People of Nobel Algarve: Craig Layfield

Hi I’m Craig Layfield, Journey Lead, PSHE & Forest School teacher at Almancil. My aim is to encourage the pupils to have a love of the outdoors whilst equipping them with the necessary resilience and knowledge of self to survive and thrive in todays world. As well as an educational background I spent time in industry running my own business for 15 years before coming back to education where I lived and worked in boarding schools in the UK with my wife where she was Head of Boarding. When not inflicting my dreadful sense of humour upon the school I enjoy travelling, whenever possible on a motorbike and experiencing local cultures.

Where did you grow up, and what was it like there?

I grew up on the border of Co Durham and North Yorkshire, England. Cold in the winter and not much better in the summer.. 

What’s a tradition your family had while growing up that you still cherish?

We followed local level motorsports including Rally Cross and Motor Cross. I still enjoy visiting local circuits when possible.

What’s your all-time favourite book, movie, or TV show?

Favorite book, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist by Robert Tressell.

What’s a favourite memory from your childhood?

Exploring the great outdoors and getting up to mischief with friends.

How did you become interested in working in education?

I helped in summer schools for disadvantaged children as a teenager and this drove me to become the teacher I needed as a child.

Tell us about your greatest achievement

Riding 2500 miles through India on a Royal Enfield 350cc Motorbike to raise money for educational charities.

What is your steepest learning curve?

Becoming a father to two girls – There’s no true handbook for parenthood!

How do you remain curious?

By striving to find the answer when a child asks me that random question that only they could think of!

Who is someone in your life who has had a significant influence on who you are today?

My Grandfather who told me to “tell it like it is”

Nobel Algarve is a great place because...

The people and children of Almancil Campus, never a day without laughter.

What would you like the community of Nobel to know about you?

I have a daft sense of humour.

What’s something you hope to accomplish in the next five years?

To develop the Forest school area at Almancil and give the children the best Globeducate Journey possible.