There were two teachers who inspired me from a very early age in Junior School to become a teacher.  

My own passion for Roman History and Archaeology was engendered from the age of 7 by an inspirational teacher, Mrs Walker, whose photographs of her travels not only transported me throughout Italy to the Colosseum and Pantheon, but helped to shape my own interests and aspirations.  

The second person was the Head of the same school, Mrs Watt, whose office I found very interesting to visit.  Mrs Watt showed me how good leadership can make a difference in the world

It is a huge privilege to be an educator; in a position to open the minds of young people and empowering them with a love of learning, a thirst for knowledge and the mindfulness for social responsibility which lasts throughout their lives.  

I am so proud of the achievements of the pupils at the school, whether these are academic or in any other area. I always feel so privileged when I see an incredible sporting performance or a wonderful Drama production at school. This is often not just solely the quickest runner or the most accomplished performer – I love seeing pupils who are achieving their best and truly enjoying what they are doing. Knowing that I may have played a small part in that is what gives me the most pride as a Head.

A school where the children are aspirant.  A school that is outward looking but still child centered.  A school that will take the children on a journey to discover their own talents and that inspires them to have high expectations for themselves and what they can achieve.  This requires not just a strong academic education but enrichment opportunities that connect the children also with the community and the world at large.

The most important quality for me is “courage”. The courage for them to speak out when it matters but equally to sit down and listen to others.  Courage to respect, understand, appreciate and value the views of others and themselves. The courage to have high expectations and ambitions for themselves and to be content with who they are. The courage to know what they want to achieve but also to pick themselves up when things are difficult and to be resilient going forward.  The courage to know that they can be a change maker and to strive to do the best they can in the world.

Aspiring – Our incredibly dedicated teachers instil in our pupils from Nursery onwards a love of learning, confidence in themselves and an aspiration to succeed.  They not only teach an incredibly full and varied curriculum but also help our pupils to see for themselves, thereby becoming confident, ambitious and independent learners. Our excellent educational provision is supported by strong pastoral care where the teachers truly know each child and instils in them a confidence to succeed and the self-believe that they can make a positive difference in the world around them. 

Inclusive – Colchester High School is proudly non-selective.  I believe that a good quality education, which helps all students to succeed, has the power to change the lives of all individuals, who in turn can make a positive difference to the world in which they live. Our welcoming environment and combination of small classes and high-quality teaching allows us to give each child the individual attention they need to flourish whilst our enriching curriculum and expansive enrichment programme allows them to pursue their own particular blend of talents. 

Co-educational - I strongly believe that children should learn in a co-educational environment where they not only learn alongside one another but learn about one another. A good, rounded, education should prepare students, academically, socially and emotionally for the life ahead of them. A life in which men and women work together, socialise together and live together.  Our excellent academic results for both our boys and girls are testimony that teaching in a co-educational environment can work.

Global Citizenship - As a school we strive for every pupil to achieve their very best in terms of academic achievement, but we also firmly believe that education should develop children’s character and to prepare them for the future.  I really enjoy working with our pupils on their character development programme “The Wellesley Award” which encourages them to focus on their personal character development whilst encouraging a strong community spirit and global mind-set.  Our pupils should not only have the skills, resilience and confidence required to face the opportunities and challenges of an ever changing world but the emotional intelligence and sense of social responsibility to help others and build strong community around them. 

Forward – thinking - Today schools need to prepare children for a digital future, both for inside and outside of school. 

Technological innovation and digital literacy have clearly transformed education, enhancing independent research, collaboration, global connectivity and aiding assessment – and in particular supporting the delivery of on-line lessons and distance learning in a Covid-environment.  

This is not about replacing the classroom face-to-face experience – quite the opposite.  It’s about incorporating technology into education so the things that work best face-to-face are prioritised.  For example, we know that learning happens most effectively through the discussion and debate of facts and concepts: it’s the discussion and debate that can be prioritised in the classroom, and the introduction to concepts and facts that can be done online. 

At Colchester High School each one of our pupils from Year 3 are issued with 1-2-1 devices to enhance student learning, develop the pupils as autonomous learners and ensure they are technologically prepared for life beyond school.