Senior Leadership Team

Co-Headteacher: Mr E Mayell

Mr Mayell studied at the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Post Graduate Certificate of Education; as part of his degree, he completed his dissertation on Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama at The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon. Mr Mayell taught English at schools in the West Midlands and Manchester before joining the leadership team at Droylsden Academy and is also a senior examiner for GCSE English Language.

Co-Headteacher: Mrs G Arnold

Mrs Arnold gained a BA HONS in Management at UCLAN before moving on to studying for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education at Sheffield University, leading onto a Masters Diploma in Education Leadership at Edge Hill University. She has experience working in prisons with prisoners and their families across the North West. She has since held pastoral senior leadership positions in schools across the North West and won the DATA Design and Technology Teacher of the Year in 2011. Mrs Arnold is on the National Future Leaders programme cohort 2012, and has facilitated programmes for the National College, Future Leaders, NPQSL and NPQML. She has also been involved in the change of the national strategy for the British Nutrition Foundation, Schools Food Trust, sits on the Management Committee for Manchester Pupil Services and has worked on Department of Education round tables, influencing and shaping national policy. Mrs Arnold is also the Tame River Education Trust lead for Safeguarding, Attendance, Behaviour and Attitudes.

Deputy Headteacher: Standards in Curriculum Intent, Impact and Achievement, Educational Recovery, Timetable and Pupil Premium:  Ms A Wood

Ms Wood completed A-Levels in Maths, Law and History before achieving a BA(Hons) in Sport and Leisure Management at Staffordshire University. Following this she completed a PGCE in Physical Education at Liverpool John Moores University. Since then she has had a successful career leading the Sport and Healthy Lifestyles faculty at Droylsden Academy before moving into her current role of teaching Mathematics. During this time she has also completed the National Professional Qualification of Senior Leaders (NPQSL) and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team leading on Raising Attainment (including Pupil Premium), Curriculum and Timetable.

Deputy Headteacher: Standards in Pastoral Care, Character, Life Skills, Discipline, Co-Curricular and Community: Miss J Woodyer

Assistant Headteacher: Head of Key Stage 4, Standards in Science, Computer Science, ICT, Psychology, Business Studies and MFL, Strategic ICT Lead: Mr T Evans

Mr Evans read Animal Science at Canterbury Christ Church University before completing a Post Graduate Certificate of Education. He started his career in Kent, holding several Teaching and Learning leadership roles before becoming Assistant Headteacher: Director of Science in Whitstable. Since 2017 he has supported the Deputy Headteacher in leading Teaching and Learning. He was appointed as Head of Key Stage 4 in 2023 and now cares for the pastoral and academic wellbeing of our GCSE students. He lives with his wife who works for the Cabinet Office in the Resilience Directorate and is a publishing Academic. 

Assistant Headteacher: Standards in Mathematics and Numeracy and Head of Key Stage 3: Ms M Shakoor

Ms Shakoor studied a BA Maths Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. Since 2006 she has taught mathematics with the majority of that time spent at Levenshulme High School for Girls in Manchester. She held a variety of positions at the school, with the last 9 years spent  successfully leading the maths faculty.  She has an active interest in the delivery of the maths curriculum and has been proactive in working with the NCTEM Hubs and partnership schools.  She completed the Associate Senior leadership training in 2020 and the NPQSL in 2021. She lives with her husband and two young children.

Curriculum Leader  – Director of Special Educational Needs and Learning Support, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator – Ms A Sherlock

Ms Sherlock completed her degree at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds obtaining a BPA.(Hons) with distinction. She then completed her PGCE at Liverpool John Moores in Physical Education with Dance. Ms Sherlock has served at Droylsden Academy and it’s predecessor school for 18 years. Ms Sherlock achieved her PGCERT in Special Educational Needs (SENCO Award) at Edge Hill University in 2017.

Associate Assistant Headteacher – Curriculum Leader – English: Mrs R Fernandez-Arias

Mrs Fernández read Drama at the University of Manchester and gained a first-class BA honours degree before completing a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. She is currently completing a NPQSL and, as well as being curriculum leader for English, she is a senior leader for teaching and learning in the Academy. In addition, Mrs Fernández is an Instructional Coach and Facilitator for the TRET’s Highly Effective Teacher Programme.

Associate Assistant Headteacher – Curriculum Leader – Sports and Performing Arts: Mr M Eade

Mr Eade has worked at the Academy since 2012 as Curriculum Leader for Sport and Performing Arts. In addition to this he has worked in the development of teaching and learning within the Academy as a facilitator for the Highly Effective Teacher programme, and in the development of school leaders across East Manchester as a Facilitator for the National Professional Qualification in Leading teaching.