Mrs Chelsea Sandbrook, Headteacher

Responsibility for School Improvement, Teacher Professional Development & Performance Management and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Chelsea was born in Los Angeles, California and studied English at San Diego State University. She moved to London after an internship at The Writer’s Guild and fell into working in schools. Chelsea taught within a large federation of primary schools in East London, where she trained to be a teacher, before becoming Assistant Head and Headteacher at Manor Leas. In that time she has taught across the full primary age range before specialising in Key Stage 2.

She has led and developed the curriculum and has led the school to recieve an Area of Excellence for curriculum from Challenge Partners. No stranger to speaking, she has been part of various panels at national events and has spoken at Cambridge University. She has also been the recipient of several awards which have recognised not only her, but equally the impact she has had in school and in 2023 was nominated for Lincolnshire 'Headteacher of the Year'. She supports other schools and leaders through Consultancy, work with the Lincolnshire Teaching School Hub as a curriculum specialist and as a reviewer for national Peer Review and has been the Challenge Partners Hub Manager for Lincolnshire. Chelsea has worked as an Associate Presenter for Renaissance Learning and is currently an inspector of schools in the East Midlands.

Chelsea has a little girl who loves books (almost as much as she does!) and a husband who works in the Independent School sector.

Mr Greg Scott, Deputy Headteacher

Responsibility for Curriculum & Assessment, Pupil Premium, ECT/ITT Induction and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr Scott was born in Lincoln and studied for his teaching degree at Rolle College, which is a part of Plymouth University. He came to teaching through his first passion which was coaching and teaching watersports. He has taught in Portsmouth and spent some time teaching at a British school near Valencia in Spain.  Before coming an Assistant Head and Deputy Headteacher, he has taught across the Junior age range.

He has developed and implemented the maths curriculum and has gained much through reviewing schools as part of Challenge Partners peer evaluation. He has led the school’s pupil premium strategy which links closely with his own and the school’s values of improving education outcomes for all pupils. In his career, he has mentored many students in their journey to becoming successful teachers.

Mr Scott has a son who loves maths and science and is studying material engineering at Sheffield and a daughter who is as passionate about literature and will start her university journey next year.

Mrs Joanne Denny

Responsibility for Quality of Teaching & Learning, English, Personal Development and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Jo was born in Lincoln and brought up in the local area (even going to Manor Leas Infant School as a young girl).  She then went on to train to teach at Bishop Grosseteste College before leaving Lincolnshire to teach in the West Country.  There she worked within inner city schools in Bristol for 10 years as well as for the School Improvement Service supporting schools in the city.

After getting married and having two children, Jo decided to return to her home turf and took up post at Manor Leas Junior Academy.  Her passion for reading has supported Jo to develop the Reading for Pleasure curriculum as well as the phonics provision across the school.  She was nominated for Primary Teacher of the Year 2023 for her commitment to teaching and inspiring children in her care.  In 2023, Jo became part of the Senior Leadership Team and is thrilled to be supporting the school in this new role. 

As Jo's children are now young adults, one at university studying Law and one studying for GCSEs, she has more time on her hands for taking her dog for a walk, working hard in the garden and of course reading!  

Jo was born in Lincoln and brought up in the local area (even going to Manor Leas Infant School as a young girl).  She then went on to train to teach at Bishop Grosseteste College before leaving Lincolnshire to teach in the West Country.  There she worked within inner city schools in Bristol for 10 years as well as for the School Improvement Service supporting schools in the city.

After getting married and having two children, Jo decided to return to her home turf and took up post at Manor Leas Junior Academy.  Her passion for reading has supported Jo to develop the Reading for Pleasure curriculum as well as the phonics provision across the school.  She was nominated for Primary Teacher of the Year 2023 for her commitment to teaching and inspiring children in her care.  In 2023, Jo became part of the Senior Leadership Team and is thrilled to be supporting the school in this new role. 

As Jo's children are now young adults, one at university studying Law and one studying for GCSEs, she has more time on her hands for taking her dog for a walk, working hard in the garden and of course reading!  

Mrs Nicky Hodgson, School Business Manager

Responsibility for school finance, HR, Wraparound Care and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Nicky is the School Business Manager at Manor Leas Junior Academy. Originally from South Wales, she moved to Lincolnshire in 2006. She has worked in administration since leaving school, 14 years of which was in the Ministry of Defence, 8 years in Entertainment management and the last 10 years within schools. Nicky has a degree in Health and Social care which she studied with the Open University when her two boys were growing up. Since then, she has undertaken a Diploma in School Business Management, a Certificate in Strategic Leadership in Education and Certificate in Financial reporting for academies. Nicky has previously been a governor for two schools, helping immensely in her education career.

Outside of work, she is married with two grown up sons. Her eldest son Jack is a 2x Paralympian in the sport of Judo, and her youngest Dylan is in the Military. Her ‘baby’ now is an 11 year old German Shepherd called 'Django'. She enjoys researching holidays, planning lots of trips and catching up with friends back home in Wales.