Senior Leaders (ID 1242)

• Mr K Rafiq
  Executive Principal
  Mr K Rafiq

  Mr Rafiq dreamed of playing football, but his school careers adviser told him it was very unlikely to happen as there were no Asian footballers in the top league. Mr Rafiq instead decided to go to college and was the first from his family to attend and graduate from University.

  During a 20-year career in education, 14 as a senior leader, Mr Rafiq has gained a depth and breadth of leadership experience due to leading on a wide range of high-profile leadership roles in schools facing considerable challenges and disadvantage.

  Mr Rafiq has a proven track record of highly impactful school improvement and consistently demonstrating the ability to lead, motivate and inspire both staff and students alike - which has resulted in rapid, tangible, and sustained improvement in every school he has worked in.

  Mr Rafiq was appointed as Principal of Moor End Academy in April 2018, the school he attended as a teenager. During his time as Principal, he implemented a wide range of strategies which transformed behaviour and attitudes as well as learning and teaching resulting in the academy becoming oversubscribed and one of the highest performing schools nationally with a Progress 8 score of +0.78. In addition to this the academy were appointed by the DfE to become a lead ‘Behaviour Hub’ school in 2022 as well as successfully achieving ‘World Class’ accreditation in March 2021 becoming the first school in Kirklees to achieve this prestigious quality mark.

  Mr Rafiq was promoted to Executive Principal of Park Lane in February 2022 and now leads three schools providing the academy Principals with the support, challenge and strategic guidance required to maintain and improve progress to ensure all three academies always strive for excellence.

  Moor End academy in Huddersfield (April 2018)
  Park Lane academy in Halifax (February 2022)
  Waterhead academy in Oldham (January 2023

  As an educator Mr Rafiq is passionate about the belief that all individuals need to feel valued and encouraged and he has a deep-seated belief that all children deserve an excellent education regardless of what school they attend.

• Mr S Hillary
  Principal
  Mr S Hillary

  Stuart grew up in County Durham. Coming from a family who are passionate about sport, he aspired to pursue a professional career in sport. Upon leaving secondary school, Stuart undertook 5 A Levels at Sixth Form College, two of which were sport related. After successfully completing A Levels, he moved on to St Martins’ University College to pursue a BA Hons Degree that combined both sport and education. Combining his university degree whilst competing in semi-professional football and competing for the British Universities' swimming team was gruelling.

  In 2005 he took up a short-term post at a school in Sunderland as PE Teacher, quickly moving to a large 11-18 Community school in County Durham. In 2006 he took up a place on the DfE Fast Track Programme, and became Coordinator of Learning, implementing a number of strategies to support and link pastoral and learning aspects in Key Stage 3. In 2008, he took up a post in the same school as Raising Achievement Leader in Key Stage 4, establishing a number of strategies to raise achievement in key subject areas, gaining accreditation from the Teaching and Learning Academy.

  As an established classroom practitioner, he took up post as Head of PE in 2010, driving improvements across all aspects: A Level, GCSE and BTEC Sport. His achievements in this period led to his department receiving regional and national recognition as Pearson School Team of The Year, also allowing him the opportunity to work with Durham University in PGCE delivery and support for undergraduates.

  Following a move to West Yorkshire in January 2013, he was appointed as Curriculum Leader of PE, quickly recruiting and developing a team of talented teachers, implementing effective strategies and curriculum opportunities to raise the profile of the PE faculty with excellent outcomes. In late 2015, he was appointed as Director of Sport, working across the newly formed Trust, with a brief to support and develop PE across the primary phase, whilst leading the PE Faculty at MEA.

  In June 2016, he was appointed as Assistant Principal, leading on aspects of Teaching, Learning and Professional Development, then later assuming oversight of campus development, SMSC and attendance, supporting pastoral and developing student attitudes to learning. Stuart was appointed as Specialist Leader of Education, working for the Pennine Teaching Alliance, supporting schools across Yorkshire in a behaviour and attendance advisory role.

  In December 2020, Stuart joined Park Lane Academy as Head of School initially, becoming Principal in January 2023.

