Martin grew up in one of the most economically deprived parts of Essex and is passionate about the critical role a good education plays in unlocking opportunities for young people’s futures.
Since joining the profession in 2000, he has taught in a range of comprehensive schools in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk. Throughout his career, Martin has taught the full secondary age range including at GCSE, A level and International Baccalaureate Diploma.
After completing his teacher training at Cambridge, Martin took up his first post, teaching history at Claydon High School in Suffolk, where he taught for over three years. Following this he moved to Notley High School in Braintree, Essex where he served as head of department, advanced skills teacher and assistant headteacher.
As assistant headteacher, Martin led on a range of areas including staff development, Key Stage 3 and primary transition, KS4 and 5 options, timetabling and was the deputy designated safeguarding lead. Martin completed his Master’s of Education Degree in Researching Practice in 2014 at Cambridge University, focussing his research on teacher professional development. A key area of Martin’s responsibilities was teacher training, and in 2014 he took over leadership of Mid Essex Initial Teacher Training, transferring their lead school to Notley and leading them from Good to Outstanding in 2017.
In 2018, after nearly eight years of experience as an assistant headteacher, Martin was promoted to deputy headteacher at Harwich and Dovercourt High School, serving a heavily disadvantaged catchment area with around 40% of students qualifying for the pupil premium, leading on Quality of Education.
In 2024 and with 14 years’ experience as a senior leader, Martin returned to Suffolk as Principal of Westbourne Academy within the Academy Transformation Trust.
