Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Positive Impact Argyll
Timeline
Generic
Steve Walker

Steve Walker

Lochgilphead

Summary

Experienced professional in education and nonprofit sectors with a strong focus on crisis response planning and educational innovation. Proven ability in strategic leadership, financial management, and program development, leading to successful community engagement and sustainable initiatives. Expertise in research methodologies, public policy, and resource mobilisation, with leadership roles in community organisations. Dedicated to enhancing organisational processes and promoting diversity and inclusion in community projects.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work history

Assistant Vice Principal

Bradford Academy
Bradford, West Yorkshire
09.2018 - 07.2021

Conducted analysis of educational quality to enhance pedagogical practices.

Facilitated continuous professional development initiatives across the school.

Managed multiple subject areas, ensuring effective leadership and support.

  • Contributed to strategic decision-making processes as a school governor.
  • Promoted social justice by actively engaging with learner voices.
  • Served as advanced skills teacher and lead practitioner for History.
  • Specialised in teaching Citizenship, History, and PSHEE across key stages 3 to 5.
  • Encouraged creative thinking through diverse projects and assignments.

Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning

Bradford Academy
Bradford, West Yorkshire
09.2016 - 07.2018

Led a team of 16 Lead Practitioners to enhance staff training and development. Created CPD programmes aimed at improving pedagogical skills across the organisation. Partnered with Teacher Training Colleges, Universities, SCITTs, and schools on collaborative projects. Served as SLT lead for UCL Holocaust Education Beacon School status initiative. Conducted quality assurance of performance data related to teaching standards. Facilitated professional development workshops for continuous teacher improvement.

Assistant Principal Post 16

Bradford academy
Bradford, West Yorkshire
09.2015 - 07.2016

Deputised for the Director of P16, prioritising the cultivation of independent learning. Led efforts to establish frameworks that encourage learner autonomy within P16. Spearheaded community outreach programs, building strong relationships with local organisations. Championed diversity and inclusion within the school culture and curriculum. Introduced effective learning strategies for improved student engagement.

Lead Practitioner/Subject Lead History

Bradford Academy
Bradford , West Yorkshire
09.2012 - 07.2015

Achieved distinction as a classroom practitioner in History across key stages 3-5. Provided CPD training within the leadership team, enhancing educational practices school-wide. Promoted whole school learner voice projects, improving student involvement. Led the History subject area in the Humanities Faculty, advocating for innovative teaching methods.
Designated Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) due to exceptional teaching standards. Served as Specialised Leader of Education (SLE), mentoring colleagues to elevate teaching quality.

Lead for Academy Specialism – Citizenship

Bradford Academy
Bradford, West Yorkshire
09.2008 - 07.2012

Led Citizenship curriculum for KS3 and 4, including GCSE preparation.

Developed bespoke PSHE programmes to enhance student engagement.

  • Championed learner voice initiatives within Academy to promote social justice.
  • Supported cross-curricular citizenship integration across various subjects.
  • Employed by Bradford Academy while seconded to Bradford Cathedral Community College for Citizenship development.
  • Prepared staff and learners for successful transition to new Academy framework.

Head of Citizenship

Darwen Moorland High School
Darwen, Blackburn with Darwen
09.2005 - 07.2006

Delivered a two-year GCSE in Citizenship in two terms while teaching Key Stages 3 and 4. Led the ASDAN programme to support diverse learning needs. Acted as a form tutor, fostering a supportive classroom environment.

Head of Humanities

South Halifax High School
Halifax, Calderdale
01.2000 - 07.2005

Coordinated Gifted and Talented programme since 2003, enhancing student engagement.

Taught Geography and History, developing comprehensive lesson plans to facilitate learning.

  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Served as Form Tutor, providing guidance and support to students.
  • Acted as NUT staff representative, advocating for staff interests and professional development.

