What is your current job title?

Assistant Headteacher

Did you know as a teenager which career you wanted to pursue or did you come to realise this later on? 

I didn’t originally realise I wanted to teach, but many of my teachers (who I remain in contact with) have since said that they knew I would become a teacher one day! 

I studied A Level Geography, Economics, Maths and Sociology. I spent the summer of my upper sixth year doing an internship with Cambridgeshire County Council data unit. 

I went to Robinson College, University of Cambridge to study Land Economy.  

I loved the subject so continued on to an MPhil and then a PhD where I researched how a refusal of planning permission affects businesses and the local economy. I was part-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) but worked part-time during my PhD to supplement my income.  

I worked as a supervisor, tutoring small groups of Land Economy undergraduates. This was when I realised how much I enjoyed teaching.

How did you start on your career?

I enrolled on the Cambridge PGCE in Geography and completed this course while writing up my thesis. I was at Chesterton for my first professional placement (Oct-Dec) mentored by Andy English … who had been my Geography teacher when I was a child! 

When I arrived at Chesterton for my PGCE placement, everyone assumed I would be training to teach Music as I had spent so much time in the Music Department as a child. I very much enjoy my role today as honorary member of the Music team, supporting concerts and trips and playing in the jazz band, wind band and orchestra on a weekly basis. 

What do you like about your job?  

While I loved teaching undergraduates, I find working with 11-18 students much more rewarding as I feel I can make a more significant difference to their lives. 

What is your proudest achievement?

I was awarded Cambridgeshire Teacher of the Year in 2019, having been nominated by our Chair of Governors, Professor Simon Peyton Jones. I was fortunate to be allowed to take guests to the awards ceremony and was delighted that Rex Freeman and Roger Bond were able to accompany me. They are outstanding Chesterton teachers who both taught me and who I have kept in touch with for the last 40 years because they inspired me so much as a child. I regularly talk to them about teaching and learning and it’s great to get their perspective on ideas that I have for school development. The award was as much for them as it was for me!