Matt Barratt 

Senior Vice Principal 

Matt gained a BSc Honours Degree in Sports Science from the University of Chester before moving to Newcastle to complete a PGCE in Physical Education.

He began his career as PE teacher in Kirklees, becoming the schools enrichment co-ordinator where he successfully launched the Duke of Edinburgh programme alongside running the schools inaugural Rugby Union Teams within the county and beyond into Europe.

He then moved into the Sports College network, initially as School Sports Co-Ordinator at Oakbank School, Keighley and then onto Assistant Partnership Development Manager at St Mary, Menston where he worked across 2 secondary schools (Guiseley and Prince Henrys Grammar School, Otley) and their associated feeder schools to develop the quality and provision of PE and school sport. Here he also taught the A Level PE course to the Leeds North West Partnership of Schools.

Matt continued his career within Sports Colleges, becoming the Head of the PE Faculty at Hipperholme and Lightcliffe, Halifax. In this role Matt became heavily involved in developing the National Curriculum for Physical Education through his research with QCA and achieved national recognition and awards for his ground breaking ‘Pathway’ curriculum and the use of PE and Sport to raise achievement in English.

Prior to commencing his role as Senior Vice Principal, Matt had moved to become Deputy Headteacher at Parkside School, Cullingworth. Here he had responsibility for the Quality of Education and CPD. Matt was delighted to play a significant role in leading the school to its first ‘Good’ judgement and oversaw the school establish an innovative, research based staff development programme, where, he presented its impact nationally on behalf of the Teacher Development Trust. Matt also led the transformation of the schools careers programme through the creation of the nationally acclaimed Aspire2be pathway of provision. The combination of this development work played a significant role in ensuring the school had both improving progress and outcomes for its students significantly increasing the number of students who remained in education, employment and training.

Matt feels extremely proud to have secured such a pivotal role at Leeds City Academy where he has strategic responsibility for the Quality of Education, curriculum standards and is very excited to play a major part in shaping the direction of the Academy to ensure the very best outcomes for its exceptional students.

Outside of school, Matt is the proud father of a son and daughter with whom, along with his wife, enjoys travelling and spending time together. Matt also enjoys coaching Rugby Union, and is currently the head coach of Aireborough U16’s, where he has coached for the last 10 years .