The Community Champions

The Community Champions

Personal background and situations may be different, but every single child has one thing in common; with the right direction and support, they have the potential to succeed. In our mainstream schools, some pupils seem to breeze through. They turn up, listen, take part, complete homework, pass exams and leave equipped to go onto better things. Then there are those students who struggle and have a very different view of school life altogether; whether it be through immaturity, lack of self-esteem, little or no family support, motivation or just the general inability to grasp the importance of what is on offer.

Often, with that kind of attitude comes disruption and disrespect in the classroom, ending in total frustration and hours of wasted time. The teachers who have prepared and planned specific lessons are sometimes almost considered a nuisance or perhaps someone there to spoil their social interaction. Instead of teaching, it can end up policing a class, which then has a knock-on effect on those students who do grasp the point of education and want to learn.

Our aim is solely to support the school and the teachers. We all understand and appreciate what a difficult and stressful profession teaching can be. When a Community Champion is invited into a school they will talk about their own journeys but also endeavour to inspire, encourage and motivate their audience. We would like to try and change the attitude and the way some students feel about education in general.

The Community Champions help and support the ‘Educational Bank Account’. Every bit of effort and knowledge they retain now is almost like banking invisible money, and without realising it, they are already preparing and contributing to this ‘Educational Bank Account’ which will pay dividends at a later date. This will give them something to offer and enable them to have choices in life. In addition, it will prepare them to stand on their own two feet, take care of their families and feel like a worthwhile member of society.

Furthermore, if our team members can help just some of these young people, to see the connection between, the value, effort and hard work they put in today and the opportunities that will open on leaving school with a full ‘Educational Bank Account’, our initiative has been a success.

Adele Hartley-Spencer – Director of Nursing (Operations)

Adele Hartley-Spencer – Director of Nursing (Operations)

Adrian Kneeshaw BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH, MBA, LLE – Chief Executive and Accounting Officer

Adrian Kneeshaw BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH, MBA, LLE – Chief Executive and Accounting Officer

Alison Lowe OBE – Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

Alison Lowe OBE – Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

Amerjeat Sarai – Education Partnerships Lead Officer

Amerjeat Sarai – Education Partnerships Lead Officer

Andrea Eli –  Channel Director

Andrea Eli – Channel Director

Ann-Marie Keighley – Marketing Manager

Ann-Marie Keighley – Marketing Manager

Anne Newton – Technical Analyst – Yorkshire Water

Anne Newton – Technical Analyst – Yorkshire Water

Asif Khan – Entrepreneur and Commercial Banker

Asif Khan – Entrepreneur and Commercial Banker

Ben Paolozzi – Deputy Bench Chair, West Yorkshire

Ben Paolozzi – Deputy Bench Chair, West Yorkshire

Bolu Fagborun – Managing Director

Bolu Fagborun – Managing Director

Capt Alan Wrigley JP BSc MPhil DHyp FRAeS CBiol MBIH AIL

Capt Alan Wrigley JP BSc MPhil DHyp FRAeS CBiol MBIH AIL

Catherine Hankinson – Assistant Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police

Catherine Hankinson – Assistant Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police

Cathy Prior – Social Impact Programme – Education Lead

Cathy Prior – Social Impact Programme – Education Lead

Chantel Patrick – Police Inspector – Neighbourhood Policing

Chantel Patrick – Police Inspector – Neighbourhood Policing

Chris Lawley – Principal Consultant at Empowering Learning

Chris Lawley – Principal Consultant at Empowering Learning

Claire Pryke – Associate Director Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions

Claire Pryke – Associate Director Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions

Daniel Balaz – Company Director/Head of Services

Daniel Balaz – Company Director/Head of Services

Daniel Ekis – Former Professional Rugby League Player

Daniel Ekis – Former Professional Rugby League Player

Darren Tetley – Professional Boxer

Darren Tetley – Professional Boxer

Dave Walton – Deputy Chief Fire Officer

Dave Walton – Deputy Chief Fire Officer

David Coupe – Senior Partner

David Coupe – Senior Partner

David Crossley – General Manager

David Crossley – General Manager

David Harmer – Global Technology, Media, Marketing and Sales Specialist

David Harmer – Global Technology, Media, Marketing and Sales Specialist

David Pearson JP DL MA(York) FRSA –  Deputy Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Lieutenancy

David Pearson JP DL MA(York) FRSA – Deputy Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Lieutenancy

David Wilford – Chief Executive Officer

David Wilford – Chief Executive Officer

Denise Stroud – Enthusiastic Artist and Interfaith Ambassador

Denise Stroud – Enthusiastic Artist and Interfaith Ambassador

Dr (Neil) Harry Ashurst (Anaesthetist)

Dr (Neil) Harry Ashurst (Anaesthetist)

