James is currently the Vicar of Fenham and Chaplain to the Dame Allan’s Schools. Before arriving in Newcastle in February 2019, he had spent almost eight years on the Isle of Man, first as Assistant Curate at Cathedral Isle of Man and then latterly serving as Vicar of four Churches. During this time, he was also the Diocesan Director of Education and Chair of Governors at a local school.
James completed undergraduate studies in York, followed by teacher training at the University of Durham and he taught Religious Studies in the North East for a number of years before training for ordination at Cranmer Hall, Durham.
During his time teaching, James was also a member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors. He was awarded an MA in Faith and Public Policy from the University of Chester in 2016 and has an interest in the area of Disability Theology and Education Policy and Practice. In March 2020, he was one of the first in the country to receive the Award for Educational Leadership from the Church of England Foundation of Education with a focus on the two areas of professional development of junior clergy and effective leadership and partnership within an educational context.