Danny Bullock is a serving Principal at an inner-city Leeds secondary academy. Starting as a Computer Science teacher, Danny worked his way into a pastoral leadership and quickly progressed into Senior Leadership for Inclusion. In the recent years, Danny held the position of Vice Principal for Quality of Education, Senior Vice Principal for Standards, and since May 2022, Principal.

Outside of the academy, Danny has completed the Teach First programme, is a Teaching Leaders Fellow, SSAT Leadership Fellow and has completed the NPQH (National Professional Qualification in Headship). Danny is a visiting fellow and assessor on the NPQ programmes and is currently delivering the NPQLBC. Danny has been invited to speak at a number of national and conferences on Inclusion, Data and Leadership for Teach First, SSAT and Keynote Educational.

Sam Pocock graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education, leading to QTS with placements at Roundhay, Royds, Carr Manor and Ermysted's Grammar School.

In 2010 Sam began his teaching career as a Newly Qualified Teacher at Leeds West Academy. Roles with responsibility included School Sports Coordinator for primary schools, Deputy head of Sixth Form, Director of Induction and Training, Trust-wide Assistant Principal (Training and Development), Vice Principal for the Quality of Education and now Senior Vice Principal. He also secured a Masters in Education and Professional Enquiry in 2017.

Sam has lectured at the University of Leeds and currently teaches GCSE PE at Leeds West Academy.

Emily is an experienced educator from a primary background, specifically EYFS. She has taken on leadership roles such as DSL, EYFS leader and Assistant Head. She has designed and delivered a wealth of evidenced-based training sessions for EXCEED SCITT and is a Visiting Fellow for the NPQEYL. Currently, she is the Head of Primary ITT for EXCEED SCITT, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the primary programme.

Emma is an experienced Senior Leader and Teacher Educator, from a Primary background and has taken on various leadership roles ranging from Assistant Headteacher,  to Head of Professional Learning for Exceed MAT and is currently Director of Exceed Teaching School Hub. Emma has designed and delivered a wealth of evidenced based teacher development programmes for teachers at various stages of their career and is a Visiting Fellow for the Early Career Teacher Programme and NPQLTD.

Matt is an experienced educator from a secondary background and currently works as a Senior Vice Principal in Inner City Leeds. With a background in PE teaching and Sports Partnership Development, he has taken on numerous roles from Faculty Leader of PE and Dance to Senior Leadership roles in a range of settings that have overseen Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. Matt has also worked closely with a range of national agencies, including QCA, in the development of the PE national curriculum. This work also underpinned his nationally acclaimed development work with The Sports College network and Youth Sports Trust in harnessing ‘Pathway’ curricula and utilising PE as a vehicle to raise attainment in English and Maths. Matt has also presented his innovative approaches to whole school leadership development on behalf of the Teacher Development Trust, The SSAT and is currently working closely with the Education Endowment Foundation piloting their Grassroots behaviour initiative.

Matt, a Visiting Fellow for the NPQSL, is absolutely delighted to be working with Ambition and excited to be working with up-and-coming senior leaders of the future as they commence and develop their careers. 

Jo has been a teacher for nearly 23 years. In that time, she has taught in a wide variety of schools across Yorkshire and the Caribbean. She has always had a passion for English, being Literacy Lead at her first school, working with the Leeds 0-11 Learning Improvement Team on school improvement, moderating writing at KS2 and being accredited as an LLE for her work supporting schools across Bradford.

Jo has been the Headteacher at Burley and Woodhead CE Primary School since September 2015. In 2018, she was successful in the school’s bid to the DfE to establish the Burley Woodhead English Hub and has successfully led it ever since. Since setting up the Hub, Jo has built the team and is now strategic lead, ensuring that our team maintain the highest standards by keeping abreast of the latest evidence based information and working with the DfE to revise phonics programmes and develop early language support.  Jo is keen to share her passion for English as part of her work as a Visiting Fellow on the NPQLL programme.

Leanne has seventeen years of teaching experience in Bradford primary schools. Leanne has held a range of leadership roles including, phase leader, SENDCo, Assistant Head Teacher and currently holds the role of Deputy Head Teacher. She has led Early Years and Key Stage 1 across three different schools for over ten years and previously worked as an Early Year moderator for the Local Authority for over five years. Within her leadership roles, Leanne has also led a range of subjects, including Early Reading and Phonics. She is currently an ECT Induction Tutor and DDSL.

