Our Teaching Assistant in Reception Mrs A Shelley tells us all about herself.

What is your job title? 

Teaching Assistant

Tell us about your role

My role is supporting the Reception class teacher in all aspects of the girls learning in Early Years.

How long have you worked here? Tell us about your career path.

I’ve worked at Blackheath High School for six years. I began my career in the travel industry, then moved on to take up a position as an Assistant Accountant in a Statutory Body in London. I had eight years at home when my three children were young, at which time I retrained as a teaching assistant.

How does your previous experience benefit the school?

I’m quite good at Maths!

What do you like most about your job?

Talking to the girls, every day there is something they say that makes me smile.

What makes working here at Blackheath High School so rewarding and enjoyable?

Each day is different and the school is filled with amazing people.

What has been your biggest achievement at Blackheath High School?

Teaching the Reception girls to read and seeing it open up an astonishing world for them.

What has been your biggest challenge at Blackheath High School?

Training the girls to put lids on pens and glue sticks. We just get them in the habit of doing it when they move up to Year 1 and we have to start all over again with the new class.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I am Captain of a Girls’ Brigade Company in Eltham. I love to read, getting through at least a book a week and enjoy any kind of puzzles especially Sudoku. As a family we love walking in the country, visiting English Heritage properties and Geocaching.

Tell us something surprising about yourself

As a child I performed at the Royal Albert Hall.