Deputy Director of Prep
I’ve been a teacher for 21 years and at The Royal School for the last ten. Working within a compassionate team really allows people to develop and take risks, now I'm definitely less like the slightly haphazard teacher I was when I started. Organisation is key! I spent ten years in the TA as a troop commander (essentially the same as being a primary teacher but the pupils are a bit older, and the lessons include weapons training and assault courses!)
As a child and while I was in the TA, I was lucky to travel a great deal and take part in some exciting adventurous training – lots of sailing, skiing and watersports. While I was on maternity leave, I rediscovered a personal love of learning and did my Masters in English, Publishing and Creative Writing. I love a challenge, although a lockdown with three young children probably wasn’t on my wish list. With the support of an amazing team and a stubborn trait that not only would we do it, but we’d do it well, I was proud to be shortlisted for the UL Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award last year. I also took up running during that time to keep me mentally healthy and it’s something that it is still important to me.
Alongside the day job, I am a governor at Fernhurst Primary School and I also belong to a mentor programme that supports women getting back into the workplace after maternity leave. I am passionate about equality, be it through education or the workplace.