Why does educational leadership matter?

To me, I’ve always wanted to be a deputy head. This is something I’ve worked really really hard for. So, I thrive on knowing that I can make a difference to people, whether they’re pupils, parents or staff. This is something that I have worked towards, but I’ve always felt that was a natural leader and I thrive doing this job. I absolutely love being a head teacher, and it’s a real privilege not only to serve the young people in this school, but actually the community that I serve.

The school is at the heart of that community and one of the benefits of being a small school head is you get to know your community very well, your families very well, and therefore, as a result, are able to give your very best to the young people in the school. I entered the profession because I wanted to teach and I wanted to make a difference and I think that’s an absolute truth of every teacher who comes into the profession. That’s why we’re here. That’s what attracts us to it to make a difference to young people, to their futures. So, I set out and I enjoy, I love teaching and became head of department.

But it was only when I moved into aspects of senior leadership that I understood that you’ve got the opportunity to make a difference on a much bigger scale. So, my inspiration to becoming an assistant head teacher actually came from one of my previous heads. She’s a very inspirational woman and made a lot of changes. I worked in quite a diverse school in my previous role before I joined the leadership team and the change that was made and the opportunities given especially to students from difficult backgrounds really inspired me that actually I want to make that change across the board.

Currently in our school, which is quite a high achieving grammar school, I want to be able to show these young students that actually women can be in leadership roles, they can be in esteemed rolls, and they can really make a difference. Being the head of a small school means that actually you’re responsible for everything. So on a day it can be everything from health and safety, observing a lesson, fixing the tennis court and a bit of gritting because there’s been a lot of snow. So, but that’s what I love about the job, because it means I’m very hands on. But also have the opportunity to develop the school and have that strategic view. I have passion for this job.

I thrive, every day brings different challenges, highs and lows. But I don’t give up and I keep going. I keep improving myself. I believe in everybody around me and this is why I’m here.