Santash Freebourne: Jamaican educator from Old Harbour appointed first black Assistant Headteacher at UK school

A woman of unwavering resolve, Freebourne refuses to accept limitations, her relentless drive propelling her through a remarkable 25-year career in education. Now, as she steps into her new role as Assistant Headteacher at Lealands High School in Luton, England, she makes history as the school’s first Black person in the position.

At the same time Freebourne’s appointment puts her third in command at Lealands, an institution that at one point was in the top 100 most improved secondary schools for GCSE results in the United Kingdom including English and Mathematics over a sustained period. For the uninitiated an assistant headteacher is the equivalency of a vice principal in the Jamaican education system. 

A trailblazer with an infectious spirit of resilience, Freebourne has dedicated her life to transforming education one student, one school and one community at a time. After a successful two-year tenure at Kempston Academy, where she served as school improvement officer for Mathematics, she leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence and heartfelt connections. Her departure was met with an outpouring of gratitude from students, who flooded her with farewell letters, a testament to her profound impact. 

Freebourne’s journey into education was not a straight path. Initially drawn to the sciences, partly due to her father’s wish for her to become a veterinarian, she attended the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, Jamaica. Yet, it was mathematics that ultimately captured her heart.  

“Though my training was in science, I have never taught it. I have always taught maths,” she said upon reflection. “I guess I just loved maths from the beginning and it took me a while to see it.”  

Once she did, there was no turning back. 

Armed with a Master’s degree in Education and a wealth of experience, Freebourne is a firm believer in collaborative leadership, equity, and high expectations. “Throughout my career, I’ve championed inclusive, high-expectation environments that empower both students and staff to thrive,” she tells Old Harbour News in an exclusive interview. “My expertise spans behaviour and pastoral leadership, curriculum design, and data-informed strategic planning, delivering measurable improvements in academic outcomes and whole-school development.”

Her leadership journey has not been without challenges. As one of only two Black leaders at Kempston Academy, she understood the weight of her role. “I saw the need there. I had to make it count,” she says. 

Freebourne’s story is one of perseverance. Born in Lucea, Hanover, and raised between there and Old Harbour, St. Catherine, she grew up in a loving but complex family dynamic. The daughter of a dressmaker and a policeman, whom she didn’t meet until she was 11, she learned early the value of self-reliance. 

The move to St. Catherine took her first to Marlie Mount Primary and then Old Harbour High School. It was while attending primary school she finally met her dad, a psychological vice that had a positive impact on her future development. 

“I had always yearned to meet my father so my mother put it on ‘Sunday Contact’ (radio show) and that was a big push… and somebody heard it and told my father that there was a little girl looking for him,” she recounted. “One day I was going to school at Marlie and saw two ladies who came towards me. And one of the ladies said to her friend, ‘She favour Warren eee?’ That time I didn’t even know who name Warren as my mother had always told me that my father’s name was George. She then introduced herself as my father’s wife. My father and his wife came back that weekend and spoke to my aunt and after that every fifth week, I went to stay with my father.” 

Growing up, she was motivated to always give her best, influenced by the fact that she didn’t come from a wealthy family.  Therefore “I wanted that financial stability and not be dependent on anyone,” she said. 

Moving to the UK in 2008, Freebourne faced the dual challenges of being a minority in leadership and navigating cultural differences. Her first teaching role was in an all-white school in Norfolk, a daunting experience, but one she met with confidence and skill. 

“As a minority in this kind of leadership position, you have to work harder to prove yourself,” she admits. “It can also be a struggle as you don’t think you will be supported. For me though I wouldn’t work in any other field. Education chose me.”

She added: “Years ago, I even tried to leave and went to work at Sandals [in Jamaica] as an environmental health and safety officer but found it kind of boring. I like the challenge of education as it has many facets and layers that keep you on your toes.”

Beyond the classroom, Freebourne is a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son, Romario, and an avid DIY enthusiast who enjoys gardening. Yet, her true passion remains her students. 

As the interview draws to an end, I asked Freebourne what’s her advice to young people? “If I could go back, I wish I had been taught the value of pausing to think before speaking. It saves a lot of trouble and eliminates misunderstandings and conflicts.

“My father used to say that I must ensure that I get my qualifications because then I can do anything I want in life. As long as you have that, you won’t limit yourself. Always go to the next level and push yourself.”