Staff Profile

Staff Profile: Mr Freer

Mr Freer joined Our Lady’s at the start of September as the Lead Teacher of the humanities faculty. Let’s find out a bit more about him…

What is your role at Our Ladys? Lead Teacher of Humanities

Where did you work before you started here? I worked at a school in Halifax, West Yorkshire as a Curriculum Leader for Geography and History.

What were your first impressions of Our Lady’s? I was impressed with the pride that the students took in showing off their school and the displays for Black History Month. Also, how welcoming staff and students have been to me into their school community.

What is your favourite thing about being a teacher? What I love about being a Humanities teacher is that both Geography and History help us to understand the world outside our window. It is an honour to teach subjects that allow students to discover new ways of thinking, better explain and understand the natural and social worlds, think about alternative futures and what we could do to influence them. This leads to my favourite aspect of my job where students start to engage and debate current issues of significance. What does a typical day for Mr Freer look like? I’m woken up by my daughter before the birds are up (she wakes them!) and it’s all go from then. I’m the cook of the house so I will be making breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day. I try and sneak in a bike ride up a hill or two. I go to Heaton Park or into town with my family. The only non-negotiable in my day is that I have to read for at least 45 mins before bed.

Where in the world would you most like to visit? I would love to visit the Himalayas in Nepal to see the mountains, glaciers and rivers in that unique area of the world.

What are your hobbies outside of school? I am a keen reader and I like to get outside as much as I can in my spare time. I played rugby growing up and I am a keen cyclist and also enjoying following it aswell. I like to watch the NFL and I support the Seattle Seahawks.

Favourite film or TV show? The Big Short

Favourite song? My Hero - Foo Fighters

Favourite food? Thai Food! What is your greatest achievement to date? Winning the under 7s singing competition at Blackpool Tower in 1998. Downhill from there.

Who would you most like to meet and why? I would love to meet Tony Blair or Gordon Brown. I would like to talk to them about their burning conviction to improve people’s lives, to fight for equality and promote social justice.

Best bit of advice for students at Our Lady’s? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.