Leadership Team

Clare Barber BA (Hons), PGCE, MA, CIPD

Executive Principal

Clare joined the Samworth Church Academy in February 2025, as Executive Principal, and brings a wealth of knowledge with more than 13 years’ experience as a senior leader in schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire; five as Principal at SNMAT's West Grantham Academy, where she led the school through its most recent Ofsted inspection. She is also a qualified English teacher and leadership coach. Clare previously worked in industry, across a wide range of businesses, including the BBC and McCann Erickson Advertising. She also spent 4 years living and teaching in Colombia, South America, before returning home to take up a position in a school closer to home.

Chris Vallance BA (Hons), PGCE

Strategic Director of Curriculum Vocation

Chris joined The Samworth Church Academy in September 2018. Having completed his PGCE at the University of Leicester in 2006, Chris worked as a teacher in Leicestershire before he secured a Head of Year post at a school in Chesterfield. He later went on to secure an Assistant Principal post before academy conversion. During his time at Outwood Academy Newbold, he held a role within Deep Experience. Chris and his team were responsible for aspects of Academy life such as the curriculum/timetable, careers, pledges and student voice. Chris very much likes to challenge himself through distance running and travelling. Chris believes that education can have a transformative effect on young people's lives, ensuring that every student can make the most of their ability. Through both his interests and his role within the academy, he wishes to broaden the horizons of all stakeholders.

Ian James BSc (Hons), PGCE

Strategic Director of Curriculum

Ian joined the Academy in July 2010 as Assistant Head Teacher of the Sherwood School. Ian has spent ten years teaching at the Garibaldi School in Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, eight of those years as the Head of Mathematics. Prior to this Ian worked at the Meden School as a Mathematics teacher.Ian graduated from Leeds University in 1992 with a degree in Mathematics and a year later studied for his PGCE teaching qualification at Nottingham University. Even at this early stage in his career Ian knew he wanted to work with young people in Mansfield.

Carl Bennett BSc (Hons) with QTS

Strategic Director of Student Wellbeing

Carl joined Sherwood Hall School as a teacher of Physical Education in September 2002, later being appointed as Head of Boys’ PE. He began work in the Academy as Director of Sport and then as Team Leader of PE before being appointed to the Senior Leadership Team in September 2016. Since graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with an honours degree in PE with Qualified Teacher Status in 2002, he has taught PE to students from Year 7 through to those studying GCSE and A level Physical Education. Carl is passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people and is driven by the belief that every child can succeed, regardless of background or ability.

Kaley Macis-Riley

Team Director of Curriculum

Immediately after graduating, Kaley taught English as a second language in Thailand for almost three years, she made her way into the UK education sector as a teaching assistant, becoming qualified as a teacher in 2014, then quickly promoted to an assistant head of department at a school in Lincolnshire. Since this, Kaley has been Head of English at two schools locally as well as holding whole-school responsibility for literacy. In the last two years, Kaley is proud to have authored two published books on educational matters, as well as regular blogs on her passion for Curriculum as a tool to ensure that every child regardless of where they came from can succeed. Kaley is incredibly proud to be working within a community she calls home, on the site she once atended as a student, and to be giving back after gaining so much from growing up.

Dan Preece

Team Director of Student Wellbeing

Dan joined The Samworth Church Academy in September 2013. Having completed his BA(hons) degree with QTS at Manchester Metropolitan University, Dan worked as a teacher of PE in a school in Leicestershire where he also secured a Head of Year post. Having been initially appointed as a teacher of PE at TSCA, he then secured the role of Curriculum Leader for PE and more recently as KS4 Recovery Lead, ensuring that Y11 students achieve the GCSE grades they deserve. Dan was appointed to the role of Team Director of Student Wellbeing from September 2022. The role of the Student Wellbeing team is to ensure that all students within the academy feel safe and supported not only in their studies but in the wider aspects of their education. Close and effective links with parents and carers are key to the work of the team, ensuring that together students reach their potential. He has a firm educational philosophy that teachers have the responsibility to inspire and motivate future generations to achieve - academically, professionally and personally through high quality leadership and support for all students within the academy as well as at home.

Scott Allott

Team Director of Student Outcomes

Scott joined the Academy in 2010 as a Teacher of Geography and later was appointed as Team Leader for Geography. He then left the Academy in 2017 becoming Head of Humanities at a school in South Yorkshire before returning to the Academy in 2019. In September 2021 he was appointed to KS3 Recovery Team Leader where he introduced a number of initiatives to help aid the recovery of students after lockdowns and help them catch up with their learning before being appointed to Team Director in September 2022. Scott has a passion for the world and educating the students about the world they live in and how to live a successful life. Scott wants to make a difference to all students that he has interactions with.

Laura Jones

Associate Team Director & Head of Sixth Form

Laura joined the Academy in 2010 following achieving her first-class honours degree and QTS from Sheffield Hallam University. Laura has progressed through teaching and Team Leader roles in Physical Education and Art, led on Academy wide PSHE and Wellbeing, before securing her current post as Head of Sixth Form in 2021. Laura thrives on a challenge and loves supporting her pupils to achieve the best pathways, both personally and academically, whilst securing their next steps in their journey beyond the Academy and on to 70 great years.

Adam Cave

Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Coordinator

Adam graduated from the University of Hull in 2007 with a degree in Education with ICT Specialism, following this he gained a conversion degree for Postgraduates in Psychology with the open University in 2011. After graduating from the university of Hull Adam began to work for Nottinghamshire Local Authority Pupil Referral Units as a Specialist Teaching Assistant for 6 years, working with a range of student needs. Adam joined the Academy in 2013 as a teaching assistant, cover supervisor and inclusion co-ordinator and then gained Qualified Teacher Status in 2016 and the National Qualification for SENCOs in 2019. Adam has always been passionate about supporting students with special educational needs and disablities.