Dr Frances McGregor JP – Senior Lecturer

Dr Frances McGregor JP – Senior Lecturer

Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL – Chairman

Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL – Chairman

Dr Trevor Higgins – Chief Executive Officer

Dr Trevor Higgins – Chief Executive Officer

Edward S. Pound – Chief Operating Officer

Edward S. Pound – Chief Operating Officer

Emily McCormack – Founder and Principal

Emily McCormack – Founder and Principal

Emma Rawson​ – ATT Technical Officer

Emma Rawson​ – ATT Technical Officer

Emma Smail – Head of Academy North

Emma Smail – Head of Academy North

Faisal Khan BA (Hons) – CCBI Relationship Manager

Faisal Khan BA (Hons) – CCBI Relationship Manager

Faiza Ali JP

Faiza Ali JP

Firzana Ahmed QPM – Retired Police Officer

Firzana Ahmed QPM – Retired Police Officer

Gigie Tuballa Fletcher – Civil servant

Gigie Tuballa Fletcher – Civil servant

Gill Arnold JP DL – Chairman of the West Yorkshire Bench

Gill Arnold JP DL – Chairman of the West Yorkshire Bench

Graham Sweeney – Chief Operating Officer

Graham Sweeney – Chief Operating Officer

HH Judge Mark McKone (KC) – Criminal Barrister and Judge

HH Judge Mark McKone (KC) – Criminal Barrister and Judge

HH Judge Tahir Khan (KC)

HH Judge Tahir Khan (KC)

HH Peter Benson	– Retired Circuit Judge

HH Peter Benson – Retired Circuit Judge

Homera Najib – Bursar and Clerk to the Governors

Homera Najib – Bursar and Clerk to the Governors

Ibrar Hussain Khan – Consul General, Consulate of Pakistan

Ibrar Hussain Khan – Consul General, Consulate of Pakistan

Indy Sagu – Music Producer, Creative Director

Indy Sagu – Music Producer, Creative Director

Jamaal Mahmood – Business Development Manager

Jamaal Mahmood – Business Development Manager

James Hardy – Managing Director

James Hardy – Managing Director

James Mason – Chief Executive Officer

James Mason – Chief Executive Officer

Jasbir Athwal Esq, DL – Property Developer

Jasbir Athwal Esq, DL – Property Developer

Jason Hirst – Chief Executive Officer

Jason Hirst – Chief Executive Officer

Jayne Maiden – Chief Inspector

Jayne Maiden – Chief Inspector

Jimi Lund – Director of Story Film and Photography

Jimi Lund – Director of Story Film and Photography

John Bottomley – Solicitor Advocate and Director

John Bottomley – Solicitor Advocate and Director

John Roberts – Chief Fire Officer

John Roberts – Chief Fire Officer

John Robins QPM DL – Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police

John Robins QPM DL – Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police

John Toothill – Chief Inspector

John Toothill – Chief Inspector

Karen Cruise – Chief Executive

Karen Cruise – Chief Executive

Katie Miller – UK & EU Student Recruitment Manager

Katie Miller – UK & EU Student Recruitment Manager

Kelly Deegan – Relationship Support Manager

Kelly Deegan – Relationship Support Manager

Kiel Townend – Sales General Manager

Kiel Townend – Sales General Manager

Lewis Smith-Connell JP – Programme Manager

Lewis Smith-Connell JP – Programme Manager

Lieutenant Colonel Andy Black – Army’s Head of Engagement for North East and Yorkshire

Lieutenant Colonel Andy Black – Army’s Head of Engagement for North East and Yorkshire

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Dowle TD – Head of Army Civil Engagement for NW England and Isle of Man

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Dowle TD – Head of Army Civil Engagement for NW England and Isle of Man

Lorna Dodd – Firefighter & Triathlete

Lorna Dodd – Firefighter & Triathlete

Madeleine France – Founder & Director

Madeleine France – Founder & Director

Major Christian Storey – British Army Officer – Adjutant General’s Corps

Major Christian Storey – British Army Officer – Adjutant General’s Corps

Mark Burns-Williamson OBE – Former West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Mark Burns-Williamson OBE – Former West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Mark Cowgill – Co-Founder & Director

Mark Cowgill – Co-Founder & Director

Martin Fleming – HM Senior Coroner West Yorkshire

Martin Fleming – HM Senior Coroner West Yorkshire

Matt Wilson – Life Coaching and Mentoring.

Matt Wilson – Life Coaching and Mentoring.

