeds after which she pursued her career ambition to be a Mathematics teacher by completing a Fast Track PGCE course at Edge Hill University.
Nicci’s enthusiasm and commitment to educating the young people of Leeds, especially those who are less advantaged, has been a driving force in her career to date. She has been influential in improving educational outcomes throughout her leadership career at The Farnley Academy and The Ruth Gorse Academy. Before joining Leeds Teaching School Hub Nicci had been a member of the central team at The GORSE Academies Trust as a Partnership Director with specific responsibilities for Teaching, Learning and CPD.
Principal of The Morley Academy
Matthew Turton
Matthew Turton
Matthew is a graduate from the University of Liverpool where he studied Anatomy & Human Biology, subsequently taking a PGCE course at the University of Nottingham to become a Science teacher. Working across a range of schools in the East Midlands, Matthew held roles in middle and senior leadership before becoming a Director of Teaching School in the Executive Team of a large Catholic MAT where he oversaw initial teacher training, CPD and school-to-school support across the Diocese.
After this role, Matthew took on a Trust Director of Performance and Standards role, overseeing and improving disadvantaged student progress, and then onto Headship of a school in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire before relocating nearer to Leeds, and taking on the role of Principal at The Morley Academy. In all roles held, Matthew has championed the most disadvantaged students, and has been a driver of quality teaching and learning in harnessing sustained improvement.
Director of Leeds Teaching School Hub
Georgia Westerman
Georgia Westerman
Georgia graduated from Glasgow University where she read Classical Civilisation and Scottish Literature before completing her PGCE at Trinity University in Leeds. Teaching English has always been her passion and she has enjoyed 29 years in the classroom. Ensuring the very best outcomes for all, irrespective of background, has always characterised Georgia’s practice.
At Boston Spa School, later Boston Spa Academy, she pursued her passion for English as Head of English and Media Studies, before moving onto a number of leadership roles as Assistant Headteacher and Vice Principal, with responsibilities including teaching and learning and student outcomes. Most recently she has been a member of the Senior Leadership Team at The Morley Academy, where, as an Assistant Principal, she has led on ECT Induction, and reading and literacy.
Director of Leeds Teaching School Hub
David Atkinson
David Atkinson
Director of Leeds Teaching School Hub
David graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a degree in French and Business Studies before working for several years within the recruitment sector in London. He completed his PGCE at the University of Leeds and joined Boston Spa School in 2012 as a Teacher of Mathematics.
David has always been passionate about every student, regardless of background, realising their potential and achieving outstanding outcomes that can provide access to their chosen course, qualification, or career in the future. As Curriculum Leader, he led the department to year-on-year improvements in outcomes across both A level and GCSE, delivering Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Statistics results that ranked regularly amongst the best in the country. As an Assistant Principal, David’s responsibilities have included teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment, whole-school timetabling, and an oversight SCITT, ECT and previously NQT programmes.
