Academy and College Leaders

Julie Barr

Headteacher - Anchorsholme Academy

Julie took up post as the new Headteacher at Anchorsholme Academy in September 2024. Julie was previously the Vice Principal at Hawes Side Academy in Blackpool. Julie began her teaching career in the West Midlands before moving to Lancashire. She has also taught at Bispham Endowed, Boundary and Layton Primary Schools. She has taught and led teaching and learning across all three key stages and has been a Deputy Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead and SENDCO and an Acting Headteacher, working in other local Blackpool and Preston primary schools. Julie is committed to facilitating outstanding learning experiences to ensure that children become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.

Dan Simm

Headteacher - Devonshire Primary Academy

Prior to taking up the post of Headteacher in January 2020, Dan had been the Deputy Headteacher at Devonshire Primary Academy since September 2015. His teaching career spans 25 years, most of which was spent on the Fylde Coast at another local school in Fleetwood. The Devonshire staff, led by Dan, are working together to make sure that the school is ‘the best that it can be’. Staff are committed to ensuring that all children meet their full potential through our new curriculum and other personal development opportunities that are provided by the school. Devonshire Primary Academy prides itself on being outward facing; we are always looking for new and innovative, research- based strategies to assist school improvement because our pupils deserve the best possible education that Blackpool has to offer.

Gill Hughes

Headteacher - Park Community Academy

Gill has worked at PCA for 20 years. Throughout this time she has been team leader for key stage 2 and 3, led the school’s bid to become a specialist Arts College and spent 7 years as Deputy Headteacher, leading on Curriculum and assessment across the school. Gill took up headship in January 2021 and has a clear vision for the school, centred around inclusion, growth, staff development and the mental health and wellbeing of the whole PCA community. Gill is a strong believer in the benefits of extra-curricular activities and set up the key stage 2 residential to Tower Wood and the key stage 3 residential, initially to London and then to York. Gill also established and led the highly successful School Direct programme and is passionate about developing, mentoring and coaching initial teacher trainees and early career teachers.

Paul Osborne

Headteacher - Revoe Learning Academy

Paul took up post as Headteacher at Revoe Learning Academy in September 2024. Paul has been the Deputy Headteacher at Revoe for the last four years. He has worked at Revoe since 2014 as a Senior Teacher and Teaching & Learning Lead. Prior to this, Paul worked at Boundary Primary School, initially as a Teaching Assistant, before qualifying as a teacher in 2009, and then progressing to leading Upper Key Stage 2. Before his teaching career, he has also previously been a Community Sports Coach working to enhance the delivery of PE across Blackpool. Paul has successfully achieved his National Professional Qualification for Headship as well as the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership, PGCE in Primary Education and a BA Hons in Sports Studies with Health. Paul will continue to relentlessly strive to achieve the very best for the whole Revoe community.

Samantha Dillon

Headteacher - Tor View School

Samantha Dillon is Headteacher of Tor View School and took up this post in September 2024, having previously been Head of School for EYFS, Primary, Secondary and the Intensive Support Centre. Samantha has worked at Tor View School since February 2008 where she began her career at the school as an NQT. She was Assistant Headteacher/Head of the Primary department for 4 years before successfully gaining Deputy Headship. Samantha was Deputy Head for 3 and a half years before becoming Head of School. Samantha has taught across all age phases within school, with the majority of her teaching career being spent in the primary department. She is passionate about inclusion and equality. She has taught the inclusion link classes at both Haslingden Primary School and Haslingden High School and has set up social inclusion links with local mainstream primary school to develop pupil’s social interaction with their mainstream peers. Samantha has played an active role on the Governing Body since 2010.

Kelly Swindells

Principal - Valley College

Kelly is Principal of Valley College. Kelly thoroughly enjoys working for Sea View Trust and the varied role she holds and the opportunities for growth for the whole community. Kelly has worked education for 11 years and held a number of leadership roles during this time, developing her skills and knowledge and learning something new every day. She is a Mum of two boys and enjoys spending quality time as a family, walking, cycling and at football matches.