What is your role at Blackheath High School?  

I am Academic Deputy Head at Blackheath High Junior School. I am also a Year 4 Form Teacher and I teach my class Maths, English, Humanities and PHSE. 

How long have you been teaching?   

I have been teaching for 16 years, but this is my first role as a Deputy Head. Previously, I spent most of my teaching career at a three-form entry state school in Croydon, which is where I started my teaching practise as an NQT. I moved on to being a Lead Practitioner there and a member of the leadership team, which gave me a great insight into senior roles in education and led me to where I am today.

Where did you study and what did you study?    

I studied English and Drama at Birmingham University and then I completed my PGCE at Greenwich University. While I was teaching in Croydon, I did my Masters in Education. I went to school at Manchester High for School for Girls from the age of 4 to 18, so I am a big of advocate of girls-only education. As a former student of an independent girls’ school, parent of a daughter who went to one and now a teacher here, I feel that I have a broad understanding of the issues pertinent to single-sex settings. 

How did you know that teaching was the profession for you?   

I used to work in the creative industries as an administrator and performer, and my childhood dream was to be on the stage or screen. The reality is that it didn’t fit with family life. I knew I could work with children, because I had led successful storytelling workshops in school. As a Stage Manager and then a TV Production Manager I developed interpersonal and time management skills, which I knew were key to the teaching profession. Most importantly, as soon as I started teaching, I realised that it is the most creative industry you can imagine. There are endless opportunities every day to be flexible, think on your feet, trouble-shoot and problem solve.   

Why Blackheath High School? What sets the school apart from other schools?  

This was the area I moved to when I first came to London, so I was very familiar with the location. When I visited the school, I really felt the community spirit: the ethos of the school drew me in and seeing it in action was very powerful. It was also very appealing to know that we are both a distinct school as a Junior School, but also very much connected to Seniors as an all-through independent and part of the bigger GDST family.  

What inspires you/ gets you out of bed in the morning?  

Hot coffee and crumpets! And I genuinely enjoy working and learning and being with people. You are surrounded by lots of inspirational and diverse people in a school, but with one common goal: teaching, learning and providing the best education possible. 

What kind of leader are you?   

I have been told that I am democratic, in that I work closely with colleagues to ensure they feel like they are part of any decision-making process. Good relationships are key to good working practices and progress. As a teacher, every class I’ve ever taught will know me by the three Fs: Firm, Fair and Fun - in that order! The ‘Firm’ element is setting clear boundaries so that everyone can reach their fullest potential in a safe learning environment. I am happy to be told that something is wrong and happy to apologise if I have done something wrong, then learn from it and move on. That’s the ‘Fair’ bit. The ‘Fun’ element I bring from my performance background – you’d have to ask the children more about that… 

Who are your role models?  

My family are largely from a medical background, so I have had a lot of insight into the NHS, and I think that anyone who works with the care and energy that some of our public sector workers do is a role model. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself 

I have had many years of lessons in ballroom and Latin American dancing: I can convincingly Cha-Cha, Rumba and Paso Doble around a dance floor. I am also attempting to learn Spanish, which is a slow and painful process. 

What are you most passionate about in life?  

Learning. All sorts. Ask Alexa. Ask someone. Find out. Fill your brain. Paint your canvas.  

What is your favourite subject or book?   

‘Midnight’s Children’ by Salman Rushdie - partly because it speaks of my parents’ cultural heritage, as they were part of the generation to experience Indian independence; and partly because it is an historical tale, but unusually told. 

What is your favourite school lunch?  

Lasagne and garlic bread, mainly because you can smell it all morning being cooked. 

What things in life would you put in room 101?  

R.A.T.S. I can barely say the word out loud without cringing. 

And Quavers crisps.