Happy Christmas from our new Director of Education, James Morris
As our Trust is rapidly expanding so is our executive team, with James Morris joining us in July as Director of Education. Here James reflects on his first full term at SAPMAT and gives his Christmas wishes for students, families and staff alike.
James is Birmingham born and bred, even attending Birmingham University rather than going further afield. He has taught history all cross the midlands over the last 20 years and his passion for his favourite subject is rivalled only by his love of rugby, he’s a Leicester Tigers supporter.
Having already served as a headteacher of another all-through alternative provision school, James explains that he was drawn to our Trust because of our “amazing focus on taking every opportunity to get the best for and from our young people”.
Having “survived” school himself, he has been inspired and encouraged by the breadth of activities and the broad, balanced education that SAPMAT offers. He smiled as he recalled watching the students at Coventry Academy on a bike maintenance course recently. Our Solihull Academy pupils have been ice skating over the last few weeks and some of our Daylesford Academy students have been to the theatre to see A Christmas Carol.
I asked James why he became a teacher, “because I understand the power of one conversation.” His answer surprised me, but once he explained further, it made perfect sense. He continued “When you ask kids (or adults for that matter) what they like(d) about school, they will usually talk about a teacher, or a member of staff that made an impact for them.”
He recalled his own story of one person making a difference and more powerfully, how the same had happened for his father, turning his life around completely; saying “it only takes one person to show that they care, or offer support to make a real difference.”
Motivated by his own experiences and those of the many young people in AP that he has taught, James has joined us to help drive policy and practice but also to put alternative provision on an equal footing with mainstream education. As he says, “for some students this IS the right pathway.”
Our CEO, Stephen Steinhaus certainly agrees with that:
“The future of this Trust relies on driving forward a needs-based curriculum creating solutions for a growing number of students who need a better educational solution. The work that James is doing is integral to those solutions, and the evolution of that curriculum. We are delighted to have him on board.”
James has loved his first term as part of this team and as he looks forward to a bright future for all our students, he wishes everyone a merry Christmas.
“I hope that everybody gets a bit of happiness over the holidays.”
All of us at SAPMAT echo James’ sentiments and wish you and your family & friends a very happy Christmas.