James graduated from Loughborough University in 2001 with a BSc in Physical Education and Sports Science and then completed an MSc in Information Technology. He completed a P.G.C.E. and taught for several years, while also holding whole school and college responsibilities for pastoral care, CPD, I.T training and coaching and mentoring development. James's teaching, research and interests span a broad range of education types and phases including; primary, middle, secondary, special and academy. He is especially interested in the two-way knowledge transfer between schools/academies and universities and the benefits of such relationships to learners.