About Northway Education

Matthew is a Co-Founder of Northway Education and our Designated Safeguarding Lead. He has nine years' experience working one-to-one with children and young people, with a background that began in football coaching. He has coached players from the age of four through to adulthood, working with complete beginners through to academy and professional level players.

Matthew spent six years working within a Premier League academy and holds a UEFA C coaching badge. He also has experience delivering PE lessons and after-school sports clubs within schools.

Alongside coaching, Matthew has experience working one-to-one as a mentor, supporting students and working closely with families, schools and local authorities to provide a personalised approach to education and support. His approach has always been shaped by the impact that one-to-one attention can have on a young person, not just in the moment, but in the confidence, attitude and performance they carry with them when returning to a classroom or working as part of a team.

During his time as a mentor, Matthew particularly enjoyed seeing genuine progress being made, confidence being built and overall, a positive relationship developed towards education. It was this, alongside everything he had learned through coaching, that led him to help found Northway Education.

Outside of work, Matthew is a Manchester United supporter and enjoys most sports, particularly football and golf.

Louis is a Co-Founder of Northway Education and our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. He first began working with young people around seven years ago, supporting individuals with disabilities through football. This involved leading football sessions, training drills and matches, giving him early experience of building positive relationships with young people and helping them develop confidence through sport.

Alongside this, Louis studied for his BTEC Level 3 in Sport, achieving an A*. After college, he spent five years working within retail, progressing to Team Leader and working towards a management position. Although he enjoyed developing his leadership skills, Louis knew that his real passion was working directly with young people. In June 2025 Louis made the decision to move into alternative provision as a mentor.

Louis' own experiences of struggling at school have played a big part in shaping his approach to mentoring, he understands the importance of having someone who listens, builds trust and sees the individual beyond their difficulties.

As a mentor, Louis particularly enjoys using young people's interests to engage them in learning and personal development. Football has naturally become a big part of his mentoring and he regularly incorporates one-to-one football sessions alongside his work with students. It was through this combination of mentoring and sport that Louis developed the vision that would eventually lead to the creation of Northway Education.

Outside of work, Louis is a lifelong Manchester United supporter, following in his family's footsteps. He enjoys all sports, particularly football, as well as hiking and padel.