Nick Whittaker
Nick is the Headteacher of two all age special schools for children and young people with severe learning difficulties and complex needs. He has been an educator and school leader for over 20 years. He has worked in mainstream and special schools and has been a Local Authority Adviser.
Nick was the Director of one of the first Education Action Zones in the UK. He is the author of a basic skills programme ‘Livewire Focus on Literacy’ and an anthology of poetry ‘Livewire Poetry’. Nick currently co-leads a postgraduate leadership programme for special school leaders at Sheffield Hallam University.
In addition to experimental cooking, walking the dog and providing entertainments for his three children, Nick likes motorbikes, mountain running and rock climbing. He regularly competes in mountain marathons and ultramarathons in the UK and Europe and has nearly 30 years of rock climbing and mountaineering experience.
Nick is a qualified rock climbing instructor and is passionate about creating opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to enjoy rock climbing and other adventurous activities.