James Haigh

About James

​From the age of 1, I was raised by my Nan on a council estate in Bradford. I was hardly an outstanding individual during my teenage years at Buttershaw Upper School and spent time in an ancient woodland right on my doorstep.

I think this is where my love of nature came from and this has played a big part in what I do today. At school I was encouraged to go into construction as I didn’t sit many of my GCSEs. I attended Bradford College for 1 day a week on a construction course and then started but didn’t complete an Apprenticeship in Carpentry & Joinery. A few years later I completed a L2 NVQ in Site Carpentry and then an Access to HE Course at Calderdale College.

From there I had many jobs, from joiner to tree surgeon to company accountant and a few more in-between but working in teaching/education never seemed possible or likely for people like me and where I come from.

At Bradford College….

I started working at Bradford College as a part-time NVQ Assessor in 2016, 2 days per week, and I was quickly offered full-time work. During this time, I was supported by my managers to complete an Assessors award and then a Level 3 NVQ through Bradford College’s Learning and Development team.

In 2020 I won an award for Outstanding Teaching.My efforts were recognized and this gave me the motivation to continue to support our students, some of whom come from backgrounds like mine, to transform their lives, just like the college transformed mine.

My experiences mean I can relate to students, and help them be the best they can be and I often get them telling others about the support I provided them once they have completed their time here, which is very fulfilling for me personally. In the summer of 2022, I received an award for Outstanding Individual; this was one of the proudest moments in my career.

Following that, I was appointed to the role of Team Leader for Sustainable Construction & Built Environment in the Construction & Engineering Department. I am being supported to develop my management skills and future goals, I am undertaking a Level 5 Management qualification and in the next few years, I want to be in a position where I can make more changes, and more contributions to the students and our local communities lives.