Members of the Leycroft Local Academy Council (LAC)
Patrick Jones -Headteacher
Paddy is delighted to be the Headteacher at Leycroft Academy and honoured to be able to serve our students and our community. Paddy has spent the last 17 years working in SEND provisions and has worked in three different special school provisions across Birmingham and Shropshire. Paddy began his journey in 2007 as a Teaching Assistant, and since then has held a number of management and senior leadership roles that have brought him to his current position as headteacher here at Leycroft.
Paddy has found his career to date incredibly enjoyable and he has been fortunate to work with some inspirational children, parents and colleagues along the way. Paddy believes passionately in the transformative power of education to change students’ lives and our society. Paddy will continue to strive to ensure that Leycroft students have the best possible opportunities and leave us with the knowledge and skills they need to lead happy and successful lives. Paddy’s own education has enabled him to achieve his goal of becoming a Headteacher. As a member of the Local Academy Council Paddy will ensure that we lead Leycroft Academy forward so that all of our students can achieve their full potential and leave us looking forward to an aspirational future.
Chair: Christopher Pullen (Trust Appointed)
Initially completing 12 years’ service in the British Army, Chris has gone on to build a wide and varied business career. This has included being Chief Executive of some large organisations and Chair of others. Chris is very much looking forward to sharing his experience and supporting the great work that the school does.
Jessica Brass (Staff Representative)
After growing up with two neurodivergent brothers, Jessica has witnessed how educational professionals had an incredible impact on their lives. Inspired by the amazing progression from her siblings, Jessica independently explored alternative communication techniques and fell into the colourful world of SEN teaching and is now in her third year of teaching SEN students. Jessica has a strong passion for supporting our young people in carving their own path in a world in need of transformation.
Jessica Hakin (Trust Appointed)
Jessica has worked with Leycroft Academy and a variety of other settings as a drama practitioner for Open Theatre, developing long-term connections and building relationships with children and staff through non-verbal physical theatre. She is passionate about promoting agency and creativity for autistic young people to allow them to become valued and empowered members of society. Her experience also includes leading projects and discussions around the topics of anti-racism, disability justice and intersectionality. Jessica looks forward to being a part of the LAC and using her creative background to influence positive change for staff and children at Leycroft Academy.