A Doncaster man has made a return to the school where he was once head boy, as he embarks on his new teaching career.

Vinny Della-Verde, age 21, was a former student at Outwood Academy Adwick, based on Windmill Balk Lane in Woodlands. Since finishing at the school in 2017, Vinny has since graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Sports Studies.

He is now training to become a PE teacher with Teach North, a teacher training programme led out of the Outwood Institute of Education.

Vinny said:

“It was really strange walking through the doors for the first time as a part of the staff. It brought back so many memories of my time there as a student, it was quite emotional to be honest.

“I really enjoyed my time as a student at Outwood Academy Adwick and in a way I do think that positive experience helped shape my desire to become a teacher. It would be nice to help give students the same, good experience I had while I was a student.” 

In addition to being a student, Vinny was also the head boy of the school during his final year there and there’s even a photo of him on one of the displays much to the amusement of himself and other staff members.

Vinny added:

“It was quite surreal when I saw myself on one of the displays. I am sure it will make a few of the students laugh, if they even recognise me from it!

“Obviously, when I started training to teach, in no way did I expect to find myself back at Adwick but I am glad I have and I am excited to learn more about teaching and develop myself as I aim to become a teacher.”

Andy Scruby, Principal at Outwood Academy Adwick, said:

“We work closely with Teach North to give trainee teachers invaluable in-school experience and we were more than happy to welcome Vinny back to the academy. It is clear he really enjoyed his time here as a student and hopefully he can have a positive impact on the students during his time with us.”