LAB member profiles

I am so proud to serve the Whitehawk community, and feel very lucky to work with the wonderful City Academy Whitehawk children every day. I am always so impressed by how creative and hard working our students are. It is a real privilege to be part of such a fantastic, caring school, and to help support our inspirational teaching staff.

I have always loved teaching Maths, and am delighted to be involved with how we deliver it here at CAW. There is lots of great information about maths teaching at the NCETM website, and for anyone with a Times Table Rockstars login, you can challenge me to a 'Rockslam': my TTRS name is Rex Westie!

I lead on Behaviour and Attitudes. If any families have questions or concerns around behaviour, please do get in touch with me via the School Office, or come and say hello on the school gates before or after school. I also lead on our Personal Development offer, ensuring all children in the school achieve personal excellence and are ready for the next phase of their education.

I have been a teacher for over twenty years in Oxford, Reading, Brighton and Japan. As well as teaching, I love reading! My current favourite children's book is The Last Bear by Hannah Gold. I also enjoy building Lego and hanging out with my own children, and going running with our two dogs Socks and Blossom!

I am really pleased to be a member of the governing body of City Academy Whitehawk. I became involved in visiting the school through my work as a tutor at Brighton University supervising trainees wanting to be teachers. I have been coming into the school regularly since 2013 and have been so impressed with the ways in which the school has developed into the fantastic place it is today. The school is always so welcoming to everyone and so committed to the development of everyone that works and learns there.

I originally moved to Brighton as a student in the 70s and have worked in the area for most of the time since. I started as a teacher in London but moved back to Brighton as soon as I could and have worked in schools ever since, having been a head teacher in three primary schools. I gained a Masters Degree at Sussex University and have always loved being involved in education.

My two daughters were educated in Brighton primary and secondary schools and so I know what it is to be like on both sides of the desk, as a parent and a teacher. I believe I can contribute positively to the ongoing journey of City Academy as it strives to be not only good, but outstanding.

Laurie Fry is a semi retired businessman. He spent much of his career working abroad, mainly in Russia and eastern Europe. He has links with Brighton going back 40 years, although originally from south Wales. He is now involved in a number of educational projects, with a particular interest in languages and music. With two young granddaughters he has a personal interest in early years education.

I am delighted to be a LAB member at City Academy Whitehawk. I’m new to Brighton, having moved here with my daughter and husband in 2021, and it’s been wonderful to see the school providing a culture of excellence that children are thriving in.

Originally from near Manchester, I’ve spent the last decade leading national and international programmes to empower children and young people to achieve their potential. I’m currently the Director of Programmes at national charity Education and Employers, who connect schools with work-place role models helping inspire children to discover their future and be more motivated in their learning. I’ve also worked in international development at VSO and prior to that I spent a decade in the business world working as an accountant with large organisations such as EY and HSBC. Since moving here, I’ve joined the Brighton and Hove Women’s Running Club and am enjoying the outdoor lifestyle the city offers.

Graham Kennedy is currently an Assistant Head at Brighton College and Head of Lower School (year 7s and 8s). He has lived in Brighton with his wife Susie for the past 8 years and has two daughters, Ayla (6) and Annie (4). He is a maths teacher and is passionate about music, running, cycling and sea swimming

I have worked at City Academy Whitehawk for many years, too many to mention. I have had many roles within the school over the years but most recently worked in Year 6 as a teaching assistant (TA); on top of that, I was a midday supervisor.  I now help run the breakfast club on a daily basis. Working in breakfast club is great because I get to meet children from all across the school. One thing that particularly enjoyed when working as TA was covering in the absence of the class teacher because I got to see, first hand, all the amazing work that our children can accomplish!

I have worked in the field of Primary Education for over 40 years. I remain passionate about every child’s right to access a high quality and stimulating education in order to ensure they get the very best possible chances in life.  I have had a long, varied and satisfying career and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges I’ve met, and the variety of posts I’ve held, over the years.

I started my career as a teacher at what was then, Whitehawk Junior School. Following ten years at the school I went to Somerhill Junior School (now Brunswick Primary in Hove) as deputy head. I then moved to Middle Street Primary School as headteacher and had two further headships, one of which was as acting head in a school judged as requiring special measures.  I moved to West Sussex to work as an adviser to schools for the next ten years and then returned to headship at Hove Junior School in 2007.

Following my retirement in 2015 I have worked as an independent consultant with a range of schools across Brighton and Hove and East and West Sussex.

Having started my career at Whitehawk Junior School over 40 years ago I am thrilled to be involved, once again, with the school and community as chair of the Local Academy Board.

I am pleased to be joining the City Academy Whitehawk LAB as a parent LAB member. For over 15 years I have been teaching and working with children. Through that time I have been a youth worker, specialist maths teacher, deputy headmaster of a private prep school, and I now am based within a SEN school in Brighton, supporting students with multiple, profound and severe special needs. I have lived in Brighton with my Wife, Liv, for the last 10 years and have two daughters, Flo and Ottie. I enjoy time with my family as well as reading, running and cycling.