AS a dedicated sportsman, it’s no surprise that the new head teacher of Haughton Academy wants both his staff and students to be at the top of their game.
Keen runner, racquet sport player and lifelong Newcastle United fan, Jonathan Lumb, who had trials for both Newcastle United and Sunderland Football Club as a teenager, has already set himself a new goal.
The former deputy head of Woodham Academy, Newton Aycliffe, is single-minded in his determination to propel the 750 pupil Darlington secondary school, which was given notice by Ofsted to improve in February 2014, back into the premiership of education.
“The biggest challenge that I face in my new role is to raise the aspirations of all our students and staff,” said Mr Lumb, 44.
“I want to challenge them and also challenge the culture here to ensure that everyone wants to be the very best that they can be.
“I have extremely high expectations, a minute eye for detail and an overall desire to drive Haughton Academy to succeed and see it become an outstanding school offering an outstanding education.”
Hailing from Morpeth, Northumberland, Mr Lumb, who is married with three children, graduated from Gloucester University with a degree in mathematics and PE and then Newcastle University with a master degree in education management.
“Essentially I was a frustrated footballer,” he said. “I knew I wanted to pursue a career in sport but also wanted to do something academic.
“I thought that I could teach maths after my joints finally gave out as a PE teacher but with the growth of BTEC and A level PE I have enjoyed a fabulous career teaching a subject that I love.”
After graduating Mr Lumb took up his first teaching post at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Hebburn, before moving further south and becoming head of PE at St Leonard’s Catholic School, Durham.
A director of sport and assistant headteacher role at Framwellgate School Durham, followed before becoming deputy head teacher at Woodham Academy, Newton Aycliffe, prior to his new headship at Haughton Academy.
Haughton Academy forms part of the Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT), alongside Beaumont Hill Academy, Springfield Academy, Gurney Pease Academy and Marchbank Free School and teaches students of all ages and all abilities across Darlington.
“Haughton Academy is a truly unique school and will allow me the opportunity to work closely with all of the different schools within The Education Village,” added Mr Lumb.
“I really enjoy looking out of my office and seeing all the age ranges and abilities of the students passing by, from tiny primary pupils to those with disabilities and more complex needs, it’s a real mixture and I absolutely love it.
“I think that the future looks extremely good for Haughton Academy and The Education Village – we are in a fabulous building, the students are great and I want to see it become a place where all pupils get the best deal possible to ensure that they leave here well educated, well mannered, active young people ready to take their place in the world.”