  Outside of school, Stuart enjoys participating in most sports, gym sessions, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

• Ms A Dubickas
  Vice Principal - Curriculum, Learning and Teaching
  Ms A Dubickas

  Anne grew up on a council estate in Scotland. After leaving school, Anne was unsure of what career path to follow. After working in admin roles, Anne took up a position as a research assistant at the University of Edinburgh in the Molecular Biology faculty. It was here Anne was able to study for her degree and graduated from Napier University with a Degree in Biology. It was during this time that Anne realised that teaching was the career she would love to do. Anne studied for her PGCE at Keele University and entered secondary teaching.

  Over a twenty two year career in education, twelve as a senior leader, Anne has gained a depth and breadth of knowledge and leadership experience due to leading on a wide range of areas in school including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, curriculum and teaching and learning. These have all been in schools that face substantial challenges and disadvantage.

  Anne was appointed as Vice Principal at Park Lane Academy in April 2023, leading on the quality of education. Anne is a passionate leader of high standards of teaching and learning, as this is what will make the biggest difference to the student's life chances - ensuring they have their passport to success.

• Mr G Major
  Assistant Principal - Behaviour and Attendance
  Mr G Major

  Graham has worked in the education sector for over 8 years. Graham is passionate about working with students in disadvantaged areas to support them in 'breaking the cycle' of deprivation through a holistic lens.

  In his early years of employment, Graham started off working in the inclusion team as a teaching assistant specialising in behaviour at an inner-city school in Leeds. Graham quickly developed a passion for pastoral responsibilities and was promoted to lead transition. Graham continued to work in Leeds for a further 5 years where he completed his QTS as a PE teacher and became a pastoral leader for Behaviour and Attitudes.

  Graham recently started working in Calderdale as a Headteacher of a small school for students who had special education needs. Graham then started his journey back into a mainstream setting at Park Lane Academy as the Assistant Principal for Behaviour and Attitudes. Graham is passionate about creating a culture of mutual respect where student thrive in education and then leave Park Lane Academy confident and well-rounded citizens.

• Mr M Akeel
  Assistant Principal - Data and Outcomes
  Mr M Akeel

  Mohammed Akeel have been working as a Middle Leader for many years and has a proven a strong track record of improving outcomes. Akeel joined Park Lane Academy in September 2023 as the Director of Science working across the three secondary Academies to drive a collaborative approach to curriculum development that will further improve the learning and teaching experience for all our students. Akeel’s new role involved working across the secondary phase, sharing best practice and establishing consistency and quality in aspects of the curriculum intent and implementation for the benefit of each academy.

  In April 2024, Mohammed was appointed as an Assistant Principal and his responsibilities are Data and Outcomes across the school and also give significant contribution to the leadership and success of our school. Akeel will also still continue to lead and drive up the standards of achievement and attainment in Science.

• Mrs J Turner
  Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & Leader of Wellbeing
  Mrs J Turner

  Justine joined Park Lane in April 2014 and has had various roles within the Academy such as Lead Officer for Attendance and Head of Year before becoming the DSL.

  Justine’s career started in Finance and working with HMRC and prior to this in Sales Management, however it was through volunteering as a primary school Chair of Governor's that her passion for education developed, believing that every child has the right to reach their full potential. 

  Being born, educated and living in Halifax, the vision and values of Park Lane Academy of maximising every child's potential, creating positive relationships underpinned by the core values of Respect, Ambition and Pride are what makes her proud to be part of the Leadership Team. Justine ensures the safety and well-being of all our students and works with other agencies outside of school.

• Ms S Le Pla
  Business Manager
  Ms S Le Pla

  Sarah joined South Pennine Academies in 2022 as Academy Business Manager for Park Lane Academy and Moor End Academy. She is excited to be working at Park Lane as the school continues on its ‘journey to good’.

  Sarah has always had a love for finance and started her career at the Halifax Bank as a cashier then moved on to be a mortgage advisor for Independent Financial Advisors.

  Sarah travelled for 12 months to South America and re-located to Hebden Bridge where she spent the next 10 years raising her two girls and working part time as a freelance financial advisor.

  Sarah decided she wanted a career change so in 2017 she joined the Education Sector as a Business Manager at a primary school in Halifax. It was here Sarah developed her skills and depth of knowledge in HR, GDPR, Premises and Compliance and completed the Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management.

• Mrs L Bradbury
  Assistant Principal - Academy Assessment Strategy
  Mrs L Bradbury

  Lynne joined Park Lane Academy in 2018 as an experienced leader of mathematics. After working as a Curriculum Leader of Mathematics, Lynne will join the Senior Leadership Team as the Assistant Principal in September 2024.