Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Mr Dan Mason
Principal
Having started as Principal in September 2022, Mr Mason is now the second longest principal since the inception of SWB Academy in 2009.

He has overseen record results at both Year 11 and post 16, developed our links with the community, introduced the first (and largest) school based Alternative Provision within the city of Wolverhampton and increased the school roll (due to its continued popularity) enabling more Bilston children to attend their secondary school of choice.

This has resulted in an expansion of the already impressive building at SWB.

Mr Mason led the school to a highly successful Ofsted inspection in our most recent visit in 2026, where inspectors stated that  “Pupils flourish in this vibrant academy where high aspirations and high ambition are woven into the school’s fabric”

As a qualified SENDCO and Access Arrangements assessor, Mr Mason has a keen interest in improving the life chances of children irrelevant of any barriers they may face.

As a father of 2 boys, Mr Mason is also an advocate for raising money for Cancer Research, having led the school in raising over £20,000 over the last three years in our annual SWB ‘Race For Life’.


Mr Liam Evans
Vice Principal (Outcomes)

Mr Evans is an experienced senior leader with more than 15 years of experience in education and over a decade in senior leadership roles. Since 2014, he has worked across a range of educational settings in Walsall, London, Nuneaton, Telford, and Sandwell, developing a strong track record of securing school improvement and improving outcomes for young people.

At SWB Academy, Mr Evans leads on attendance and achievement, with responsibility for ensuring that every student is supported to attend regularly, achieve highly and realise their full potential. He is passionate about removing barriers to learning, promoting high expectations and creating a culture where all students can thrive academically and personally.

He has played a key role in the Academy’s continued improvement journey. The Academy’s most recent Ofsted inspection recognised the school’s significant improvements in attendance and achievement, highlighting leaders’ relentless focus on supporting students and removing barriers to regular attendance. Inspectors noted that attendance had increased, persistent absence had reduced, and disadvantaged students were achieving above-average outcomes in external examinations.

As a senior leader, Mr Evans is committed to improving educational outcomes, particularly for and those students facing additional challenges. He believes that strong attendance is the foundation of academic success and works closely with students, families, and staff to ensure every young person has the opportunity to succeed.

Outside of school, Mr Evans enjoys spending time with his family and is a proud father of two children. A keen runner and sports enthusiast, he regularly participates in half marathons.

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Miss Sarah Woodbine
Vice Principal (Pastoral)
As Vice Principal, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and strategic lead for SEND, inclusion and student conduct, MIss Woodbine’s priority is ensuring every student feels safe, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.

With over 14 years at the academy, she has led safeguarding, inclusion and SEND provision, helping transform the SEND department into an Ofsted-recognised strength and supporting the academy’s wider improvement journey. Her career has been dedicated to supporting children, young people and families across Wolverhampton, with experience spanning education, inclusion and multi-agency leadership.

Miss Woodbine is passionate about ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or starting point, have access to the opportunities, support and high expectations needed to succeed. Working alongside our pastoral team, she is proud to help create life-changing opportunities that raise aspirations and enable young people to thrive both in school and beyond. Outside of the Academy, her favourite things are to spend time with her two children and three dogs.  

Mr Kieran Ellement
Vice Principal (Quality of
Education – Intent and
Implementation)

Mr Ellement is Vice Principal for Quality of Education at Ormiston SWB Academy, with responsibility for curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment and the continued development of high-quality classroom practice across the academy. He also holds responsibility for inclusion as part of classroom practice, ensuring that high expectations and effective teaching support all students to access and succeed within the curriculum.

Having joined SWB in 2016, Mr Ellement is now celebrating 10 years of service to the academy and its community. During that time, he has progressed through a number of leadership roles, including Lead Practitioner for Teaching and Learning and Associate Assistant Principal for Curriculum, before becoming Vice Principal. He has experience of line managing a wide range of curriculum areas, including Maths, Humanities, Modern Foreign Languages, Computing, Music and Art, as well as leading a team of Lead Practitioners who support the development of curriculum and pedagogy across the school.
Mr Ellement began his teaching career at an Outstanding secondary school, where he spent three years developing a strong understanding of excellent teaching and learning. Since moving to SWB, he has continued to develop his expertise in curriculum design, assessment, professional development and coaching, while building extensive experience of senior leadership within a very different educational context. He is particularly proud to have been part of the leadership team that has helped the academy achieve an Ofsted judgement of ‘Good’ for the first time in its history.

