As a child what did you want to be when you grew up

A teacher!
If it's true that teachers are born and not made then that would explain why I've never been able to leave school behind. Both my parents were teachers, in fact they helped to found the Christian school that I attended as a pupil. I began my own career teaching Sunday school when I was a teenager and I've been working in education ever since.

How did you get involved in education?

Essentially I was born into it; education was always a hot topic in our house because my parents were so closely involved in teaching me, in curriculum planning, running a school and because they had such a passion for Christian education. When I left University I did a PGCE and taught secondary history at a tough comprehensive which had just failed its OfSTED - I think if you can teach under those circumstances, you can teach anywhere!

What were your main findings of your doctoral thesis

My research demonstrates that it isn't enough to preach the gospel in assemblies and study the Bible in RE. If Christian values and a Christian worldview aren't integrated as a whole into school life and lessons then it is very difficult to counter students' impression that religion is not relevant to their culture. It doesn't challenge their belief that the Christian faith is merely for those who happen to be born into Christian communities.

What is your hope for Christians in education?

I want Christians to feel empowered to integrate their hope and their faith into the whole of their professional practice. We've been pressured into apologising for our faith and perhaps some of us secretly feel that the best we can hope for is to keep our heads down, get on with the teaching and perhaps pray for our students and schools. I believe that the power of the resurrection means we have a sure and certain hope that will comfort us, defend our work for the gospel and can transform the communities in which we live and work - but we have to stand firm!

How does our educational landscape show that Every Child Matters?

It is really important to recognise that many professionals in education, Christians or otherwise, have a vocation that is compassionate and committed to making young people matter, but many are disillusioned by the current landscape. Despite the rhetoric of 'every child matters' the political landscape is overwhelmingly shaped by a utilitarian, outcomes led agenda.
If every child is going to matter, then they have to matter as a whole, not merely for their potential to service national economic need. We have to recognise that education is inescapably tied to personhood. If it is dominated by competition and individual achievement then the next generation will believe this is all that matters and what they earn is who they are.

What is your least/most green credential?

My most green credential is me - Dr. Green! I don't have a car, I gave up bottled water - but I haven't quite yet sacrificed my favourite non-fair trade tea bags.

Who, or what, is your mentor?

My Mum and my brother and sister-in-law (I'm hoping that my brother doesn't read this as his head is quite big enough already). My Dad died when I was a teenager and so we are a really close-knit family. I feel that I have learnt a great deal from their spiritual integrity and desire to put Jesus first in their lives. Their fellowship keeps me on the narrow way.

Tell us one of your most hilarious faux pas...

I spelt my own name wrong in my science GCSE exam.

What is your best and worst memory of your school years?

It's hard to pick one year. I loved school and was sorry to leave. I guess breaking my brother's nose was my worst memory!

What do you invest in the next generation?

You'd have to ask them! But I aim to be Jesus for them and if they will seek Him that's the best outcome.

Martin Luther King Jr had a dream for society. What is yours?

I'm glad that my dreams don't count so much. God has clearly given us a picture of a day when the lion will lie down with the lamb. Dr. King knew that and it is the same hope that motivates me.

What is the main hindrance to living the dream?

Sin and opposition and fear.

How can we increase wellbeing in education in the next decade?

I think we need to invest in relationships. God is relational and He's designed us to relate to Him and one another. We are living the consequences of making investments in other things. Our wellbeing relies on rediscovering God's pattern for our personhood.

Tell us a joke...

Q Who was the shortest man in the Bible?
A The centurion who fell asleep on his watch.