Adam Gillett

Adam Gillett is Associate Vice-Principal: Personal Development at a large (1,900 students) secondary school in Barnsley and a business development specialist for the non-profit mental health organisation Minds Ahead. In addition to those roles, he leads on mental health and charity – two of his major passions – at the school, as well as teaching history (to GCSE) and politics (to A Level). Previously, he was assistant principal for inclusion, covering safeguarding as DSL as well as behaviour, attendance and pastoral care.

Adam has a first-class honours degree in History and Politics from Newcastle University, where he won the William Laurence Burn Award for outstanding achievement. While still a student, he started a translating and tutoring business, winning both the North East Business Plan and the North East Young Entrepreneur awards. Adam then pursued a Masters in History, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which he completed with distinction. After earning his teaching qualification, he rose to the position of Associate Vice-Principal and has now worked in Barnsley for almost 15 years.

Adam recently finished his MA in School Leadership in Mental Health and Wellbeing, for which he won the Dean’s Prize for outstanding achievement. He was also invited to be part of the Department for Education’s expert research group on mental health (one of only three school leaders to be asked to do so).

He was incredibly proud when his school received a Gold Award for Mental Health from Leeds Beckett University – having supported students’ mental health through innovations such as introducing staff and student wellbeing ambassadors; engaging 23 external agencies; and developing an in-depth quality assurance system. In 2024, Adam was presented with the Inspirational Teacher Award by the Guild of Education for his work around mental health.

Activities which broaden young people’s outlook and prepare for them for future study and working life are integral to Adam’s educational ethos. He has organised numerous expeditions abroad, including trips to Kenya and Uganda, as well taking 39 students to New York. Adam has also raised more than £60,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and was made a trustee of the charity in 2024, which he ranks among his proudest achievements.