Prior to his move into Leadership positions Nick was as outstanding teacher, a local Authority Lead Teacher for Numeracy, Literacy & Inclusion and provided exemplar/modelling of best practice for the National Strategies. Nick also sat on the DFE National Strategies Steering Group as a teacher representative.

Following two deputy headships, one in Kings Cross, London, then in Darlington and a period of acting headship, Nick became a substantive Headteacher in 2007. In 2012 Nick became Executive Headteacher of two primary schools and subsequently led on the formation of a MAT. Nick is now CEO of Lingfield Education Trust. The trust has 7 schools currently, 5 Inclusion Resource Bases and a Low Incidence Needs SEND team. They have successfully sponsored three schools and serve a vulnerable school population with the mission to ensure that all pupils are able to meet their potential and enjoy a rounded educational experience that educates the whole child and balances wellbeing with achievement.

Nick is programme Lead for the Ambition School Leadership Executive Educators Programme and quality assures NPQH and writes NPQEL modules alongside content design and candidate assessment.

Nick has successfully coached and developed many leaders at all levels in schools and has a strength and a great track record in supporting leadership in schools that are in challenging circumstances.

Nick is founding trustee of North East Wellbeing, a successful charity dedicated to providing high quality therapeutic services to children and families. Nick also works as an advocate for local refugee families and is a member of the Independent Monitoring Board for the Prison Service.

“The best thing about working with NEW is the space it gives me to think about some of my core concerns”

Michelle is the manager at Clive Owen LLP Accountants and works in Darlington.

“The best thing about working with NEW is the chance to get outside the legal bubble and contribute at the coalface.”

Sarah is SENDCo and a teacher at The Dove Academy Trust (St Mary’s Cockerton, and High Coniscliffe Church of England Primary Schools) in Darlington.

“The best thing about working with NEW is the chance to sit outside the whirl of the school day and make a difference to the wider picture of how children can be cared for – looking at developing skills, resilience, independence that are not part of the national curriculum. I love the ethos of NEW and have seen the difference it makes to children in schools. I would love to see the work and offer able to expand so more pupils can benefit.”

Julie is the Headteacher at Redhall Primary School in Darlington: a school with a unique ethos which puts our children and staff’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

“The best thing about working with NEW is being with a group of people who share the belief that children should be at the centre of our thinking. The work NEW promotes sits at the core of the service we should all be providing for young people, in promoting positive emotional, mental health and wellbeing.”