What is your role at Blackheath High School?  

My role here at Blackheath High is Deputy Head - Wellbeing. I work with the pastoral team to maintain the warm environment of the school, in which every individual is treated as an individual.  I truly believe that student success is built upon a foundation of positive wellbeing and balance.  My ethos for pastoral care is very much harnessing and developing each student's personal understanding of themselves and resilience to overcome challenges. Student wellbeing is enhanced with the security of a clear structure of support when additional help is needed. Imperative to a successful school is the wellbeing of its staff, so I see this as an equally important part of my role.  

How long have you been teaching?  

I have been teaching for 28 years, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone! I have always worked in all girls' schools, apart from one year of my career. This wasn’t initially my intention but once I had seen the benefits that focusing on the way girls learn and supporting their personal growth through, what can be tricky years, it became a passion to work in what I see as the most productive education structure. My most recent school was the one year that I spent in a mixed independent school and this was where I developed their PSHE and Wellbeing Programme. Before that, I was at an all-girls grammar school in Kent for 12 years.  

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

From a young age I wanted to do something to do with sport - my first career aspiration was in physiotherapy. Alongside my A-levels, I completed a sports therapy qualification which enabled me to progress my knowledge of anatomy and physiology in addition to working practically with people with sporting injuries. It was through this course I realised that my passion was for the subject rather than rehabilitation, so I started to look at other pathways. I was fortunate to complete work experience in a school while I was doing my A-levels and I absolutely loved it. So, to work with PE, sport, wellbeing and teaching, it just all came together - it was just a moment of alignment.  

Where did you study, and what did you do?  

What I wanted to do was quite specialist. I knew I wanted to be a PE teacher, but I didn't want to do just exclusively PE. I wanted to do something around anatomy and physiology as well. So, I essentially had three choices of course. One was in Bangor University and when I visited, I didn't get a feel for it, it just didn't suit me. The second was at Brighton University, but this course was a joint honours degree so didn’t focus as much on the areas in which I wanted to specialise, so I found the perfect course, Movement Studies, at the University of Greenwich and it was a Bachelor of Education, so it fitted exactly with what I wanted to study. It qualified me to be a PE teacher, but it developed my understanding of anatomy and physiology, which was really important to me. I then completed my PGCE Professional Studies (Education and Leadership) at Kingston University and Canterbury University.  

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

It was the role initially that initially excited me and when I researched the school, I couldn't quite believe quite how much the ethos of the school aligned with my vision for pastoral care. When I visited the school for the first time it had such a calm, purposeful atmosphere. Having taught in and visited many schools, the community atmosphere, the calm environment, being small enough to really get to know all of the students and to understand their individual needs really does set Blackheath High apart from other schools.  

What inspires you to get out of bed in the morning?  

Well on a basic level, it is my alarm and coffee! That said, I really enjoy the variety of challenge that my role at Blackheath High brings.  I relish the whole school development but equally like the days where I'm teaching - I love getting back into my PE kit!  

I like thinking big, thinking about the whole school, and what we can do to make the students' wellbeing even better at Blackheath High. I love talking to the students about whole school improvement. I was super excited to get started with our school council this term, to meet with our student leaders and listen to the viewpoints of our students.  

What kind of leader are you?  

I would describe myself as a collaborative leader with a clear vision.  I like to empower people to come up with their own brilliance. 

Who are your role models?  

My role models are mainly from the sporting arena. I really admire the Olympic trampoline gymnast Bryony Page. She’s so impressive in how she has overcome adversity and injury. In the past she has struggled with ‘Lost move syndrome’, making her very disorientated in the air and has had to relearn her skills and rebuild confidence to perform the most challenging somersaults; and with a great support network she then went on to the highest level of international competition and ultimately, as a GB Olympian. She represents the resilience that I see as a foundation for success as an individual. For the same reason, Laura Kenny - I love cycling and she's had five Olympic Golds, one Silver, and she's a mother – she is really inspirational in terms of how she balances her life.  

Outside of sport, I have always admired Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock who does the BBC’s Sky at Night programme. I just find it fascinating - the stars and space - and she really intrigues me, the way she's able to excite people about something that's actually quite confusing. She is a role model for so many people. I've also just found out that she was our Honorary Mighty Girls for the Mighty Girls Celebration Assembly last year, I heard she captivated pupils and parents alike. A huge shame I wasn’t here for that!  

What's your sport?  

My main sport through school and university was netball, but when I became a mum, I was unable to commit to training and playing regularly so I sadly had to hang up my netball trainers.  It was at this point that I developed a love of running.  

What's the most impressive or unusual achievement in your career or life?  

I am really proud of where I am in my career, working in a school I love in a role that fits so well with my educational values.  On a personal level I am proud to have completed the London Marathon - in preparation for that, myself and my running team competed in all the half marathons in England over 2 seasons (there are so many more half marathon events now!). 

What would you put into Room 101? 

This is going to be controversial, but I would put social media into Room 101. I know there are lots of benefits to being connected online but I feel that sometimes young people miss out on the world around them when spending so much of their time on social media. 

Do you have any pets? 

I have a labrador called Maisie. She is seven years old, very pretty and very cheeky!  She never fails to welcome me home with her boundless love and happiness.  She loves a combination of plenty of walks with an equal number of cuddles.