PUBLISHED 17 September 2024
It is with great excitement that we welcome new faces joining us this September from the operational side of the school. We are thrilled that our school continues to grow and with that growth comes the creation of new opportunities and exciting new talent.
Sarah Jane Dean-Armitt: Examination Officer
With a degree in Animal Science BSc (Hons) from Leeds University and diverse work experiences across the UK, Sarah Jane brings a wealth of life experiences, and we are delighted to welcome her as our new Examinations Officer.
About a decade ago, Sarah Jane discovered her passion for the world of exams while supporting her eldest son through his GCSEs. Sarah Jane then decided that this would be a perfect job for her and her skill set and has continued to share her expertise ever since. She is now thrilled to be joining AKS Lytham.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Sarah Jane's love for animals remains undiminished. She currently owns four dogs and enjoys leisurely strolls in the countryside. Her plans include breeding English Toy Terriers to help preserve this vulnerable native breed.
Katy Nicholson – Network Manager
Katy is from Blackpool and was educated here at KEQMS. She has since worked as the Systems Manager following the merger which formed AKS, and more recently worked in infrastructure/modern workplace consulting across various industry sectors (finance/insurance and energy/utilities).
In 2021 and again in 2022, Katy was awarded the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award for her community activities relating to Enterprise Mobility and Security. Outside of work, Katy is an avid thrill seeker and enjoys travelling on tours to ride the biggest and best roller coasters, and she also enjoys hiking. Katy is very much looking forward to returning to the AKS community and bringing her recent experience to the role.
Victoria Maling – Performing Arts Intern
Victoria grew up in Blackpool and has loved the arts from a very young age; she grew up dancing and performed many times at the famous Blackpool Grand Theatre and Winter Gardens. After college, she was lucky enough to gain an unconditional offer from the University of Cumbria Institute of the Arts to study a BA (Hons) Dance and Musical Theatre degree where she obtained an upper class 2:1.
Whilst studying, Victoria was successful in auditioning to be a part of Bill Kenwright’s UK Tour of Cilla the Musical. Outside of work, Victoria’s hobbies include going to the theatre, with her favourite musicals being ‘42nd Street’ and ‘Come from Away’.
Victoria has just completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Secondary Dance (11-19) with QTS and is really looking forward to starting her new role at AKS and expanding on her knowledge and experience.
Jordanna Lunn – Sports Coach
Jordanna has grown up in Lytham St Annes and has always been involved in sports from a young age. She joined a dance school and a gymnastic club at 4 years old and in her 14 years attending she also took on a coaching role as well as being an active member of both. During her time at these clubs, she has competed in many competitions and performed in shows at places such as the Grand Theatre, Blackpool Opera House and the Globe Theatre. Throughout school and college, Jordanna also picked up sports including hockey, netball, badminton and athletics.
After college Jordanna then moved on to Edge Hill University and gained a degree in Sports Therapy. After pursuing this career for a few years, she decided, after always having a passion for teaching, to go back to Edge Hill University and gain her teaching qualification in Secondary Physical Education.
In her spare time Jordanna loves spending time at home with her two cats cuddling up and reading a good book or spending time with her friends and family.
Jordanna is extremely excited to join the team at AKS and is looking forward to the new opportunities and experiences she will gain from this new role.
Louisa Leigh – Health and First Aid Assistant
Louisa began her career in education as a nursery nurse, working in various settings, including Special Education, Primary schools and Nurseries. She later pursued a degree, gained her teaching qualification, and specialised in Early Years Education.
After relocating to the Fylde coast ten years ago, Louisa continued teaching for a time before leaving to work part-time, allowing her to focus more on her creative interests. Prior to joining AKS, she worked as a Dementia Support Worker in the community, a role she found highly rewarding.
Louisa has enjoyed working with children and young people throughout her career and is very much looking forward to her new role at AKS. Being back in a school environment is already incredibly exciting.
When she is not working, reading or going for a walk with her dog, Louisa creates greetings cards using her watercolour paintings and also crochets. She sells her creations at local craft fairs. She has three grown-up children and one grandson, whom she looks after one day a week.
Sam Douglas – Sports Administrator
Sam joins us in a new role for the Sports Department with a variety of experience perfectly suited for the position. Following studying an Environmental Science degree BSc (Hons) at the then University of Glamorgan, she went on to fulfil various roles including, H&S Officer for an international logistics company and Logistics Manager & Demand Analyst for a global pharmaceutical company. In recent years she manages a property portfolio in Warwickshire and the Southwest. Sam, originally from Warwickshire, has lived in Lytham St Annes since 2012, is married with three children, with the youngest due to enter secondary education next year. She is very pleased to be undertaking a new exciting position at AKS Lytham.