The Mentonians

James Walton

Director of Learning and Teaching

BA (Hons) ES, PGCertEd (Secondary English), MEd (Leadership & Management)

James graduated from The University of Winchester (King Alfred’s College) in the UK with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Studies in 2001. After initially working in graduate positions in marketing and commerce in London, James decided to pursue his interest in education, studying a Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Secondary English at Plymouth University.

Eager to put his study into practice, James worked his Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year at Queen Elizabeth’s in Dorset, a co-educational school in the southwest of England, teaching English, Literature, and Media.

James returned to Melbourne in 2006, the place he spent his early childhood, where he took on a full-time position as an English and History teacher at De La Salle College in Malvern. In 2010 he was promoted to Head of English and held this role for three years.

In 2014, James joined Mentone Grammar as the Head of English overseeing the English curriculum for Years 5 – 12. Recognised for his leadership skills and strategic vision, James was appointed as the Head of Bayview in 2017.

In 2021, James was appointed as the Director of Learning and Teaching, responsible for leading continued excellence and innovation in student outcomes and teaching practice.