QTS Information: QTS awarded in July 2001, having completed my NQT year at Westcliff High School for Boys, a local grammar school.

Relevant Qualifications: I have a 2:1 degree in English Language and Literature, awarded in 1999 from the University of Reading, where I was fortunate enough to study under some of the leading academic experts in their field, such as Professor Andrew Gurr (Shakespeare) and Professor Coral Howells (Margaret Atwood). I then completed a PGCE in English (Secondary) at Anglia Polytechnic University in 2000.

About me: I am a busy mother of three who has been teaching now for nearly 23 years. I began my career at Westcliff High School for Boys, a local grammar school, in 2000, where I was the youngest (and first female) Head of English the school had appointed, taking the role in 2006.

After having my second child, I left teaching for a very brief period of 6 months before realising that I missed it far too much! As a result, a short stint as KS5 coordinator at a local comprehensive was followed by a longer tenure at a second boys’ grammar school, Southend High School for Boys. During the 6 and a half years I was there, I was also the English Curriculum Lead for the Southend High School for Girls’ SCITT programme, responsible for leading the training and mentoring of English teachers through their PGCE.

I ended up at my current school completely by chance – I was doing half a term’s cover for a local comprehensive, Southchurch High School, before starting a new post at yet another grammar school, Westcliff High School for Girls, and I fell in love with the place and the people. It wasn’t long before I was back at Southchurch, as Second in English, then Head of English and now Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning as well.

My passion, as my career path suggests, is quality of teaching. Every child deserves to feel heard and to know that they will have an effective learning experience within every classroom. My current role allows me to combine my knowledge of outstanding teaching and pedagogy with mentoring and training colleagues into being the best versions of themselves for their students, which is challenging but incredibly rewarding. I have been graded outstanding in my teaching in every school that I have worked in, and my wealth of experience across KS3, KS4 and KS5 means I have the knowledge of how to support the lower ability but also to stretch and challenge the most able. One of the core strengths of my teaching is subject knowledge and it is something that I am incredibly enthusiastic about sharing with my department, school staff and my tutees on the SKE course.

I started working for Eureka when the English SKE course began, back in January 2018. Since then, I have re-vamped and authored the majority of the units on Moodle, including the introductory videos and those for the assignments, so my English SKE tutees are well accustomed to my voice before we even meet! It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of the SKE course and to be able to discuss material that I so thoroughly enjoy, hopefully passing on that enthusiasm and joy to those that I tutor.

Outside of work and family, there isn’t much time left but I love to travel and I am a keen performer. For many years, I trod the boards with local amateur dramatic groups, playing such roles as Lois in “Kiss Me, Kate”, Mabel in “The Pirates of Penzance”, Reno in “Anything Goes” and Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls”. Currently, I am the lead singer of a band comprised of friends from an am dram group and we perform for charity at local venues. This allows me to further indulge my need for artistic creativity, as well as an escape from the stresses of everyday life! Of course, as an English teacher, it goes without saying that I am an avid reader and will happily read for hours, when allowed.

Educational Qualifications:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PDE), National University of Ireland, Galway. (1.1)
• Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA), National University of Ireland, Galway. (1.1)

I obtained QTS in Ireland through a University-led teacher training course and moved to the South-East of England in 2012 to teach English in a large comprehensive secondary school. After initial progression to the role of KS4 co-ordinator, I now work as an Academic Year Leader where I liaise with colleagues and work closely with students to improve academic attainment.

I have a passion for inclusion, supporting looked after students and raising aspirations among disadvantaged students. I enjoy the opportunities the English language provides: allowing students to become effective communicators, capable of expressing their opinions and becoming aware of the power of language. The subject also allows exploration of social, historical and cultural issues through the lens of the text studied which helps to generate discussion on important social issues, providing a holistic education and allowing students to develop as responsible citizens.

I encourage my students to have high expectations and maintain high standards in an enjoyable classroom environment where everyone feels valued, respected and comfortable to share their views. I have mentored trainee teachers in the classroom and really enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with the enthusiastic SKE students I have the pleasure of meeting on the Eureka course. I have an interest in a variety of sports; I enjoy spending time in the outdoors, travel and like to dabble in some DIY and home renovations.