Senior Leadership Team

Chris Stokes graduated from the University of Leeds in 2007 with a degree in Business Management. Whilst completing his degree, Chris gained significant leadership experience outside of education as a Retail Manager for WH Smith. Upon graduating, Chris completed his PGCE in Business Studies at Leeds University and began teaching as a Business Studies and Mathematics teacher at Abbey Academy in 2009. 

Within his first year at Abbey Grange, Chris took on leadership for e-learning and developed both the school infrastructure and day-to-day practices that ensured all students had significant access to ICT. This eventually led to securing a programme which provided all students with an iPad, with the school being highly recognised for its use of IT in the classroom. Whilst teaching, Chris completed his Masters in ICT and Education, gaining a distinction in 2011 from the University of Leeds and completed an Advanced Certificate in Mathematics Education at York St John University. 

In 2013 Chris began working for White Rose Academies Trust as Assistant Principal: Mathematics, successfully taking Leeds West Academy from 50% to 66% A*-C in his first year in post and Leeds City Academy from 23% to 51% A*-C in 2015. After a series of promotions, Chris achieved the role of Principal at Leeds East Academy in 2016 and led the school from the bottom 5% of secondary schools to the third most improved school in the country with results in the top 10% in 2017. This improvement was viewed by the Department for Education as one of the most impressive nationally and led to Chris and Leeds East Academy being selected to appear in the prestigious Parliamentary Review in 2017.  

Chris took on his second Headship in 2018, assuming the role of Principal of The Farnley Academy. During his time in post, Chris led the school from a position in the top 45% of schools in the country, to a sustained position in the top 8% of schools. Additionally, under Chris’ leadership, The Farnley Academy moved from Requires Improvement to an Ofsted Outstanding judgement in September 2023, with inspectors remarking that “Pupils proudly attend this aspirations and visionary school. Whilst he is forever proud of what he and his team achieved together at The Farnley Academy, following the birth of his first child, Chris took the decision, along with his family, that it was time to return home to North Yorkshire, a place that he loves. 

Chris proudly took on the role of Headteacher at Bedale High School in September 2024 and has set out a bold and ambitious goal for the school to be rated Ofsted Outstanding in its next inspection which is likely to be in the 27/28 academic year. 

Val Clayden graduated from the University of Ripon & York St John with a degree in Physical Education and Biological Sciences. Whilst studying she participated in springboard diving and trampolining, representing the Northern area and being invited to join National diving training. Upon graduating, Val completed her PGCE in Physical Education and Biology at Loughborough University whilst continuing to compete in springboard diving and trampolining. 

Val taught at Barlby High School and then Archbishop Holgates School before becoming the Community Education Tutor at Canon Lee School. Whilst in this role she was chosen to be an ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh Award at an International event in Indonesia. Due to her extensive involvement in volunteering and work within the community, Val was selected to carry the torch for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. 

Val next moved into the role of Assistant Headteacher at Huntcliff School where in 2009 her students achieved the best BTEC Horse Care results in the country. Owing to Val’s passion in supporting SEND students, she was asked to lead the development of Foundation Learning across Redcar & Cleveland which involved liaising with neighbouring authorities and Government bodies. This eventually led to her taking on the role of Head of Education at a residential specialist school before joining Bedale High School as Assistant Headteacher in June 2022.

Andy Childe graduated from the University of North London in 1994 with a degree in Geography. After graduation, Andy lived in Romania for a year, where he volunteered as an environmental consultant in Retezat National Park, monitoring bears and wolves and helping to develop sustainable tourism, During his time in Romania, and also worked in hospitals, orphanages and in a secondary school as a volunteer teaching assistant. It was this final experience that convinced Andy to that he wanted to pursue a career in teaching. Therefore, upon returning to the UK, Andy completed his PGCE in Geography and Physical Education (PE) at the University of Leeds and began teaching as a Geography and PE teacher at Dyke House School, Hartlepool in 1997. 

During his eight years at Dyke House School, Andy supported the school on their journey from ‘Special Measures’ to ‘Outstanding’, taking on additional areas of leadership including Year 6 Transition, Duke of Edinburgh (becoming the largest unit in Hartlepool) and Head of Year. Whilst teaching, Andy also began marking for an exam board to further his own professional development. Andy is now the Chief Examiner for GCSE Geography (Pearson Edexcel) and a Senior Examiner for AQA. 

Andy then spent the next decade working in various secondary schools in the North East (Darlington, Spennymoor and Barnard Castle) as Head of Geography and as Head of Humanities. During this period, Andy’s leadership helped to enhance the curriculum that was being delivered (both inside and outside the classroom), motivating and inspiring students to maximise their outcomes. 

Andy ‘came home’ to North Yorkshire in 2016 where he led the Humanities and MFL Faculty at Bedale High Scholl for several years before being appointed Assistant Headteacher in 2022, leading Personal Development. This is the area of school that Andy feels very passionate about – ensuring that every single student in our school community has best experience possible during their 5-years at Bedale, and is in the best possible for further success when they leave us. Under Andy’s leadership, Student Leadership, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education), Extra-Curricular and Careers education (with, most recently, the re-introduction of a formal work experience in year 10) have been strengthened – something that was recognised in recent Growing Up in North Yorkshire surveys and the most recent Ofsted report.