What is your role at Blackheath High?
I am the Head of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which includes our Pre School and Reception years, and started at Blackheath High in September. My role is to support the experienced, dedicated team of Early Years practitioners to ensure that each individual child’s learning and pastoral needs are met in a welcoming and engaging environment. 

Tell us about your career path
I started my career in Worcestershire where I studied. I worked in a small village school in Reception before moving to London where I have worked in a variety of schools across Wandsworth, Merton, Camden and now Greenwich. Previous to my role here at Blackheath High, I worked at another Girls’ Day School Trust school for four years. 

I am in my 17th year of teaching and have always worked in Early Years. I have a clear understanding of how young children learn which allows me to provide appropriate challenges and experiences for our Early Years students. I consider myself fortunate to have been part of a number of Early Years teams across a range of settings, experiences that enable me to offer new ideas and be a flexible, adaptable colleague.

What do you like most about your job?
Spending time with my class every day is a real pleasure. They are so enthusiastic about learning and make such a huge amount of progress throughout the year.

What makes working here at Blackheath High so rewarding and enjoyable?
I have been very warmly welcomed and am enjoying getting to know both the children and my new colleagues. There is a great atmosphere in the Junior school which focuses on the students enjoying learning and being happy.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I have always liked live events and really enjoy attending gigs, exhibitions and theatre productions.

What are you most proud of?
In 2007, I moved to Tokyo (by myself) to work for The British School in Tokyo. It was the most tremendous experience both professionally and personally.

What has been your biggest challenge?
I was in Japan on the day of the earthquake in 2011 with my class of four and five year olds which was challenging as they had lots of questions that I could not answer. I, of course, appreciate that we were safe and unaffected by the tsunami happening further north.

Tell me something surprising about yourself 
I spent my half term holiday in China seeing as many UNESCO World Heritage sites as I could!