The Staff

Mrs Cramlington - Principal

I am Mrs Cramlington and I am the Principal for Leigh Academy Rainham. I am incredibly passionate about Biology, my Cambridge degree is in Natural Sciences, and continuing my own education with a desire to better understand the psychology of how we all learn. I also love amateur dramatics, theatre, chocolate and art! I grew up in the local town of Rainham attending both primary and secondary school here and have fond memories of visiting Rainham library and Cozenton Park as a child.

An interesting fact about me is that I grew up in Hong Kong and spent nearly 4 years there as a child experiencing my ‘5 minutes of fame’ on Chinese television, taking part in two children's shows called ‘Noodles’ and ‘Boomerang’! I have loved travelling ever since and been fortunate enough to explore many countries around the world; Laos, India, Nepal, Kenya, Australia and Costa Rica to name just a few. I am very proud to lead Leigh Academy Rainham with the support from our wonderful dog mentor, Brandy.

Senior Leadership Team: Turing College

Mr Blinkhorn - Vice Principal & Head of Turing College

Hello Year 7, I am Mr Blinkhorn and I am the Vice Principal at Leigh Academy Rainham. I absolutely adore my subject of Mathematics, the way it can explain the world around us, predict the future and is applied by all of us every day. One of my favourite Mathematicians is Florence Nightingale, she was a remarkable statistician and used this in her nursing. I am greatly looking forward to meeting you all and providing you with lots of extra-curricular enrichment.

I attended the University of Chichester and the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Studying in Canada was a fantastic experience, especially being able to ski from lesson to lesson and take part in an ice hockey game.

I’m a big fan of board games, computers, reading and the arts. I particularly enjoy rugby, cricket and skiing but I’m a fan of most sports. A fact about me is that I am currently learning Italian so I am better able to communicate with people when I’m on ski trips.

Mrs Mackie- Assistant Principal & Deputy Head of Turing College, KS4

Hello Year 7! I’m thrilled to be starting this exciting new chapter with you as part of your journey through secondary school. I am Mrs Mackie, one of the Assistant Principal's for Turing College and have responsibility for whole school attendance.

I studied Fine Art at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, and ever since I was 12 years old, I’ve known I wanted to be a teacher—so I feel incredibly lucky to be paid to do what I love every day.

When I’m not in the classroom, you'll probably find me exploring the countryside on long walks, lost in a book—usually two or three at once! or find me dancing salsa (which makes me feel truly alive). I hope to get to dance in a Cuban salsa club one day.

Mrs Pozzetti- Assistant Principal & Assistant Head of Turing College, KS3

Welcome Year 7!

My name is Mrs Pozzetti, and I am one of the Assistant Principals here at Turing College.

I studied English Literature at university, which meant I spent most of my time reading—my idea of heaven! I’ve had my head in a book from an early age, and now love to share my passion for literature with my students. I have too many favourite books and authors to name, but I especially enjoy the mysteries of Daphne Du Maurier and classics like Wuthering Heights.

I am passionate about helping every student succeed, no matter your background or the challenges you may face. Before joining Leigh Academy Rainham, I was a trained SENCO, and supporting students with additional needs remains close to my heart.

Outside of school, I enjoy cooking—a big part of my Italian heritage—taking my dog Winnie on long countryside walks, maintaining my Duolingo streak, and spending quality time with my family.

I’m really looking forward to meeting you all and getting to know you this year!

Miss Bashford- Assistant Principal & Assistant Head of Turing College, KS3

Hello and a very warm welcome to all our new Year 7 students and their families joining Leigh Academy Rainham. I am Miss Bashford and I am one of the Assistant Principals in Turing College.

My passion for understanding how things affect the body and a love of science led me to study Pharmacology a subject that, despite its name, is not about animals, but about how drugs interact with the human body. During my time at university, I became increasingly curious not just about science itself, but about how we learn it. I soon realised that I wanted to inspire the next generation of scientists and help make science meaningful and accessible to young people.

This led to a new passion, exploring how students learn best and finding ways to bring science to life in the classroom. Over time, my roles within schools have evolved, and I am now thrilled to be in a position where I can support both our students and their families as they begin their journey with us at LAR.

Outside of school, I enjoy skiing and travelling, experiencing new places and cultures. I look forward to meeting you all soon and supporting you as you settle into life at Leigh Academy Rainham.

Senior Leadership Team: Kingsley College

Mr Silvester - Vice Principal & Head of Kingsley College

I am Mr Silvester and I am Vice Principal at Leigh Academy Rainham. I am a passionate Historian and enjoy teaching about how past events have helped to shape the world in which we live today. I am also an extremely passionate teacher who loves to see students aspire to do as well as they possibly can in all that they do. I have a love of sport and have a keen interest in cycling and thoroughly enjoy exploring the Kent countryside on my bike in my spare time. I am a big fan of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books and films and one day would love to visit New Zealand to see where the films were made. I imagine the scenery will be amazing!