Michael (David) Cracknell – Business Development Manager

Michael (David) Cracknell – Business Development Manager

Mohammad Ali – Senior IT Account Manager 

Mohammad Ali – Senior IT Account Manager 

Mrs Victoria Hartford – Director of Primary Carlton Academy Trust

Mrs Victoria Hartford – Director of Primary Carlton Academy Trust

Naeem Sheikh JP – Insurance Consultant

Naeem Sheikh JP – Insurance Consultant

Nicholas Haigh – Police Officer

Nicholas Haigh – Police Officer

Nick Garthwaite – Managing Director

Nick Garthwaite – Managing Director

Nirmal Singh MBE FRSA – Chairman

Nirmal Singh MBE FRSA – Chairman

Osman Khan – Temporary Assistant Chief Constable

Osman Khan – Temporary Assistant Chief Constable

Paul Harvey – Chief Executive Officer

Paul Harvey – Chief Executive Officer

Peter Benson – Retired Circuit Judge

Peter Benson – Retired Circuit Judge

Philip Davies MP – Member of Parliament (Shipley)

Philip Davies MP – Member of Parliament (Shipley)

Prof. Alastair Goldman – Senior Academic

Prof. Alastair Goldman – Senior Academic

Prof. Shirley Congdon – Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford

Prof. Shirley Congdon – Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford

Prof. Zahir Irani PhD, MPhil, BEng (Hons) – Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford

Prof. Zahir Irani PhD, MPhil, BEng (Hons) – Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford

Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL – Deputy Chief Executive & High Sheriff of West Yorkshire (2024-2025)

Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL – Deputy Chief Executive & High Sheriff of West Yorkshire (2024-2025)

Raj Kumar – Solicitor

Raj Kumar – Solicitor

Revd Dr George Williams JP (B.A.(Hons), M.A, Ph.D, M.A, M.A., C.Th M) – Magistrate and Retired Vicar

Revd Dr George Williams JP (B.A.(Hons), M.A, Ph.D, M.A, M.A., C.Th M) – Magistrate and Retired Vicar

Richard Anderson JP – Primary Teacher

Richard Anderson JP – Primary Teacher

Richard Clews – District Judge (Magistrates Courts)

Richard Clews – District Judge (Magistrates Courts)

Richard Stroud – MBE Vice-Chairman of the and Interfaith Ambassador

Richard Stroud – MBE Vice-Chairman of the and Interfaith Ambassador

Rob Omar – Director

Rob Omar – Director

Ruwena Khan – Barrister

Ruwena Khan – Barrister

Sabbiyah Pervez – Communities Reporter, BBC Look North

Sabbiyah Pervez – Communities Reporter, BBC Look North

Saleem Kadar – Managing Director

Saleem Kadar – Managing Director

Samreen Akhtar – Barrister

Samreen Akhtar – Barrister

Sana Khan – Account Manager

Sana Khan – Account Manager

Sarah Butters JP – Magistrate. Student Support & Media Training

Sarah Butters JP – Magistrate. Student Support & Media Training

Scott Thomson Chief Technology Officer

Scott Thomson Chief Technology Officer

Sharena Lee Satti – Poet, Spoken Word artist, Educator

Sharena Lee Satti – Poet, Spoken Word artist, Educator

Sharon Jandu OBE JP – Project Management and Business Delivery

Sharon Jandu OBE JP – Project Management and Business Delivery

Shazia Awan – Radio Programme  Developer/Learning Support Assistant

Shazia Awan – Radio Programme  Developer/Learning Support Assistant

Sherri Ward – Director and Managing Director

Sherri Ward – Director and Managing Director

Simmy Sekhon – Managing Director

Simmy Sekhon – Managing Director

Simon Hinchliffe – Headmaster

Simon Hinchliffe – Headmaster

Simone Reid (MSc) – Managing Director and Personal & Leadership Coach

Simone Reid (MSc) – Managing Director and Personal & Leadership Coach

Sir David Wootton Alderman, City of London

Sir David Wootton Alderman, City of London

Suzanne Watson – Managing Director

Suzanne Watson – Managing Director

Tanzila Samun – Finance Business Partner

Tanzila Samun – Finance Business Partner

Tasif Khan – World Champion Boxer

Tasif Khan – World Champion Boxer

Thomas Whitford-Bartle – Alumni Engagement Officer

Thomas Whitford-Bartle – Alumni Engagement Officer

Tim Rogers – Director

Tim Rogers – Director

Tracy Brabin – Mayor of West Yorkshire

Tracy Brabin – Mayor of West Yorkshire

Victoria Hartford – Director

Victoria Hartford – Director

Virginia Lloyd DL – Sales Director and Solicitor

Virginia Lloyd DL – Sales Director and Solicitor

Warrant Officer (RAFAC) Daniel Rouse – Officer Commanding 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Warrant Officer (RAFAC) Daniel Rouse – Officer Commanding 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Yunus Mayat – Local Authority Officer

Yunus Mayat – Local Authority Officer

Zaf Shah PhD (nc), B.A., LL.M. GDL – Doctoral Researcher (Law)

Zaf Shah PhD (nc), B.A., LL.M. GDL – Doctoral Researcher (Law)

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