After graduating from Coventry University with an honours degree in Geography and Natural Hazards and completing a PGCE in Secondary Geography at Keele University, he completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) through Ambition Institute in 2021 and the National Professional Qualification for SENCOs (NPQSENCO) in 2026. Mr Ellement also served as a governor at Loxdale Primary School for four years, contributing to the curriculum team.

Throughout his career, he has remained passionate about improving the quality of education and widening the experiences available to young people. Among his proudest memories at SWB are leading numerous visits to Iceland, giving many students the opportunity to experience something they may otherwise never have had the chance to do.
Outside of school, he is a proud father of two adopted boys, who keep him very busy during weekends and school holidays. He is also a keen musician and has played drums in a number of bands and orchestras since a young age.

Miss Gemma Keen
Associate Vice Principal
(Quality of Education –
Intent and
Implementation)
Miss Keen joined SWB in January 2024 as Associate Vice Principal, leading Teaching and Learning across the academy.  She leads the academy’s evidence-informed CPD programme, centred on rehearsal and deliberate practice, and has established a whole-school coaching programme involving 100% of teaching staff. Miss Keen’s work contributed to securing an ‘Expected’ judgement in the 2026 Ofsted inspection. She holds the NPQLTD and continues to teach Geography, achieving outstanding A Level results, with 100% of students gaining A* to B grades and 63% achieving an A grade. Outside of school, she enjoys travelling the world and discovering new cultures and destinations.

Mr L Lal
Assistant Principal (imetable, Literacy and
Social Action Lead)
Mr Lal joined the Academy in 2016 as an Assistant Principal with responsibility for improving outcomes for disadvantaged learners.

Throughout his time at the Academy, he has championed a whole-child approach to education, leading strategic initiatives in literacy, homework, rewards, and enrichment that support both academic success and personal development.

His leadership has contributed to the Academy achieving its strongest outcomes in English and Mathematics for disadvantaged students.

As a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher and SENDCo, Mr Lal is passionate about literacy as the foundation for learning and believes that strong literacy skills are key to accessing the curriculum and removing barriers to achievement.

He has also led work with alternative provision partners, securing placements that help learners re-engage with education, rebuild confidence, and successfully return to Academy routines and expectations.

Outside of school, Mr Lal is a proud father of two. His other great passion is supporting Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he has been a season ticket holder for more than 25 years.
Mr Joshua Morgan
Assistant Principal (Attendance and
Transition)
Mr Morgan joined SWB in September 2025, initially leading on Behaviour and Attitude. This is an area he has always been passionate about with a belief that high expectations, strong relationships and a positive culture are fundamental to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. Mr Morgan’s responsibilities have since evolved and he now leads on Attendance, Year 6 Transition, Year 7 and Rewards and Recognition.  He is committed to ensuring that students attend school regularly, feel a strong sense of belonging and are recognised for their achievements and positive contributions.
Outside of the Academy, Mr Morgan enjoys spending time with his family and keeping active. He is a keen runner and enjoys the challenges of marathons and half marathons. Further to this, he is also a big football fan and enjoys both playing and watching sport.

