Meet the New Faces at AKS
As the new academic year begins, we are delighted to welcome several new members of staff to the AKS community. Bringing a wealth of experience from education both in the UK and overseas, they join us across a range of roles and are looking forward to getting to know our students, families and wider school community.
Matthew Garrod - Sports Coach
Matthew is delighted to be returning to his former school as a Sports Coach. Having been a student at the school himself, he is particularly excited to give back to the community that played an important part in his own development. He is looking forward to working alongside passionate staff and inspiring aspiring students in a fantastic environment with superb sporting facilities.
Matthew graduated from university in 2019 with a 2:1 degree in Sports Coaching before completing his PGCE in Physical Education at Lancaster Royal Grammar School through the University of Buckingham. He began his teaching career online during the COVID-19 pandemic, developing valuable experience in adapting his coaching and teaching to different environments.
Following this, Matthew spent four years working with the Sale Sharks Junior Academy, where he supported the development of young players and was involved in helping 22 academy players progress to professional contracts with the Premiership club.
Alongside his coaching career, Matthew continues to play rugby for Fylde Rugby Club and has recently taken on a player-coach role within the first-team coaching staff.
Matthew is passionate about developing young people through sport, helping students to reach their potential while creating an enjoyable, positive and ambitious sporting environment.
Alex Jordinson – Head of Chemistry
Alex grew up in Preston and has lived in Kirkham for the past 25 years. After completing her A levels at the Arnold she attended Sheffield University to study Chemistry with a year out in industry. Having decided that industry was not the right route for her she embarked on a PGCE and then began her teaching career in Blackburn. Alex has taught in several schools across Lancashire as well as a two-year cultural exchange teaching high school in North Carolina.
Through her career Alex has had a variety of roles in education from early posts looking at science and industrial links to Head of Chemistry and 16 years as a Deputy Headteacher. However, these roles have taken her farther away from the classroom and frequently away from teaching her own subject. Therefore at this stage in her career she really wanted to return to teaching Chemistry and also get back to teaching A level which was her passion for over 20 years.
Outside of school Alex enjoys cross-stitching photographs, caring for her elderly, three-legged ginger tomcat Chewie and singing at any given opportunity. Music has always been central to her life and in particular singing and directing choirs. She is currently preparing for Elgar’s Music Makers with one choir, the Messiah with another and planning the Christmas programme for the ladies choir she directs.
Alex is delighted to be returning to the school that helped inspire her passion for Science and Chemistry.
Alex Jones – Teacher of Physics
Alex grew up in Thornton-Cleveleys, attending Cardinal Allen and Blackpool Sixth form. As a teenager he was a member of Poulton-Le-Fylde 2459 Air Training Corps squadron, attaining the rank of Flight-Sergeant, where he was first introduced to The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and a love for hiking, camping and the outdoors.
After Sixth Form Alex studied Physics at The University of Warwick, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and worked at schools in the midlands teaching GCSE Science, Physics and A-level Physics.
In 2010, Alex moved to Australia, where he lived and worked for 15 years in Sydney. During his time there Alex taught HSC Physics, and HSC Science Extension as well as Science and was a HSC Physics marker. He spent almost a decade as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award coordinator at his school and some of his favourite memories are of canoeing with dolphins on Myall Lake and waking up to kangaroos outside the tent in Cattai National park. Alex was also a Head of Year, working with and supporting Year 12 and 13 cohorts as they completed their HSC.
Despite their love for Australia and Sydney, in 2025 Alex and his wife decided to return to the UK, settling in Thornton-Cleveleys to be closer to family for their young daughters. Since returning Alex has been teaching Physics, Science and Math at St Bede's in Lytham.
Outside of teaching, Alex loves to spend time with his family, and when time allows, enjoys reading, playing board games and painting miniatures.
Alex is excited to be joining the AKS community and helping foster a love for Science and Physics amongst its young people.
Jonathan Cohen – Teacher of Economics and Business Studies
Jonathan joins us from Rossall School, where he was Senior Master and Senior Registrar.
Originally from Essex, Jonathan has taught in schools in Somerset and Hertfordshire and was previously Deputy Head at a school in Essex and Headmaster at a school in Devon, before relocating to the Fylde coast in 2020 with his wife and three children.
He is very much looking forward to joining AKS and returning to the classroom to teach Economics and Business Studies.
Nicola Threlfall – Future Skills Co-ordinator
Nicola grew up in Blackpool, and returned to the Fylde Coast following university.
Having spent 10 years working at Blackpool Sixth Form, focussing on pastoral care and supporting students with their study skills and making competitive university and apprenticeship applications.
Nicola is really passionate about promoting opportunities for young people across the Fylde Coast, and is excited for a new challenge in the Future Skills Co-ordinator role, and making the library into a vibrant learning environment.
Outside of work, Nicola enjoys walking her two dogs, attempting to entertain her energetic 4 year old, trying out new restaurants and playing Netball.
Charlotte Wright
Having grown up in Blackburn, Charlotte has always had a strong passion for sport and physical activity. From a young age, she was involved in gymnastics and dance, regularly attending classes and competing at weekends. This early experience developed her love of sport and inspired her to pursue a career in Physical Education.
Charlotte completed her PGCE at Edge Hill University before moving to Kuwait, where she spent two years working as a PE teacher at the British School of Kuwait. During this time, she taught pupils from Reception through to Year 11, gaining experience across all age groups and developing a real passion for inspiring young people to enjoy and engage in sport.
Outside of school, Charlotte enjoys keeping active and currently spends her free time going to the gym and attending Pilates classes. She is very much looking forward to joining the AKS community and continuing to share her passion for sport with the students.