Overseeing GCSEs and jetting off to compete in an international bike race directly after is just a day in the life of Katherine Oldfield.
Katherine, 29, assistant head teacher at Bolton’s Kings Leadership Academy, balances her career with being ranked second in the world for 4X mountain biking.
4X, pronounced "four cross", is a style of mountain biking where four bikers race downhill on a BMX-like track.
She has competed in two 4X ProTour championships since 2021, in Italy where she ranked fifth and in Czech Republic where she ranked third.
Though it is challenging to balance her roles, she is happy to inspire her secondary school pupils who follow her racing with keen interest.
Katherine said: “It's good to feel like a role model to the students. They all know that I go competing.
“And when I get back [from a race] on a Monday and I’m more tired than anything because I’ve travelled, they all want to know where I’ve come and to see a picture of [it]."
Katherine is as passionate about education as she is about sport.
She said: “When I went to Italy for the Downhill World Cup, I managed to get one of the super famous riders to take a video of encouragement for one of my year 11s who was struggling [with exams].
“I promised him if you really turn it around and get your head down for your GCSEs, I’ll make sure that I get him to say hello to you at the race.
“That was nice for him because you did see the change in his motivation."
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