Welcome
Life at The Pingle Academy
Work Hard / Be Kind / Choose Wisely
Mr S Hall
Principal
“I was brought up in Preston in Lancashire with my 3 sisters and was fortunate to be able to study Sports Science and PE at Loughborough University. I have taught PE at two different schools and joined The Pingle Academy in 2005 as Head of PE. I became Acting Principal in September 2021. We have been on a remarkable journey at The Pingle Academy for a number of years and I am proud to have been able to work with so many amazing students and colleagues during this time. The opportunities and achievements that I have seen and been part of are truly inspiring and it goes to show what can be achieved when we all work hard, be kind and choose wisely!“
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Ms A Smith
Vice Principal
“I was born in Dundee but we moved to Birmingham when I was 2. My first degree is Applied Psychology and computing and I have a Masters in Educational leadership. I have also recently completed my NPQH. I’ve carried on my education because I believe in a life long love of learning and my goal is to foster that in others. I am excited at becoming part of the Pingle Academy as Vice Principal and look forward to getting to know the students and community over the coming years.“
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Mr P Harvey
Vice Principal
“My favourite subjects at school were Physical Education, Mathematics and Technology. Sport and PE have always played a large part in my life, both professionally and personally, whilst helping me to develop my confidence, leadership and interpersonal skills.“
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Mr J Done
Assistant Principal
“My name is James Done and I am acting Vice Principal. My role is to ensure that the curriculum studied by all our students is designed to meet their needs, leading to good progress and achievement. I support students to meet our high attendance standards - good attendance at the academy is one of the main factors in getting good results.“
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Mr S Waller
Assistant Principal
“I was born in Durban, South Africa and lived there until I was three. My parents immigrated to the UK and settled in Brighton on the south coast. South Africa remains a huge part of who I am and most of my family still live there. I spent a lot of time there as a child and have love returning whenever I can. After school I went to Sheffield University to do a geography degree. Easily some of the best years of my life! I loved every second. After university I travelled for a while and eventually lived in London for three years working for an African tour operator. Eventually it was time to settle down so I did my PGCE and settled in the midlands. I trained at Pingle all those years ago and was lucky enough to get my first job here as well. Pingle is unique and is without doubt a very special place - I have met some incredible people over the years and am inspired every day watching students fulfil their potential.“
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Mrs D Wilcox
Assistant Principal
“I grew up in Burton, so very local. I studied French and Hispanic Studies at the University of Birmingham and spent a year living abroad in Spain. I have a GCSE in Italian and a part of my degree is Portuguese. I love to travel and I have friends all over the world. I have been a teacher for over 20 years, including being a Languages and English teacher, a Head of Sixth Form and now an Assistant Principal. I love my job and I am so proud to work at The Pingle Academy. I am so proud of all of my students and I love to see them successful, happy and thriving.“
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Mr D Riley
Assistant Principal
“In my role as Assistant Principal I also oversee the behaviour and engagement of the students as well as leading on careers across the Academy. Before becoming a teacher, I had a number of jobs, including a valet, lifeguard, security and bar manager. I never realised I wanted to be a teacher until I actually became one!“
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Miss S Rea
Assistant Principal
“I was born in Burton-on-Trent, not far from The Pingle Academy and after a brief couple of years living in Melbourne, Australia my family moved back to South Derbyshire and I went to school at John Port in Etwall. I went to university in Swansea, Wales where I discovered on the open day that you could see the sea from the lecture hall and that had me hooked! I studied History there and loved every minute of it. I decided that I wanted to carry on talking about History all day long and I wanted to help people to see how amazing the subject is too. Being a History teacher seemed like the perfect fit and I did my PGCE at Nottingham University before being lucky enough to get a job at The Pingle Academy where I have been ever since.“
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