Senior Leadership Team and Academy Structure

Jon Richardson

PRINCIPAL

Mr Richardson is Principal at Leigh Academy Strood, he grew up in East Sussex before moving to Southampton to study at university. Mr Richardson completed an undergraduate degree in Sports Science, before progressing onto Canterbury Christ University to complete his PGCE. Mr Richardson has taught and led in many schools in both Kent and South East London in a variety of positions including Subject Leader of Physical Education, Assistant Principal and Senior Vice Principal prior to joining Leigh Academy Strood in April 2023. Mr Richardson has also completed a seconded post working for Kent County Council within their SEND and Inclusion team. In 2022, Mr Richardson completed his Masters in Education, completing a study on the impact that the Coronavirus-19 pandemic has had upon the teaching profession.

Chris Pleasant

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Mr Pleasant grew up in Medway and completed GCSE and A levels at a local school before studying Sociology at the University of Kent and a PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Mr Pleasant has since occupied a range of leadership roles in schools in Kent, including Head of Department for Social Sciences, Head of Sixth Form, International Baccalaureate coordinator and Assistant Headteacher before joining Leigh Academy Strood as Vice Principal (Head of Trafalgar) in April 2023.

In addition to his role within the school, Mr Pleasant has achieved Chartered Teacher Status with the Chartered College of Teaching and has worked with several associations such as ResearchED and PiXL to deliver talks on teaching and learning. Mr Pleasant’s responsibilities across the academy include curriculum intent and implementation as well as examination outcomes for Years 11 and 13.

Julie Lindsay

VICE PRINCIPAL AND HEAD OF VICTORY

Miss Lindsay is Vice Principal at Leigh Academy Strood, she grew up in Scotland and went to Strathclyde University in Glasgow. She completed her PGCE before moving to Kent for her first science teaching position. Throughout this time, she has taught across many Kent and Medway secondary schools, completing various roles from heading up a science faculty, to Assistant Principal of inclusions and teaching and learning to Vice Principal of behaviour, SEND and Safeguarding.

Miss Lindsay has completed her Masters in education, completing a study on improving boys’ achievement. She has also recently achieved the SENCo qualification, which will be a real asset in supporting her with her role throughout the academy.

Leanne Barlow

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Ms Barlow was born and raised in Manchester for 16 years until her Father’s job relocated the family to Northern Ireland. Here she completed her A-levels and went onto study her BA in History and English Literature at the University of Ulster. Following this she then completed her PGCE before again relocating to Medway for her first teacher of History position.

Ms Barlow has served a number of schools in Medway over the past 18 years and has vast experience in behaviour, attendance and pastoral care of young people. She joined Leigh Academy Strood 2 years ago as Assistant Principal and is currently responsible for KS4 Victory and safeguarding.

Gaby West

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mrs West was born in South Wales, but moved to Maidstone at 4 years old. She attended St Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone and completed her A levels in PE, Film Studies and ICT.

Mrs West attended Portsmouth University and secured a honours degree in Sport Science before completing her Graduate Teacher Programme at Canterbury Christchurch University, She then secured an NQT position at Mascalls Academy and during her time there progressed through the roles of Assistant Head of PE, Professional Mentor, Digital Coach, Instructional Coach and Head of PE and Health and Social Care. She has also completed and passed her NPQ in Senior Leadership.

Mrs West joined Leigh Academy Strood in January 2024 as Assistant Principal and is responsible for KS3 Victory College, whole school Attendance, Pupil Premium, Think Forward and Rewards.

Mrs Rebecca Howard

VICE PRINCIPAL AND HEAD OF HERCULES

Mrs Howard grew up in Medway and completed her GCSEs and A Levels at Rainham Mark Grammar School. She then went on to study French and Spanish at the University of Bristol, which included a year abroad studying in Paris and Granada, in Spain. Mrs Howard then completed her PGCE teacher training at Canterbury Christchurch University.

Mrs Howard has since worked in a range of secondary schools in Kent as a teacher of French and Spanish and Head of MFL. Prior to joining Leigh Academy Strood, she held the post of Assistant Headteacher at a school in Maidstone, with responsibility for teaching and learning, CPD and leading a pastoral team.

