Dave Woods

Dave Woods – NAHT President (As of September 2026)

Dave is currently the head teacher at Beaconsfield Primary School in Southall, London, and is NAHT’s President (As of September 2026). He started his career training and working in Sydney, Australia, and now has 27 years’ experience in the UK, where he has dedicated his career to leading in communities of diversity, deprivation, and challenge, first in east London and now in west London, always with a focus on aspiration and inclusion for all.

Dave is extremely passionate about his work in education. Under his leadership, Beaconsfield Primary has doubled in size, expanded its specialist resource provision and strengthened its role at the heart of the local community. For Dave, inclusion is non-negotiable: every child, every family and every member of staff must feel supported, seen and inspired. He expects all staff to be aspirational in their outlook – modelling high expectations and belief in what all pupils can achieve.

The first in his family to attend university, Dave chose teaching over forensic science after a day at a primary classroom convinced him of where he could make the greatest impact. This commitment drives his belief that government investment in education is an investment in the nation’s future, and that failed policies of austerity and underfunding harm both children and wider society.