Leanne firmly believes that in order to bring about improved outcomes for our children, continued professional development should be an integral part of daily practice for all teachers and school leaders. She holds the NPQSL qualification and is currently completing her NPQH. She is a Visiting Fellow and is currently delivering the NPQEYL to aspiring Early Years leaders in Bradford and beyond. 

Lucy is an experienced Early Years Leader and teacher who has worked in the EYFS for 10 years. She holds an NPQSL: National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. Lucy has worked as a tutor on the EYFS SCITT, supporting teachers new to the profession to develop their skills and expertise and has held a role as an SLE for Early Years for over 4 years, working with a number of schools to develop and enhance their EYFS provision. She is now a Visiting Fellow for the NPQEYL.

Martha is an experienced Senior Leader and Teacher Educator, from a Secondary background and has taken on various leadership roles ranging from Advanced Skills Teacher, SLE, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and is now Headteacher of Skipton Girls' High School.   Martha has worked in a range of secondary contexts including inner city Bradford, with a particular focus and interest in Quality of Education, Professional Development and all things Research driven. Martha is a Visiting Fellow for NPQSL.

Rachel has taught in Bradford primary schools for 19 years in a variety of roles including Assistant Head and Early Years SLE.  Rachel currently works as Primary Course Leader for Bradford Birth to 19 teacher training programme which includes designing and leading the trainee curriculum.  She has worked as a Literacy Specialist for the Burley Woodhead English Hub since 2019, working with colleagues across Bradford and North Yorkshire to deliver sustained improvements and outcomes for children in Early Reading.  Rachel is a visiting fellow for the NPQLL.

Kirsty is an experienced Head Teacher working for Exceed Academies Trust. She is currently an Executive Head Teacher leading 2 primary school within the trust.  Kirsty has a wealth of primary school experience having carried out a number of roles including Early Years Lead and SENDCo for many years.

Kirsty has supported schools who have been put into special measures by Ofsted to help them action plan and begin their journey of rapid improve to become at least good. She is an experienced visiting fellow tutoring on the NPQLT and Early Career Teacher programmes.

Siobhan is an experienced Senior Leader and Teacher, from a Primary background. She has successfully carried out a number of leadership roles in Bradford’s inner city and is currently Head of School at Baildon Glen Primary School.

Siobhan has delivered a wealth of evidence-based training with teachers and school leaders at varying stages of their career and is a visiting fellow for the NPQLTD.

Luke is a secondary headteacher with broad experience in all areas of school leadership and improvement. Current areas of interest are curriculum and finance. Luke has completed the NPQEL and is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching with Chartered Teacher (Leadership) status. Luke is a Visiting Fellow for the NPQH programme.

Salma is an experienced senior leader, from a primary background and has taken on various leadership roles ranging from Executive Headteacher, Headteacher and Local Leader of Education. Salma has experience of designing and leading on evidence-based projects, focused on school improvement and leadership development.  In her Visiting Fellow role, Salma is leading on the NPQSL programme, supporting school leaders who are, or are aspiring to become a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities.  

Andrew teaches in a primary setting and works as the research lead for Exceed Academies Trust, disseminating and implementing education research in schools across the area. Andrew is passionate about high quality teacher education which has a lasting impact of teachers and their pedagogy.  He has designed and delivered a wealth of evidence-based teacher development programmes for teachers and school leaders. These have included developing provision for more able pupils; working scientifically skills; modelling; curriculum design and developing metacognition. Andrew currently teaches in Reception and is a Visiting Fellow for the NPQ-LTD.  

Laura is a senior leader with significant experience in primary education and Initial Teacher Education (ITE). She is committed to helping leaders and teachers to raise standards and to develop future leaders in the teaching profession. Her work is grounded in evidence-informed practices that focus on accelerating pupil progress and improving educational outcomes.  

Currently, Laura supports school leaders nationally to enhance pupil progress and the overall quality of education through developing and implementing whole school improvement strategies. She has also designed materials for the Early Career Framework for national providers and is experienced in delivering national training programs for Early Career Teachers and their Mentors.

As an experienced NPQ facilitator, Laura specialises in the NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) and the NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).