Meet our Senior Leaders (ID 1236)

• Rachael Lucas
  Headteacher
  Rachael Lucas

  Rachael Lucas - Headteacher

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of  Arts Honours Degree - Economic and Social History: University of Leeds
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education: Keele University
  • National Professional Qualification for Headship: Institute of Education, London

  Where I was born:

  Stoke-on-Trent

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I enjoyed achieving. I would always strive to do my very best in all of my  subjects. At GCSE, the subject I found the most challenging was actually the grade which gave me the most pride because I had to work really hard to achieve it.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I love that the Academy cares for all of our community. I love that we recognise everyone as individuals and celebrate successes. Â I love working with such amazing young people and staff every day.

• Ben Ward
  Deputy Headteacher: Quality of Education
  Ben Ward

  Ben Ward - Deputy Headteacher: Quality of Education

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree - Electronic Engineering (Solid State Devices): University of Sheffield
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education: University of Greenwich
  • Master's Degree in Education Leadership: University of Manchester
  • National Professional Qualification for Headship: Institute of Education, London

  Where I was born:

  Chelmsford, Essex

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  The thing I loved most about school was being able to learn about so many different things, to discover what interested me, and to discover what I was really good at. So, I got involved in everything I could, striving to be part of the school community and working hard to make the most of every opportunity I was lucky to have. Â

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I enjoy working at BSCA as it is a school that really cares, that wants the best for everyone who attends and goes over and above to help them achieve their potential.

• Lucy Farrell
  Deputy Headteacher: Pastoral
  Lucy Farrell

  Jason Whittaker - Deputy Headteacher: Pastoral

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree - Physical Education and Business Education: University of Brighton, Chelsea College of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dance.

  Where I was born:

  Bolton

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I have fond memories of the subjects that I enjoyed and the teachers who made a difference to me at a young age. My passion was always sport and PE, and I was fortunate enough to be in a school year group that excelled in sport. This together with PE teachers that committed so much time to developing others meant we had so much success locally and regionally. I still remember the football tours we went on to France and Holland. Other than my PE teacher, it was my Maths and Computer Studies teacher who believed in me the most. Both teachers became close colleagues when I later returned to the school I attended, as a PE teacher and Head of Year.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  Growing up in Little Lever means I am a proud Boltonian. Although I moved away to go to University, Bolton has always been home to me. Working at BSCA allows me to give back to the town I grew up in and I am thankful for. I love the journey we are on at BSCA. The biggest pleasing moment for me has been seeing our Year 11 class of 2022 securing the best results ever, and being able to say 'we are the biggest progressing school in Bolton in 2022'. What makes me even prouder, is to be part of a team of teachers and support staff saying collectively 'we don't stop here!'

• Gareth Watson
  Deputy Headteacher: Primary Phase Headteacher
  Gareth Watson

  Gareth Watson - Primary Phase Headteacher

  My qualifications:

  Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree - History with QTS: University of Lancaster

  Where I was born:

  Bolton

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  At school, the subjects I enjoyed the most were Sport, Latin and English Language.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I care passionately about the children and families in this area. Every day I know I can make a positive difference in the children's lives who attend our Academy.

• Heather Jones
  Assistant Headteacher: Quality of Education
  Heather Jones

  Heather Jones - Assistant Headteacher: Quality of Education

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree - English Literature with Theatre Studies: University of Warwick
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education: University of Warwick

  Where I was born:

  Manchester

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I enjoyed all the extra-curricular activities on offer that made me feel part of my school community. In particular, I loved being part of the sports teams (especially netball) where I trained and played in matches. The friends I made through playing sport at school are still some of my best friends as an adult.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I love that the fact that all the staff work with care, kindness and integrity for the students and for each other. As a school community, I think it is very special that we know what it means to be part of BSCA and that we celebrate our achievements with pride.

