Oldham teacher Steve Hill on brutal Arctic expedition

Steve Hill, the deputy headteacher at St Joseph's RC Primary in Shaw, has returned from a brutal Arctic expedition that pushed him to his physical and mental limits. The 2026 adventure took him to Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago halfway between Norway and the North Pole, where he spent days hauling heavy pulk sleds across frozen wilderness while wild camping in sub-zero temperatures.

Each day involved hours of pulling essential supplies across snow and ice, with progress painfully slow in the harsh conditions. The team conducted nightly Polar Bear Watch duties, taking turns to stay awake and guard the camp against potential encounters with the Arctic's most dangerous predator. 'It definitely keeps you on edge-you're out there in their environment, so you have to be alert at all times,' Hill said.

Despite the relentless cold and physical exhaustion, Hill described moments of incredible beauty that made the hardship worthwhile. Arctic foxes weaving through the snow and reindeer moving across the landscape provided unforgettable encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat. 'It was exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding,' he reflected.

Back at St Joseph's, Hill has been sharing his experiences with pupils who've been fascinated by tales of life in one of the world's most extreme environments. The adventurer, who received an MBE for his contributions to education and charity, is already planning his next challenge, proving that for this Shaw teacher, the classroom is just the beginning of his educational journey.