Leadership Team – OLD

Mr Mallinson has overall responsibility for The Ruth Gorse Academy. He became the Principal in September 2020. Prior to this he was appointed as the Principal of The Stephen Longfellow Academy in October 2017, which is deemed as one of the best Alternative Provision schools in the city region. Mr Mallinson was previously the Vice Principal of The Ruth Gorse Academy in 2016 and 2017. Prior to joining The Gorse Academies Trust, Mr Mallinson was a PE teacher and Senior Leader responsible for Behaviour Standards in Kirklees for 11 years. He graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2005 and still maintains strong links with the Faculty of Education. In 2024, he obtained the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL) and works in collaboration with other schools (both Primary and Secondary) across the GORSE academies trust. Under his leadership, the school has been ranked as one of the top performing schools in Leeds in 2023 and 2024 for academic progress.

Miss Burlison began her teaching career by completing her PGDipEd with the University of Birmingham. She moved to Leeds in 2018 and joined The Ruth Gorse Academy as a History teacher. Within the past six years, Miss Burlison has been an Academic Progress Leader and Head of Year, developing a key understanding of the challenges that our pupils can face on a daily basis.

Miss Burlison is hugely passionate about removing barriers for pupils and completed a Masters in Education during her third year at The Ruth Gorse Academy, analysing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our most vulnerable pupils.

She is now continuing her passion as Senior Assistant Principal for SEND, ensuring that all pupils have access to an Outstanding education, as well as forming part of the Safeguarding Team in her role as Deputy DSL. Miss Burlison played a crucial role in supporting the academy in securing the NASEN Award for Secondary Provision of the Year 2023 - national recognition for the SEND provision at the academy and the work around the THINK 5 strategy and the introduction of SEND Champions. In addition to this, Miss Burlison is continuing to develop her drive for Outstanding leadership through the successful completion of an NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership) with Leeds Teaching School Hub. She is also a facilitator for the first ever cohort of the NPQSENCo supporting other SENDCO's across Leeds to develop their understanding of SEND and how to support pupils with SEND.

Miss Burlison is also the designated teacher with responsibility of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children, has overall responsibility for the academy EAL provision and oversees the remit of transition and student voice/student leadership.

Mr Bell has worked within education and community settings for 18 years and graduated from Teesside University with a degree in Child Development in 2014. Within his career he has worked in a range of settings including alternative provision and mainstream education and furthered his experience over a five-year period working in New York City supporting and safeguarding children at risk of exploitation. Mr Bell joined The Ruth Gorse Academy in 2017 and holds responsibility for safeguarding, alternative provision and community cohesion.

Mr Smith is now in his seventh year at The Ruth Gorse Academy after successfully graduating from the GORSE SCITT. He leads on Positive Discipline and ensures that the academy maintains its high standards and expectations of students through a culture of reward, praise and acknowledgement.

Mr Harper has been teaching since 2011, initially teaching dance at a school in Calderdale. Throughout his career he has held a number of roles including Head of Faculty for Creative Arts, as well as Director of Sixth Form and Associate Assistant Principal for Ks3 and Enrichment.

Mr Harper joined The Ruth Gorse Academy in September 2022 and is responsible for Student Leadership, Student Voice and the ACE Ambassadors; and looks forward to developing these areas further to ensure that students are able to achieve beyond what they are today.

Over the last thirteen years Miss Mir has worked across multiple Secondary academies in The GORSE Academies Trust. As an AST in Science, Assistant Principal, Senior Assistant Principal and Trust Director of Teaching and Assessment. Miss Mir has worked relentlessly to drive and maintain high standards in education for all learners which result in excellent student outcomes enabling learners to progress on to employment, post-16 or an apprenticeship of their choice.

Within her current remit, Miss Mir is also responsible for overseeing student outcomes, including the progress of the disadvantaged cohort and the Quality of Education. The Summer 2023 progress data for the academy places the academy as the number one school in Leeds and for the disadvantaged cohort, in third position.

Ms Gully began her teaching career at Boston Spa Academy, teaching English and leading SEND. She served the Senior Leadership Team with responsibility for Safeguarding, Inclusion and Attendance, and subsequently led Teaching and Learning when the school joined the GORSE Academies Trust. At The Ruth Gorse Academy she leads Personal Development including PSHE and RSHE and Enrichment ++.

After a varied career as cabin crew and food production management, Mrs Murray retrained to become a teacher. Her career started at a secondary school in Bradford where she was filmed for a year as an NQT for Teachers TV. Her career progressed and she became Head of Department in two large secondary schools before moving to The Ruth Gorse Academy when it opened on Black Bull Street. She became Assistant Principal in January 2019. From September she will continue to work across the trust supporting KS4 Modern Foreign Languages and will also lead on Careers within the academy.

Miss O’Brien started her teaching career in 2014, as an English Teacher in a large secondary school in Leeds. She joined The Ruth Gorse Academy in 2017 as Assistant Leader of English. She then advanced to the position of Deputy Director of English, with oversight of whole school Literacy, and subsequently to the role of Director of English. During this time, she also supported in leading English Language across the Gorse Academies Trust.

Miss O’Brien is incredibly passionate about ensuring all students have access to high-quality educational provision. She has led on the development of catch-up curriculum and intervention programs and has developed a comprehensive Reading Strategy, elevating the reading provision for students across all curriculum areas. Her passion for promoting high-quality teaching and learning as instrumental tools for improving outcomes persists in her current role as Assistant Principal.

Miss O’Brien is actively pursuing her dedication to outstanding leadership by undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) through the Leeds Teaching School Hub.

Mr Pawson has been part of GORSE since 2008, embarking on his career as a PE teacher at The Morley Academy. Over the years, he has assumed various roles, including Head of House, Student Performance Leader, Head of Year, and Director of Key Stage 3. His experience within the trust showcases a deep commitment to student welfare and development. Mr. Pawson is driven by a passion for providing students with exceptional pastoral support, fostering an environment where they not only excel academically but also find joy in their school journey. His dedication aligns seamlessly with the values upheld by GORSE, emphasising the holistic growth and well-being of every student.