Head of Year 11

White Hart Lane School
London, London
09.1994 - 12.1999

Developed and implemented an engaging history curriculum to enhance student understanding. Assisted in the leadership of Year 11, fostering a supportive learning environment. Led Year 11 team, coordinating academic and pastoral support initiatives. Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.

Education

A-Levels - Humanities

Acklam VIth Form College
Middlesbrough
09.1986 - 05.1990

Bachelor of Science - History and Politics

University of Bradford
Bradford
10.1990 - 06.1993

PGCE - Humanities - Secondary Teaching

University of York
York
09.1993 - 06.1994

Diploma of Higher Education - Humanities

The Open University
Scotland
01.2025 -

Skills

My career in the education sector allowed me to acquire many transferable skills, experience and abilities:

  • Financial budgeting
  • Data analysis
  • Research in policy
  • Continuous professional development planning
  • Documentation development
  • Team Leadership
  • Public speaking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Public Relations
  • Records management
  • Community Outreach
  • Strategic leadership
  • Administrative leadership
  • Multitasking strength
  • Organisational improvements
  • Fundraising

I have developed skills connected to the Third Sector since leaving my education career These have grown through my voluntary work within my community:

2023-2024: Museum and Field Guide at Kilmartin Museum

2024 - present: Secretary of Ford Village Hall Limited

2025 - present: Secretary and Community Councillor for Dunadd Community Council

2025 - present: Vice Chair and volunteer Community Development Officer for Dunadd Community Enterprise

2025- present: fundraiser for Mid Argyll Pipe Band

2025 - present: Secretary of Mid Argyll Camera Club

These skills include:

  • Knowledge of local government
  • Diversity and inclusion awareness
  • Advanced research methods
  • Urban planning knowledge
  • Resource mobilisation
  • Capacity development
  • Public policy understanding
  • Fundraising techniques
  • Understanding of social issues
  • Sustainable development understanding
  • Nonprofit compliance understanding
  • Social inclusion strategies
  • Community advocacy
  • Community engagement
  • Process Improvement
  • Project budgeting
  • Place-based approach
  • Project leadership

Affiliations

  • Since retiring from my career in Education I have found time to indulge my previous hobbies and discover new interests. These include military scale model making, gardening, digital photography, kayaking, table top board games, walking locally and local politics.

Accomplishments

I was nominated in 2017 for the Bradford Teacher of the Year. I achieved highly commended.

In 2018, I was a keynote speaker at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) Conference at the Birmingham NEC. I delivered a talk on the importance of Student Voice in the educational process and strategies to encourage this. This was followed up with articles in the SSAT Journal and the influential Impact magazine.

I led Bradford Academy to successfully achieve a Platinum Award for its continuous professional development (CPD) from the University College London (UCL). The first school in the north of England to achieve this. This led to an invitation from Cambridge University to talk at their symposium on Leadership for Professional Learning: Common Challenges, Shared Solutions in 2019.

Positive Impact Argyll

This is my sole trading name.

My UTR is: 9795889068

Timeline

Diploma of Higher Education - Humanities

The Open University
01.2025 -

Assistant Vice Principal

Bradford Academy
09.2018 - 07.2021

Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning

Bradford Academy
09.2016 - 07.2018

Assistant Principal Post 16

Bradford academy
09.2015 - 07.2016

Lead Practitioner/Subject Lead History

Bradford Academy
09.2012 - 07.2015

Lead for Academy Specialism – Citizenship

Bradford Academy
09.2008 - 07.2012

Head of Citizenship

Darwen Moorland High School
09.2005 - 07.2006

Head of Humanities

South Halifax High School
01.2000 - 07.2005

Head of Year 11

White Hart Lane School
09.1994 - 12.1999

PGCE - Humanities - Secondary Teaching

University of York
09.1993 - 06.1994

Bachelor of Science - History and Politics

University of Bradford
10.1990 - 06.1993

A-Levels - Humanities

Acklam VIth Form College
09.1986 - 05.1990
Steve Walker