As one of our newest members of Taylors’, Luke joins us from Claremont High School in Kenton. Having always hoped to work for Taylors’, he took the opportunity when the vacancy arose and is now our new Head of Sports Science. Please enjoy reading the wonderful story of Luke Peace.
What were you doing before joining Taylors’?
Since gaining QTS nearly sixteen years ago, I worked in the PE department at Claremont High School in Kenton, which is not too far from here. It’s an outstanding secondary comprehensive, and it was a difficult decision to leave, as I thoroughly enjoyed my role as Head of PE and had built many strong relationships along the way. However, I had always hoped to one day work at MTSN, given its excellent reputation and facilities, so when the opportunity arose, I grabbed it with both hands. I am absolutely delighted to be here.
What most excites you about your role, and what got you into it?
I’ve always had a strong passion for sport, having played a wide range of activities growing up. That naturally led me into coaching, particularly football, and from there I followed in my parents’ footsteps into teaching.
What excites me most about the role is the balance it offers. While I enjoy the practical side of PE, I really thrive in the classroom, so being able to focus on the academic elements of the subject (Sports Science) alongside contributing to a vibrant co-curricular programme makes it an ideal fit for me.
What are you most proud of outside of your work at Taylors’
I’m proud to have played a range of sports to a good competitive standard, including Football, Cricket, Tennis and Badminton – although Golf is still very much a work in progress! Despite my age, I still play competitive football in the Middlesex Premier League (Step 7) and am currently the oldest regular starter in the league!
I’m also proud to have taken on and completed a number of endurance challenges, including the London Marathon, Tough Mudder, the Gurkha 100km Trail walk, and more recently a HYROX event.
Above all, I’m a very proud father of two boys, aged four and one, and I would love for them to one day be part of the Merchant Taylors’ community.
What did you study?
I studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science at University of Birmingham, where I had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend it. After graduating, I spent some time working in the leisure industry before deciding to commit to teaching, completing my PGCE at Brunel University London.
What is one thing you think everyone should try?
Padel! It’s a fantastic sport: really fun, highly sociable, and accessible for a wide range of abilities. The enclosed court naturally brings players together, making it a great way to enjoy sport with others, regardless of experience.
It’s also physically engaging without being overly demanding on the body, as there’s less ground to cover compared to sports like Tennis. It’s competitive, addictive, and a brilliant way to stay active – especially as you get older (like me)!
