Mr A Ireland

Headteacher

Mr Ireland has spent his entire career teaching and leading in Sheffield Schools. He graduated from Sheffield University in 1992 with a Batchelor of Engineering degree with honours, and a postgraduate certificate of education. Before training as a teacher, Mr Ireland spent some time working in the automotive industry as part of his degree studies.

Starting as a physics teacher, Mr Ireland remained with his first school, Birley Community College, for 16 years and in this time was promoted from head of science to assistant headteacher and then deputy headteacher. From then on, he has gained considerable experience leading across a range of schools in the city. His first appointment as headteacher was for the final three years of Myers Grove School before it merged with a neighbouring school. From there he moved to Westfield School and most recently the city’s pupil referral unit before joining Stocksbridge High School in September 2019.

Mr Ireland has a stated ambition that Stocksbridge High School continues to work closely with the community we serve so that every student has the opportunity to leave skilled, qualified and confident to take their best next steps in life.

Mrs N Layland

Deputy Headteacher

Mrs Layland left Tapton Academy to join Stocksbridge High School in May 2017. At Tapton Academy she gained over 13 years’ leadership experience working with staff, students and the community across the Trust’s diverse range of schools covering Year 7 to Year 13.

Mrs Layland left Tapton Academy to join Stocksbridge High School in May 2017. At Tapton Academy she gained over 13 years’ leadership experience working with staff, students and the community across the Trust’s diverse range of schools covering Year 7 to Year 13.

Mrs Layland started her teaching career as a Drama Teacher but she came in to teaching due to her specific interest in Inclusion and Community Cohesion. In addition to her teaching degree she is qualified in Informal Education and is a qualified Community and Outreach worker. Prior to teaching she spent 5 years supporting young people living in areas of high socio-economic deprivation aligning her moral imperative with the school’s values of Believe. Achieve. Succeed.

Mr A Evans

Assistant Headteacher

Having joined Stocksbridge High School for one year to begin with as a newly qualified teacher, Mr Evans was recognised in City Awards as the leading NQT at the end of that first year, and was offered the chance to remain at SHS.

Having joined Stocksbridge High School for one year to begin with as a newly qualified teacher, Mr Evans was recognised in City Awards as the leading NQT at the end of that first year, and was offered the chance to remain at SHS.

He continues to be a committed teacher of history, alongside taking on increased responsibilities throughout his time at Stocksbridge. Beginning as a lead on e-learning and emerging social media, he then moved into the pastoral side of school leadership. Moving from KS3 Progress Lead, through to KS4, and then Assistant Headteacher for Climate and Culture for learning. Currently Mr Evans is Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Data and Progress, working to ensure that all students achieve the very best they can in their time at Stocksbridge High School.

Mr Evans prides himself on working hard for, and being part of, the Stocksbridge Community. He values the attributes of hard work and kindness above all else, and demands those of himself, and every student and member of staff that he works with.

Mrs F Finch

Assistant Headteacher

Mrs Finch has spent her teaching career working across schools in South Yorkshire. She graduated from Bretton Hall (University of Leeds) in 2001 with a Batchelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Drama and Arts Education, before completing a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in 2002.

Mrs Finch has spent her teaching career working across schools in South Yorkshire. She graduated from Bretton Hall (University of Leeds) in 2001 with a Batchelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Drama and Arts Education, before completing a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in 2002.

Beginning her career as a drama teacher, Mrs Finch began her teaching career in Doncaster before moving to Rawmarsh Community School in Rotherham where she led the Drama Department and Arts Faculty. This experience of using the Arts to develop students personal, leadership and creative skills led to a year spent working with the Arts Council of England, completing a research project in student leadership and its impact on academic progress, before taking the role of Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning at SHS.
Mrs Finch believes passionately in the power of the arts and active learning to increase the skills and aspirations of young people and will endeavour to ensure all students are able to leave Stocksbridge High School having been given the very best experiences in all our classrooms, every day.

Mr S Tipson

Associate Assistant Headteacher

Mr Tipson moved to Sheffield from Brimingham to study Computer Science and Business Studies. After achieving a Batchelor of Science (Honours) degree he went on to complete his teacher training at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating at masters level.

Mr Tipson moved to Sheffield from Brimingham to study Computer Science and Business Studies. After achieving a Batchelor of Science (Honours) degree he went on to complete his teacher training at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating at masters level.

Mr Tipson is in his fifth year at Stocksbridge High School. He was previously head of Brearley house before becoming part of the Senior Leadership team and is now Assistant Headteacher in with the responsibility of inclusion. Mr Tipson is one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads at Stocksbridge High School.

In his first year as a senior leader at Stocksbridge High School, Mr Tipson has overseen the re development of the behaviour and rewards policy and is committed to ensuring that this is delivered consistently across the school to ensure students and staff approach their days with the school values of being positive, caring, courageous and reflective. Mr Tipson leads the pastoral team in school that includes the Phase Leaders and Pastoral Managers.

Ms J Martin

Director of Maths

Ms Martin started her teaching career in September 2008 as a maths teacher at Ridgewood School in Doncaster before moving on to Armthorpe Academy in September 2009. She is very passionate about maths and has experience of teaching at GCSE and A-level. She is equally as passionate about making sure that all students have the very best opportunities to succeed both in school and in life.

Ms Z Slaney

Director of English

Mrs Slaney started her career in 2009 at Armthorpe Academy and then moved on to various schools before joining Stocksbridge High in April 2020. She is a committed and dedicated teacher, who strives to help all students reach their potential. She has experience of GCSE Language and Literature, A Level English and is an experienced marker for the exam board.