Football star swaps dressing room for classroom

When former Sheffield United defender Jake Wright joined Newfield School in September, pupils were quick to test out their new head of year 8.

"Literally, most days kids were like, 'why have you come to this school? Surely you've got millions'. I'm like, if I had millions I wouldn't be working at school," he says.

In truth, 40-year-old Wright admits he had "no idea" what he wanted to do after his playing career, but says he "loves" his new pastoral role working in the Sheffield secondary school.

Standing just over 6ft and dressed in a smart grey jacket and black tie, Mr Wright cuts an authoritative figure in the school corridors.

It's not hard to imagine him going toe-to-toe with battled-hardened lower-league centre forwards - despite teasing from the school reception staff.

Wright has certainly embraced his new position of responsibility.

But how has he found the adjustment from a noisy dressing room with big personalities and colourful language to helping to shape young minds in a new academy?

"Definitely less rollickings," he jokes.

"You used to shout at players a lot back in the day but I think now some players can't cope with that, they need an arm around them, a quiet word, and a bit of confidence.

"Some students do need a firm telling too if they're doing something wrong and some just need five minutes of your time in your office."

Wright's office is 50 yards from the school entrance. He shares it with the head of Year 7 and director of lower school.

His position is not a teaching role, rather he is there to offer support and guidance to pupils outside of the classroom. Like football, the job offers both structure and variety.

"I get in at 07:30 but every day is different," he says.

"There's a lot of wins in it, you're turning kids who aren't attending school, getting them to attend and even enjoy lessons again."

Becoming a father himself at 19 and now with two teenage boys, Wright is well aware of the importance of male role models. It was his main pitch in the interview for the job.

"Quite a few people applied for the job and it got down to six of us and I was the only male and the head was female and I told her I think it needed a male role.

"I know the area and I just said a lot of them might not have a male role model. They might need someone else to talk to and luckily she agreed and that's why I got the job."

Growing up on a council estate in Bradford, Wright admits despite loving PE and maths he "struggled" at school.

"I lived in an area not dissimilar to this. I didn't do well at school. There was stuff I'd seen growing up and with a family that was probably similar to a lot of the kids here so I think I know what to look out for on a Monday morning."

Wright's quiet authority and thirst for hard work were some of the qualities that persuaded Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder to bring the centre back to Bramall Lane in 2016.

Having previously captained Oxford United for five years and having enjoyed spells at Halifax the defender brought vital experience to Wilder's squad.

Wright played 30 times for the Blades that season without losing a game. The club were promoted with more than 100 points.

Wright admits his old gaffer was "surprised" about his post-football career.

"I don't think he ever saw me doing it to be honest but then again it's not something I thought I'd be going into either."

Former United teammates have also expressed intrigue and amusement at their one-time skipper's new career path.

Paul Coutts, a ball playing midfielder and joker of Wilder's dressing room described Wright as an "unassuming lad" with a "dry sense of humour".

"I can't believe he's working in schools but to be honest he probably just wanted to get away from us idiots," he laughs.

Chris Basham was part of a three-man defence at United that limited Wright's playing time towards the end of his career in Sheffield.

"It wouldn't be my choice of work that's for sure," says Basham.

He adds: "Jake was a great leader though, he's a credit to himself.

"The kids will definitely look up to him and he'll be able to guide them for sure."

As the summer term comes to an end at Newfield School, now part of the Mercia Learning Trust, Wright reflects on the biggest surprises he has encountered with pupils over the academic year.

"How open the students are. They tell you everything," he says.

"I can't ever remember having a deep conversation with anyone at my school back in the day but these kids are so honest and open. It's incredible."

While Wright has not given up hope of a return to football one day, having completed his UEFA B coaching badges and coached Sheffield United under-13s and 14s, for now he is more than content with his new role.

"I never went to university so to become a head teacher or anything like that I'd have to consider that," he says.

The plan is that he will follow his pupils all the way through the years as head of Year 9 next year until they get to Year 11.

"I've built up relationships and an understanding with the students and the parents as well.

"Leavers Assembly in Year 11 will be a real struggle. I know I'll be emotional."

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