When did you leave Chesterton Community College?

I attended Chesterton between 2003-2008, at that time Chesterton had no VI form so Y11 was everyone’s last.

What is your current job title or area?

I am currently the Deputy Head of a large all through school in Dagenham, one of London’s most deprived areas. I lead the academic systems, policies, culture and strategy across the school. 

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

I loved Chesterton and enjoyed so much of the work my teachers did at the time, although the school had work to do and room to grow, it inspired me nonetheless. At University I hoped to follow a career in politics, however, when I came back to Chesterton for a visit after graduation, I realised education was my true interest and a simpler way to have a positive impact on the world.

How did you start your career?

Several of my old history teachers, who still worked at Chesterton, organised work experience for me at the school, this was my first teaching placement. From here I moved into different roles, both at Chesterton and at schools in Norfolk and eventually London.

What do you like about your job? What are the high points?

I enjoy teaching history in particular; I find it endlessly intriguing and getting to share this with young people is nothing short of a joy. Education is a human pursuit, yes there are emails and paperwork but every day you find yourself face to face with students and colleagues, working not for profit, but for the sake of public service. Furthermore, education isn’t simply charity, it equips young people to change and grow definitively, for anybody politically engaged, this must be a calling. The stories aren’t exaggerated, students can behave in the most remarkable ways, days can feel frustrating or wasted and there are no quarterly bonuses. However, career progression is readily available, you will never find yourself bored or wondering what the purpose of your work has been, even bankers don’t get three months of paid holiday a year and I have never finished a week without a story to tell.

What is the first piece of advice you would give to a student wanting to pursue this career?

There are lots of excellent avenues for entering teaching, Teach First and SCITTs have complemented the traditional PGCE route. If you are considering teaching, there will be a pathway and a role in a school that is for you.

Furthermore, if you want to know that you can succeed in anything, this is one of the best ways to prove it.