University Technical College Norwich appoints new headteacher

A Norfolk school has appointed a long-serving member of staff as its new headteacher, 10 years after he joined as a teaching assistant.

Luke Moralee became headteacher of University Technical College Norfolk earlier this year, having risen through the ranks at the school.

Mr Moralee first started working at the site in Old Hall Road in a support role in 2015, just after it first opened.

But he has since qualified to become a teacher before his appointment as head earlier this school year.

Mr Moralee said: "People talk about it like it is a bit of a rags-to-riches story, which I suppose in some ways it is.

"It is one you hear about - post boy to CEO - but it didn't happen overnight. It took a lot of work."

Mr Moralee said his career started to take off when the school was taken over by the Community Schools Trust in 2021, adding his confidence grew from there.

And he said that his experience as a teaching assistant will help guide him as a school leader.

He said: "I think starting as a teaching assistant gives you a unique perspective, because I have worked at every level in the school.

"I want UTCN to be seen as the school of choice for young people who want to pursue a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

"We also remain very focused on helping students develop employability skills and supporting them in finding the right destinations for their next step."

Mr Moralee added: "I was not a natural student. I was very fortunate to go to a good school and have good teachers. They kept me focused and on track.

"If I hadn't had those types of teachers, never giving up on me or motivating me, I think I might have been one of those students who didn't engage with education."