Mrs Howard joined Leigh Academy Strood as Vice Principal (Hercules College) in September 2025 with responsibility for teaching and learning, assessment and CPD.

Jamie Minshull

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mr Minshull is Assistant Principal at Leigh Academy Strood, he grew up in Rainham, Medway before moving to Leicester to study at university. Mr Minshull completed an undergraduate degree in Drama Studies, before completing a GTP to gain QTS.

Mr Minshull has previously held a variety of positions at another school in Kent, beginning as a Drama teacher, before leading the Performing Arts department. He developed as a skilled teacher, becoming a lead practitioner before becoming a senior leader. Mr Minshull also started HopShed Theatre group as an artistic director, a shedlink for the internationally recognised theatre company ‘Chicken Shed.’

Mr Minshull has joined Leigh Academy Strood as Assistant Principal (Hercules college) focusing on the quality of teaching and learning, and the development of trainee teachers across the academy.

Marsha Pryce

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mrs Pryce grew up in Mandeville, Jamaica where she studied at both Manchester High School and Mico University in Kingston before relocating to Canterbury Christ Church to pursue her teaching career.

Since 2007 Mrs Pryce has dedicated her career to fostering educational excellence, joining Leigh Academy Strood in 2016. Mrs Pryce has occupied a range of roles within the Academy including KS3 Lead in Maths, Lead Practitioner in Maths and the Middle Years Programme and Director of Learning for Maths.

Mrs Pryce is currently the Assistant Principal in Hercules college overseeing the structure for KS3 students and enhancing teaching and learning. Mrs Pryce is committed to driving academic excellence and personal development for all students.

Matt Piggott

VICE PRINCIPAL AND HEAD OF TRAFALGAR

Mr Piggott grew up in Essex completing his GCSEs at William De Ferrers Secondary School, followed by a Sports Science Level 3 qualification at South East Essex College prior to attending Canterbury Christchurch University to complete a degree in Sport and Exercise Science.

Mr Piggott completed his PGCE with Kent & Medway Training and went on to teach science in Basildon, Essex. During this time taking on additional roles as Head of Pastoral, before joining The Leigh Academy, Dartford as an Assistant Principal in charge of Behaviour and Attitudes in 2017.

Sav Fatania

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mr Fatania grew up in Stevenage, Hertfordshire and completed GCSEs and A-Levels at Barclays School, before relocating to the University of Brighton to study Physical Education with QTS.

Mr Fatania has since occupied a range of roles in schools since leaving University, including Pupil Premium Lead, Head of Year, Lead Teacher for Data, Faculty Leader for Physical Education and Associate Head Teacher for Behaviour and Attitudes.

Following a successful career as a Teacher of Physical Education at Academies in both Bournemouth and Maidstone, Mr Fatania joined Leigh Academy Strood in Easter 2023 as an Assistant Principal for Trafalgar college.

Mr Fatania’s responsibilities across the academy are Events, Parental Engagement, Key Stage 3 Data and Social Media

Mike Williams

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mr Williams was born and raised in Swansea, South Wales. He studied GCSE’s at Morriston Comprehensive and A-Levels in Physical Education, History, Politics and Sociology at Swansea College. Mr Williams attended The University of Greenwich and he completed a BSc (Hons) in Sport Science before completing a PGCE with the Dartford Training Group. Mr Williams has worked in three schools previously, Southlands Community Comprehensive, Longfield Academy and The Leigh Academy. He is a qualified senior leader holding the NPQ for Senior Leadership. Mr Williams has held many roles in education including Director of Learning and Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for behaviour.

He joined Leigh Academy Strood in June 2024 with responsibility for personal development.

Victoria Wrighton

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mrs Wrighton grew up in Medway completing her G.C.S.Es and A-Levels at Chatham Grammar School for Girls. Mrs Wrighton studied English Literature with Drama at the University of Greenwich and completed her P.G.D.E. at Canterbury Christchurch University.

Mrs Wrighton has had many roles whilst teaching including Faculty Leader of English, Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, and Deputy Principal for Behaviour and Culture. Whilst leading on teaching and learning, Mrs Wrighton completed the Teacher Educator course with the Ambition Institute and her Masters in Education focusing on curriculum.

Mrs Wrighton’s responsibility at the academy is Head of 6th Form.