Northampton primary school headteacher honoured after being named county's head of the year
Hunsbury Park Primary School is celebrating after headteacher Dan York was named headteacher of the year at the Northamptonshire Education Awards last Friday - an accolade recognising his outstanding leadership, and the remarkable difference he has made to the lives of children, their families, and the wider school community.
Since joining the school, Dan’s commitment to inclusion, aspiration, and opportunity has been evident in every aspect of school life. The award reflects his dedication to improving outcomes for all pupils, and supporting families, particularly through his work in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Dan has been a driving force in expanding SEND provision locally. He works closely with the Local Authority to increase SEND places across Northamptonshire, including helping to develop the county’s largest mainstream SEND unit, providing 80 new places for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This initiative has opened up vital opportunities for families who previously had limited access to the support their children need.
Under his leadership, Hunsbury Park has also achieved sustained improvements in academic outcomes, exceeding national benchmarks for the past two years.
Beyond academic success, Dan ensures every child benefits from enrichment experiences that foster confidence, creativity, and ambition.
Dan’s influence reaches far beyond Hunsbury Park. He provides outreach support to more than 60 schools across Northamptonshire and played a key role in establishing a new countywide SEND Partnership, sharing practical guidance and specialist expertise with staff and parents.
Reflecting on the award, Dan said:
"I was genuinely surprised and deeply honoured to receive this recognition. Everything we achieve at Hunsbury Park comes from working together as a community - our staff, pupils, and families. Joining Orbis has strengthened that community, and shared sense of purpose, and I’m excited about what we’ll continue to achieve collectively."
The award is a proud moment for everyone who works with Dan, highlighting the lasting difference a passionate and visionary leader can make to children’s lives and communities.