Senior Team
Ashid Ali
Role: Principal
Biography: I was privileged to lead a group of talented professionals on our successful bid to open the free school. I was appointed Principal since January 2014 and prior to that I have worked as Assistant Head Teacher at Forest Gate Community School for six years, bringing considerable leadership skills to the group. I have also served as a governor in two secondary schools and have worked closely with governors in my most recent place of work. I have been involved in a number of voluntary organisations working with young people in inner city areas. I have a passion for education and a sincere belief that every child can transform their lives through education. I bring extensive experience to the governing body including leading teams, managing projects and change, excellent understanding of finances having set and delivered positive budgets for the past six years. I have an excellent understanding of the Tower Hamlets community that we serve and good links with businesses and community organisations.
Bola Macarthy
Role: Vice Principal - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Biography: Becoming an English Teacher gave me the opportunity to inspire through reading and writing. I realised that while it is true that "there’s magic in the web of reading and writing" (Shakespeare’s Othello), my students could not fathom or begin to appreciate the liberation the written word provides due to their low literacy levels. This ignited the passion to become a SENDCO to find solutions through support and interventions in order to diminish the gap between non-SEN/D and SEND. I witnessed the impact of this last year, when one of my very low ability students who could not read in year 7, finished from University of Southampton with a First-Class Honours degree!
The latter part of my career has made me realise that as well as effective teaching, we need to be more conscious of the external factors that may hinder learning. What impact would an outstanding lesson have on a child if they were unsure of where their next meal was coming from, or they are dealing with bereavement? Or too scared to come out of their homes due to the fear of gangs and county line culture? Bullying? Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality of some of our learners and my role as a safeguarding lead has helped me to be an advocate for such students. I believe teaching children about risks they might face, and equipping them to manage those risks, will ultimately allow true education to operate in its fullest capacity within any school and especially at LEA. Having such an impact on the lives of our learners is real education!
Abdul Moquith
Role: Vice Principal
Biography: I have been teaching for over 20 years in various schools all around London and the last 10 years as a Senior Leader. I was educated and grew up in the East End when I was a teenager. Hence joining the LEA as Vice Principal is not only an exciting chapter of my life which I am looking forward to, but feels like I am coming back home!
Throughout my teaching career I have always believed that education is for all and no one should be disadvantaged because of their socio-economic background. Growing up in Whitechapel in the 70’s and 80’s was very difficult but I have to thank my teachers for motivating, inspiring, keeping me safe and challenging me to do my best at school, thus giving me the best life chances.
I want to play a pivotal role in making LEA a school we can all be proud of and firmly believe it is only a matter of time for this to be a reality if we all work together.
Ashraf Khan
Role: Vice Principal
Biography: I have 20 years of experience working in school settings including primary, secondary, independent, faith based, non-denominational, single sex, co-ed and free schools. I have worked as an Educational Consultant in School Improvement as well as running a small perfume business in London. My previous roles include working as a Curriculum Development Advisor for a MAT in Newham, Vice Principal in LEA and prior to that as an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) in Maths. Further, I am an accredited WRAP trainer from the Home Office and hold a Masters in Education as well as National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH). All of the above gives me a sound set of skills and experience to be in a position to support and challenge the Principal at a strategic level in order to help the Academy progress.
Warren Hinds
Role: Assistant Principal
Biography: I have over 20 years experience working both as a teacher and senior leader in schools both in the UK and overseas. Before migrating to the UK I worked in my homeland, Jamaica, and more recently I have also worked in an IB World College in China. My experience includes working as a Subject lead for Maths, Raising Achievement lead, Head of School and Leadership consultant. I am most proud of my impact working in two London inner city schools where I lead a Maths team that had a 20% increase in good Maths passes within a two year period. I was also a part of the leadership team that brought one of the schools out of an Inadequate Ofsted category within 18 months. My post graduate studies include a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. I believe in leading by example and my decision making process is based on doing what is best for the young people in my care.
Mohammed Abdullah
Role: School Business Manager
Biography: Mohammed is a highly experienced School Business Manager. He has extensive experience of working in school in the state sector and the independent sector. He holds the Diploma in School Management and has had extensive training on Data Protection, Compliance, HR, Premise, ICT. He has tremendous experience of Financial Management, Financial Controls, Audits and reporting to ESFA. Mohammed has worked in Tower Hamlets schools, and spends a lot of time with a range of voluntary organisations. He has an excellent understanding of the local community.