Dirk Smith has just started his 25th year as teacher, graduating from the University of Cambridge in 2001. He spent the majority of his first 20 years in the profession teaching and leading across two Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) special schools located in Leicester. Although Dirk is a teacher of mathematics, he has taught most subjects on the curriculum including computing, religious education and food technology.
In between spells at these schools, Dirk spent five years managing at a study support centre inside Leicester City Football Club's stadium, where he taught children who were disengaged with their learning through the power of sport.
Dirk left his role as Deputy Headteacher of the two SEMH schools in the summer of 2000, having played a large role in both schools gaining recent Ofsted Outstanding gradings. He also holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) accreditation.
Dirk's current role is the School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) Director for Inspiring Leaders, who are a network of over 20 Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) based in the East Midlands. His main responsibility is to lead the training of over 130 new teachers each year. In 2023, Dirk led Inspiring Leaders SCITT to an Ofsted Outstanding grading. Dirk is the chair of the Midlands regional ITT group for the Department for Education (DfE) and he is an external moderator for other ITT providers across the country.
Alongside his main teacher training responsibilities, Dirk co-ordinates and facilitates for seven subject based Professional Leadership and Learning Communities (PLLCs) for Inspiring Leaders; special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), English, mathematics, early years, post-16, safeguarding and data. Dirk also facilitates on NPQ qualifications and undertakes work for Trusts and schools focussing on SEND and behaviour.
Dirk lives on the Northamptonshire border and is passionate about making a difference to the lives of the children and young people in our local communities.