Mr Smith - Assistant Principal (Deputy Head of Kingsley College, KS4)

Hello Year 7. My name is Mr Smith and I am one of the Assistant Principal's at LAR who has also had oversight of your transition to secondary school over the coming months!

I have a strong passion for teaching all the Humanities subjects, particularly History-which I studied for my degree. History is a fascinating discipline in which it greatly develops your inquisitiveness as to why something happened and in some cases-repeats as well.

I am a keen traveller and love to explore and interact with the different cultures, sites and people the world has to offer. Some of my favourite destinations have included: Dubai, Rome, Brazil and Miami. Furthermore over the summer I will be visiting Austria.

I am also an avid football fan and have supported Tottenham Hotspur all my life. I am very excited at the prospect of delivering and teaching you all a rich and diverse History curriculum that will ensure you do your best today for a better tomorrow.

I look forward to seeing you all in September.

Dr Facey - Assistant Principal (Assistant Head of Kingsley College, KS3)

Hello and welcome!

I am Dr. Facey, and as the Assistant Principal in Kingsley College responsible for Years 7 and 8, I am passionate about guiding you through this remarkable new chapter in your educational journey.

As a self-proclaimed nerd, I wholeheartedly embrace the joys of studying. My qualifications include a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management and a Doctorate, which focused on research with aspiring secondary school female headteachers across England and Wales. My love for reading is matched only by my overwhelming fascination with different languages, which I believe opens doors to new cultures and perspectives.

Having grown up in Jamaica, I have developed a sentimental attachment to the sea and sunshine. My upbringing has shaped who I am, instilling in me a love for diversity and a belief in the strength that comes from understanding different worlds. As you make this transition, I am excited to support your growth, curiosity, and resilience. I encourage you to embrace every moment of this transition, as it marks the beginning of your exciting adventure in secondary school.

Here’s to a fabulous Year 7 ahead!

Senior Leadership Team: Angelou College

Mrs Holmes - Vice Principal & Head of Angelou College

I am Mrs Holmes and I am Vice Principal and the Head of Angelou College. I am very passionate about my subject and my First Class degree in English Literature and Film means I have a real appreciation for the way that stories are told. I hope to inspire children all to tell their stories as creatively as possible and show them how reading stories can show us so much about the world we live in. My current classes would say that I like to make them laugh and I get really excited when we are talking about Shakespearean tragedies or Victorian fiction (my favourites).

Before I became a teacher, I worked in London for 15 years as a Director of an international business and so I love talking about careers and future aspirations with my students.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading books, watching films and travelling as much as I can. I have been learning Spanish for the past year in preparation for my next trip to Mexico. An interesting fact about me is that in the 1990s - I was almost a famous pop star!

Mr A Collins - Assistant Principal & Deputy Head of Angelou College, KS4

I'm Mr. 'Music' Collins, and I'm the Assistant Principal of Angelou College. Now, that might sound like I spend all my time in meetings, but trust me, there's a lot more to me than just paperwork!

As you may have worked out from the name I teach music here at the school. I play a bunch of instruments, but my favourites are the piano and the saxophone. When I'm not here at school, you might find me playing piano with a local big band. We play all sorts of cool stuff, from jazzy tunes to modern pop songs – it's a lot of fun!

Before I became a music teacher, I actually used to be a PE teacher, so you know I love my sports! You'll often find me playing cricket, tennis, golf, or skiing. I'm pretty much glued to the TV when there's any sport on, but my absolute passion and number one love is the mighty Arsenal! Up the Gunners!

So, whether you want to chat about music, sports, or just say hello, feel free to come and find me. I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you this year!

Mr J Collins - Assistant Principal & Assistant Head of Angelou College, KS3

Hello Year 7! My name is Mr. Collins, I am one of the Assistant Principals of Angelou and I’m really excited to welcome you to the start of your journey here. I teach Computing, a subject I’m incredibly passionate about – I love exploring how technology shapes our world and helping students become confident digital creators. In my spare time, I’m actually developing my own video game, and I also have a deep love for music, film, and animation – in fact, I used to work as an animator! I can’t wait to share that creative energy with you this year.

Support Staff: SEND and Safeguarding Officer

Mrs Loveridge - SENCO

I am Ms Loveridge and I am the SENCO for Leigh Academy Rainham. I began my working career as a City banker. I only decided to go to University when I was much older. I graduated from the University of Greenwich with a BA (HONS) in Education Studies. I spent over 17 years working in the same primary school before moving to secondary education. It was there I became a Qualified Teacher. Since then, I have worked in three other Leigh Academies Trust schools before joining this school.

An interesting fact about me is that I had my ear bitten by a horse when I was 8 years old. Fortunately, they were able to reattach it successfully and I now have supersonic hearing! I love travelling and I have been fortunate enough to visit many countries around the world; Hong Kong, Dubai, Australia, USA, Canada, Cyprus and Spain to name just a few. I am very proud to be part of the staff at Leigh Academy Rainham and I look forward to welcoming you all to our school.

