RECOGNISING THE VITAL AND SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION OUR ALUMNI MAKE
Voted most likely to become a headteacher whilst a student studying for his BA (Hons) Primary Education (5-11) with QTS, Nathan fulfilled his ambition just a decade after completing his degree at the age of just 32. Keen to give back, Nathan has mentored many UoC teaching placement students and has given talks at careers days. A dedicated and approachable headteacher Nathan makes every child feel valued.
An inspiring educator who has fulfilled his ambition of becoming a headteacher
Born in 1993, Nathan grew up in Chester-le Street, with mam Catherine, a dental nurse, Dad Anthony, a retired police officer and younger sister Harriet.
At age 16 Nathan wanted to become a dentist. After starting A-Levels he discovered this was not the route for him. Nathan took friends' advice to teach. He completed a Childcare and Education Diploma at New College Durham and was immediately hired as a teaching assistant at his final placement, Lumley Junior School.
After seeing a TV advert for the University of Cumbria, Nathan applied. He quickly realised he made the right choice when on his first day in halls in Carlisle, he met Joanne. By the second month they were a couple. They supported each other through their studies, and later teaching job applications.
Nathan and Joanne loved uni life, sharing a second-year house with friends who remain close today. Their house became the one everyone congregated in before nights out.
Nathan was a student ambassador, helping to inspire prospective students during his time at university. A natural advocate and kind role model, he was always keen to give back. He especially appreciated the value of hearing from real teachers when he had been studying, so after graduating, Nathan continued to generously return, sharing his positive experiences at university open days and careers days for students applying for jobs.
Nathan graduated with a 2:1 in BA (Hons) Primary Education (5-11) with QTS in 2015. At his graduation leavers ball Nathan was voted by his classmates as most likely to become a headteacher.
Nathan’s natural rapport with children and obvious skill and aptitude for teaching meant he was snapped up by Brook Street School in Carlisle as a Key Stage 1 class teacher, the first school he applied to after graduating.
Nathan spent the next decade quickly working his way up the career ladder, becoming a highly accomplished and enthusiastic teacher. In 2017 he secured a class teacher position at Carlisle’s Newlaithes Infant and Nursery School. Nathan has used his skills to support the next generation of teachers. Working with a leading Initial Teacher Training provider but also serving as a Primary Mastery Maths Specialist for the North Northwest Maths Hub. Nathan has mentored many of our own teaching students on their professional placements. One particular student stood out to Nathan as one of the best he had mentored and he put her forward to colleagues at the Maths Hub for a job, where she was successfully appointed.
Nathan also continued his own learning, completing his National Professional Qualification for Headship. He was successfully appointed to the position of deputy headteacher at Newlaithes in January 2024.
Two months ago, after deciding as a family to relocate, Nathan fulfilled the prediction of his classmates. After a gruelling two day interview he was offered the job as headteacher of St Mary and St Thomas Church of England Primary School in St Helens, part of the Three Saints Academy Trust.
Driven and confident, Nathan has achieved this extraordinary career success at the age of 32 and only ten years out of university. Getting here quicker than even he expected, through a lot of hard work.
As a headteacher Nathan makes a difference to the lives of 235 children each day. He warmly welcomes each child every morning, conscious that sometimes this may be the first smile they see. Nathan is visible, and approachable, an influential figure who can drive the school, someone who is there whatever the children, the families and the staff need.
Nathan and Joanne have always been a strong team. Married in 2019, they now have two young children, Millie (4) and Henry (1). Nathan credits Joanne’s support, and her expert knowledge as a phenomenal early years teacher, with helping him get to where he is today. When he accepted the headship, he immediately called her to declare, “we did it,” acknowledging their shared journey. This commitment to family extends to his work, where he strongly models the importance of a work-life balance for his staff.
Nathan acknowledges that he wouldn’t have the life he has now without choosing University of Cumbria. He met his wife here, welcomed his children at the Cumberland Infirmary and spent a decade working in Cumbrian schools becoming the headteacher he is today. I think it's safe to say Cumbria will always be very special place for Nathan.