Football star swaps dressing room for classroom

Football star swaps dressing room for classroomImage source, Simon Thake/BBCImage caption, Jake Wright is head of Year 8 at Newfield School in SheffieldBySimon ThakeYorkshirePublished5 July 2026, 07:13 BSTWhen 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.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Wright played 46 times for Sheffield United, gaining promotion from League One to the Championship in the 2016/17 seasonWright 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 offe...