New Headteacher Introduction
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is with great pride and excitement that I introduce myself as the new Headteacher of E-ACT Parkwood Academy. It is an honour to join the ‘Parkwood family’ and wider community, and I look forward to working together to 
ensure the continued success and well-being of our students. The student and stakeholder welcome has been warm, friendly, and supportive.
Firstly, I feel it is important to mention my journey to E-ACT Parkwood and previous roles and experience. I have had the privilege of serving in various teaching and non-teaching roles across all educational settings and provisions. Most recently, I was Deputy Headteacher for Standards at Newsome Academy, a 11-16 co-educational school in Huddersfield. As a Deputy Headteacher I focussed on embedding a culture of ‘Family’ with core values that could be lived and breathed. This was something noted by Ofsted, when they judged Behaviour and Attitudes outstanding in February 2024 (previously inadequate). Together, we created a school where students felt happy, safe and supported. My personal vision, mission and values centre around creating an inclusive, supportive but challenging environment, that encourages every student to reach their full potential. Something I am eager to establish at E-ACT Parkwood.
As we embark on this new journey together, I am committed to implementing positive changes that will raise aspirations and standards across our school. I believe in setting high expectations for all our students, as well as providing them with the support and resources they need to achieve their goals. By fostering a culture of ‘Family’ and a vision of ‘Everyone Exceptional Everyday’, we can ensure that every child is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed, both academically and personally, in becoming well developed global citizens.
Parental involvement is a crucial element in a child’s education, and I am dedicated to facilitating an open and transparent dialogue with all parents and carers. Together, we can create a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility.
In the coming weeks, we intend to make frequent contact with our families to outline some key strategic changes to improve the provision and offer here at E-ACT Parkwood. As always, your feedback is appreciated, and I am eager to learn more about what makes our school and wider community special and how we can continue to improve. However, as we prepare for the new school year, I want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students remain our top priorities. With this in mind, some key decisions will be made to support the climate and culture for learning.
On a final note, we say farewell to Year 11 and wish them luck in the next chapter of their educational journey. We also look forward to welcoming the new Year 7 cohort who transition up to E-ACT Parkwood next academic year, building upon the strong foundation already in place.
Yours sincerely
Joel Hinchliffe
Headteacher