Mrs Speed – Amber House

I have lived in Derbyshire my whole life, going to John Port School and Sixth form before heading south to the University of Bedfordshire to study a joint honours degree in Sports Science with Human Biology.

After graduating I moved to De Montfort University in Bedford to study my PGCE to become a PE teacher.

I moved back to Derby and started my teaching career in an inner-city school before moving to Alfreton in 2001.

I am thrilled to be Head of Amber House along with my excellent Deputy Mrs Turner – Amber is the most local of the rivers after which our houses are named. In fact, the small brook at the bottom of the school field flows straight into the River Amber at Oakerthorpe – only about a mile away!

I am looking forward to bringing Amber House together in the spirit of competition and sportsmanship.

Time to pursue victory!

Miss Perry – Derwent House

I have lived in Derbyshire my whole life, I attended Anthony Gell School and then went on to study Sport Development at the University of Central Lancashire. I knew I wanted to return to Derbyshire when I finished university, so came back to pursue my career as a PE Teacher. I started at David Nieper Academy in September 2018 and have loved every minute of working at this school. The students are a pleasure to teach and the staff are amazing to work with.

As Head of Derwent House, along with my Deputy Miss Payne, we will aim to build a fun, competitive but fair House spirit within the Academy. I feel extremely privileged to be the Head of House for this great Derbyshire river, which I personally have so many fond memories of as a child.

Derwent House champions!

Mr Turner – Erewash House

I have happy memories of growing up in the area until I went to study Graphic Art and Design at Leeds Metropolitan University. I started at David Nieper Academy in September 2019 and it was an easy decision to join the team here. I teach Art, Design Technology and Food and Nutrition. I enjoy inspiring students to be imaginative, learn and progress here; especially as I was one of them a few years ago and can appreciate some of the challenges they face!

As Head of Erewash along with my deputy, Mrs Webster, we are keen to develop a house mentality of giving absolutely everything your best effort, being creative, taking pride in what you do and celebrating the successes of everyone whether they are a team mate or rival.

Go Erewash!

Mr Clarke – Trent House

I have lived in Derbyshire all my life and went to Tupton Hall School and Sixth form. I went on to study BA Sports Studies at Derby and then my PGCE at Wolverhampton. I started working part-time at David Nieper Academy 15 years ago and within a year I was full-time.

In the 15 years I have enjoyed teaching the children of Alfreton and continue to enjoy my work. I am very excited to be the Head of Trent House for a number of reasons. The Trent can be seen from my favourite football team’s ground, I am the most competitive person about everything and I have fond memories of my Head of House at Tupton and would like to be remembered in this way.

Myself and my deputy, Mr Smithurst, are proud to represent Trent House.

Come on Trent!

Miss Pell – Lathkill House

I was born in Derbyshire and lived only 10 minutes away from Alfreton my entire childhood, originally attending Tibshelf School. I moved away from Derbyshire to attend the University of Sunderland; studying Music with English from 2010-2013 before returning home after Graduation. I began my teaching journey in 2015 and have since completed my PGDE in Secondary Music and Master’s Degree in Education, both through Nottingham Trent University, and beginning my role as Teacher of Music at David Nieper Academy in 2019.

I am delighted to be a Head of House and have Miss Curwen as my Deputy, because we want to champion the wider school community that David Nieper Academy has to offer. For me, being involved with extra-curricular activities in school heightens your school experience. Getting involved with House events could ignite a new passion or interest, introduce you to a new skill, make new friends and make memories you will look back on for years to come!

We may be the new house on the block – but I’m positive that Lathkill will be a roaring success and our amazing students will lead us to victory!

Go Lathkill!

Mrs Weeks – Wye House

I was born in Derbyshire and have never left! I attended Meadows Community School, now known as Whittington Green Community School, in Chesterfield. I left school and went on to study BTEC Level 3 Sports Science at Chesterfield College. I struggled with what I wanted to do when I left college, so decided to start an apprenticeship in my gap year, before I went to Sheffield Hallam University to study PE & School Sport for 3 years, followed by 1 year of teacher training. I started at David Nieper Academy only a couple of years ago as a PE Assistant and since then have got myself involved in many different roles; you could say I was the ‘jack of all trades’.

I look forward to progressing this wonderful house and as Head of Wye along with my deputy Miss Hibbert-Sweet, we are ready to develop our house from the underdog to the top of the leader board! We will always show respect to our rivals, courtesy when winning and our heads held high if we are losing. We may find it difficult, but our house emblem the Dipper bird will encourage us all the way, a small bird with a big attitude and the spirit to weather any storm.

Step aside Lathkill, we’re the new kids on the block and we’re ready to take on the challenge!

“We may be small, but we are mighty, and though we be but little, we are fierce”