Mrs Donna Hughes
Assistant Principal (Personal Development)
Having served the local community for over 24 years in a range of academic and pastoral roles, Mrs Hughes leads Personal Development at Ormiston SWB Academy, alongside her role as an English teacher. Her extensive knowledge of the academy, its students and the wider community underpins her belief that education should develop not only academic success, but confident, compassionate and well-rounded young people.
At the heart of Mrs Hughes’ leadership is the academy’s C.O.R.E curriculum, which brings together Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), Fundamental British Values (FBV) and students’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development. She also leads the academy’s work on Mental Health and Well-being, Enrichment and Student Voice, ensuring that students are given meaningful opportunities to develop their character, broaden their experiences, contribute to their community and have a genuine voice in academy life and, as such ‘relish being part of the school’.
The strength of this provision was recognised during recent Ofsted inspections. Inspectors described C.O.R.E as an “impressive personal development curriculum”, highlighting its breadth across areas including careers, online safety, diversity and equality. Importantly, students themselves spoke enthusiastically about the curriculum and were found to “enjoy and value it highly.” Inspectors also recognised that the academy’s C.O.R.E values of Character, Organisation, Resilience and Excellence run through every facet of school life and contribute to a respectful community in which students learn to value equality and respect others.
Mrs Hughes is passionate about ensuring that Personal Development extends far beyond individual lessons. Through enrichment, student leadership, mental health and well-being provision, community engagement and opportunities for students to make their voices heard, her aim is to create a culture in which every young person can develop a strong sense of identity, belonging, aspiration and social responsibility.
Fundamentally, Mrs Hughes believes that the student-centred curriculum and culture at the heart of  SWB Academy should do more than educate young people: it should empower them. Her ambition is for every SWB student to leave the academy equipped with the knowledge, character, confidence and experiences needed to lead a happy, enriched and rewarding life long after their time at SWB has ended.
Outside the academy, Mrs Hughes is an avid reader and enjoys both theatre and cinema.

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Miss Emily Dutton
Assistant Principal (Post 16 & Careers)
As Assistant Principal, Miss Dutton leads post-16 provision at Ormiston SWB Academy, with a strong focus on ensuring every student feels supported, valued and part of the SWB6TH family. Our motto, “Inspiring Growth, Shaping Futures,” is at the heart of her approach, and she is passionate about helping students develop the confidence, independence and skills they need to succeed in further education and their future pathways. Miss Dutton continues to teach Art and Design and enjoys bringing creativity into both her teaching and leadership. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her two children, travelling, reading and exploring her interests in architecture and design.

Mr Ali Lampitt
Business Manager
As Business Manager, Mr Lampitt is responsible for overseeing the Academy’s operational functions.

He joined the Academy in 2014, shortly after achieving the Certificate in School Business Management (CSBM). Since then, Mr Lampitt has continued his professional development, completing a Diploma in Operational Management with distinction.

Mr Lampitt has contributed to several key operational areas, including finance, human resources, facilities and IT.  He has also supported the delivery of major Academy projects, including a permanent increase in the Published Admission Number (PAN) and extensive building modifications to accommodate additional pupils.

One of his career highlights has been contributing to the academy achieving its first ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement in 2021, as well as supporting its continued development and further Ofsted improvements in 2026.

Outside of the Academy, he enjoys spending time with his family, keeping fit and listening to music.



Miss Lauri Alexander
Associate Assistant Principal

As Assistant Principal for Outcomes, Miss Alexander is passionate about ensuring every student at Ormiston SWB Academy achieves the very best outcomes possible and leaves us fully prepared for the next chapter of their lives. Having started her career at SWB as an Early Career Teacher in 2016, she has proudly spent the last 10 years serving the Bilston community, progressing through roles including Assistant Director of PE, Director of Year, Lead Practitioner for Outcomes and now Assistant Principal for Outcomes.

She is committed to working with young people and their families to raise aspirations, remove barriers to success and ensure all students have the opportunities they deserve. Beyond the academy, Miss Alexander is also a Governor at Loxdale Primary School, helping to strengthen the partnership between our schools and the wider community.

Outside of school life, she enjoys travelling, taking part in a range of sports such as Football, Golf and Running, as well as spending time with family, friends and her beloved dog, Boofle. 

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Rebecca Rahimian
Associate Assistant Principal (Pupil Premium) 

Mrs Rahimian joined the Academy 10 years ago as Head of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. Building a curriculum that gives every student access to PRE from Key Stage 3 -5 has been a privilege for Mrs Rahimian and she is incredibly proud that last year 63% of her A Level cohort achieved a grade A. In her current role as Associate Assistant Principal for Pupil Premium, her focus is to widen opportunities, build cultural capital and remove any barriers that stand in the way of our students achieving their potential. In her previous role as Lead Practitioner,  she led whole-school routines and professional development, including the introduction of Steplab coaching, to ensure our classroom conditions allow all of our students to thrive.  Outside of school she enjoys reading, travelling and musical theatre but her favourite place to be is with her Husband and two daughters.