Mrs Billingham - Safeguarding Officer and DSL

Hello year 7's I am Mrs Billingham, The Safeguarding Officer, DSL and one of the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) here at LAR.

My role is to promote first-rate pastoral care for all our students. l work supporting the well-being of the students across all of our three college communities as well as being a point of contact for parents/Carers. My passion is working with young adults and supporting them to reach their full potential.

When I am not in the academy I love being outside, spending time with my own family and most of all I enjoy traveling and have been to a list of amazing places, New Zealand is my all time best place to have been lucky enough to explore.

I can't wait to meet you all and support your transition into the academy.

College Student Services Managers:

Miss Cunningham - Turing Student Services Manager

Hello Year 7 and Welcome to Leigh Academy Rainham. My name is Miss Cunningham and I am one of the Students Services Manger's for Turing College. Before I moved to Kent I studied at Brighton Metropolitan University and I have a Bachelor Arts degree in Theatre Hair and Media Makeup. I enioy spending time with friends and family and I like to travel abroad when I can.

I previously worked in the Main Office last term and looking forward to starting my new role in September with you all. I'm extremely looking forward to helping you all thrive and succeed within the Academy and your education here at LAR. I look forward to meeting you all in September and working with you.

Miss Joslin-Wood - Turing Student Services Manager

Hi Year 7 and welcome to Leigh Academy Rainham. My name is Ms Joslin-wood and I am one of the Student Services Managers for Turing College,I am also an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant within the academy.

My career started as a professional dancer where I trained with Ballet Rambert which led to my short lived life performing on London’s West End stages. Before my journey started with LAR i worked within the NHS in various fields for 2 decades treating and looking after adults and young people.

Although my role her at LAR is varied I thrive on watching the students' journey develop through their time here and I feel privileged to be part of this. Being a mum of four older children I feel I am able to listen well to the students, which enables me to support and encourage the students to become the very best version of themselves.

When I am not in the academy I enjoy spending time with my family going to the theatre and music concerts. Wishing you a wonderful Summer and I am looking forward to meeting you in September.

Mrs White - Kingsley Student Services Manager

Hello my name is Mrs White and I am one of the Student Services Manager for Kingsley College, where I’m dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and development of every student. With a year of experience at Leigh Academy and a strong background in student support, I bring both professional insight and a deep personal understanding to my role.

As a mum of four, I’ve gained invaluable experience in empathy, patience, and communication—skills that translate directly into my work with students. I understand the pressures young people face and take pride in being a trusted, approachable presence in their school life.

Before working in education, I spent several years in property development alongside my husband, who is a builder. During this time, I also volunteered at local primary schools, helping children with reading, classroom activities, and emotional support. This hands-on experience is what sparked my passion for working with young people and set me on the path to my current career.

In my free time, I love walking my dogs and spending time with my family. I believe that every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable of achieving their best—and I’m proud to be part of that journey.

Mrs Rohmat - Kingsley Student Services Manager

My name is Mrs Rohmat and I am one of the Student Services Manager for Kingsley College. I love working with students and helping to make sure that they feel supported at school and feel like their voices are heard. I went to University in Chichester where I studied undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Theatre and Education. Since finishing my degrees I have grown very interested in equality and diversity in education and making sure everyone is able to achieve to the highest of their abilities, no matter what barriers they might face. Before working at Leigh Academy Rainham I used to be a teacher, I have taught theatre, dance, singing and professional and personal development.

I have been a volunteer with a local charity theatre group for 10 years, and before that I was a cast member for 7 years because I love musical theatre! Other interests of mine include reading, watching films (especially Superhero films) and TV shows and spending time with my family. An interesting fact about me is that I live in a tiny house! Instead of buying a house, my husband and I converted a garage into a little flat which is where we now live with our daughter.

Miss Falconer- Angelou Student Services Manager

Hi everyone, I am Miss Falconer, I am one of the Student Service Manager's based in Angelou College. Before joining Leigh Academy Rainham, I worked in Health and Social Care supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities and other complex needs.I worked in this field for 12 years.

I decided to change fields so I could support in developing and moulding lives, for each student to be able to achieve the best they can. At times students may need an ear to listen to them, support them process their feelings and understand different perspectives and ways for thinking- that is partly why I am here.

My hobbies and interests are; spending time with my daughter, Korfball, reading crime novels and socialising

I look forward to meeting you all.

Mrs Healy- Angelou Student Services Manager

Hello Year 7! My name is Mrs Healy and I’m proud to be one of your Student Service Managers for Angelou College. I have worked at Leigh Academy for two years.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you to navigate all that senior school may bring. The door is always open in the Angelou Office and you can ask us anything - we’re always here for you with a friendly face and a warm welcome.

Before working in education I worked in London for 13 years in the insurance industry. After having a family I went back to school myself - working in both primary and secondary schools in a variety of roles from lunch supervisor to receptionist and now student services.

I have two grown up sons and love food, cooking, travelling and spending time with my husband and family and my pug, Steve.

Welcome to Leigh Academy. Your exciting journey starts here. I’m excited to be part of it.

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