• David Williams
  Assistant Headteacher - Data & Reporting
  David Williams

  David Williams - Assistant Headteacher: Raising Standards

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree - Ancient History and Archaeology: University of Liverpool
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education - Secondary History: Liverpool Hope University
  • National Professional Qualification for Headship - Future Leaders: Ambition institute. Â

  Where I was born:

  Bolton Â

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I enjoyed the learning of a variety of subjects. I enjoyed sharing memories on school trips and taking part in extracurricular sporting activities. Success in school and to achieve is what drove me through my time at school. Â Â

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I enjoy working at BSCA as I grew up as part of the community it serves. I enjoy the promoting importance of education in developing and supporting the local communities of the school. Â

• Rachel Murphy
  Associate Assistant Headteacher
  Rachel Murphy

  Rachel Murphy - Associate Assistant Headteacher and Maths Lead

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Education Honours Degree - Mathematics: Manchester Metropolitan University
  • National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership

  Where I was born:

  Sutton Coldfield

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I loved most of the subjects at school my favourites were maths, science and geography. Â I always tried really hard to achieve my best. Â I have great memories of performing in the school productions, raising money for charity and completing the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I admire the dedication and care of all our staff. Â I love working with all the caring, resilient and hardworking students at our school. Â The best moments are when students overcome their difficulties and achieve their excellence.

• Rachael Robinson
  Associate Assistant Headteacher
  Rachael Robinson

  Rachael Robinson - Associate Assistant Headteacher and Humanities Lead

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree - Modern European Studies: Lancaster University
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education - History Teaching: Edge Hill University
  • Currently studying for a Master's Degree in Expert Teaching

  Where I was born:

  St Helens

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I really enjoyed playing a full part in all aspects of school life. I loved learning lots of different subjects especially history and languages. I also took part in many extracurricular sporting activities and I was on the school team for netball, hockey and volleyball. I also embraced every opportunity for school trips both in England and abroad.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I absolutely love being part of such a committed team of teachers who all bring their own skills and experience to further strengthen the high-quality experience that this school offers to its pupils. I love how focussed and engaged pupils are in lessons and how pupils really appreciate when teachers put time and efforts into securing better outcomes for their futures.

• Janine Watson
  Assistant Primary Phase Leader - Lead for Early Years and Key Stage 1, and Reception Purple Teacher
  Janine Watson

  Janine Watson - Primary Phase Deputy Headteacher

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree - English and Classics: University of Keele
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education: University of Manchester
  • Post Graduate Certificate of Education SEN: Manchester Metropolitan University

  Where I was born:

  Stockport, and I grew up in Bolton

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I enjoyed the experience of learning at school, especially English Literature and Classical Studies. I also represented the school team for swimming, which I loved as I was able to show I could achieve my excellence in a different area.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I have worked in this area for over twenty years, and every day I feel privileged to teach the children something new; whether it is reading, writing or maths, in order to help them be the very best they can be.

• Chris Hill
  Assistant Primary Phase Leader - Key Stage 2 and Safeguarding
  Chris Hill

  Christopher Hill - Primary Phase Deputy Headteacher

  My qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science - Key Stage 2 and 3 Education with ICT: Edge Hill University
  • National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership: Edge Hill University
  • Forest School Leader: Level 3

  Where I was born:

  Bolton

  What I enjoyed most about my own school experience:

  I enjoyed being able to learn a variety of languages including French, Spanish and Latin. I enjoyed meeting people from other schools who would become life-long friends. We went on lots of trips, including skiing in Italy, exploring northern Spain and weekend residentials in the UK.

  Why I love working at BSCA:

  I love that I have the opportunity to meet some amazing young children at the age of four, on their first day of school, and see them grow up to become successful young people collecting their GCSEs at the age of sixteen. I love being able to teach the subjects I am passionate about, and in the way that students learn best; from Forest School in Reception, Computing in Primary and Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Year 9, 10 and 11. I am honoured to contribute to the success of the students at BSCA in such a varied way.