What inspired you to be a teacher?

When I was at secondary school my two younger brothers were home-schooled, and my mum took on their education, which is what made me think about teaching and what it might be like. I loved school and made my mind up to be a teacher in my final year.

Tell us about your path into teaching:

My first experience was with my Aunt’s Class, she is a teacher in France. I taught the group English, read them stories and translated them and one day we all dressed as the Wild Things from ‘Where the Wild Things Are’. I can remember every lesson I taught that week. I even went on my first school trip to the Cathedral in Laon with the group. What stood out was that every day they did what felt like hours of cursive handwriting. The children were aged 6 and 7 (Year 2) and I have never seen more beautiful script from such young children! I didn’t see a Science lesson the entire week however. I worked in local schools when I was in Upper Sixth and went straight into a Primary Teaching degree.

What do you love most about teaching?

The lightbulb moments! The awe when the children see or hear something they didn’t know before, usually from another child who has heard an amazing fact, or a trick to work out the answer to any number multiplied by 11, or when they have worked incredibly hard and thought so carefully and something just clicked!

What were you like at school?

Mostly a little confused early on; I would read things incorrectly, get the wrong end of the stick and be just slightly behind everyone else’s thinking, but this got better as I went through school and it helps me now as a teacher. I enjoyed being at school though and was around people all the time. I’m still best friends with classmates I’ve known since I was eleven. I loved music and art and developed a real love for humanities. When GCSEs came around I started looking more towards Sciences, but I could never choose a favourite. Now I have to say it is Maths.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An artist or designer!

What’s the most important lesson you can teach?

That other people’s opinion of you is not your business and that making mistakes is part of learning. I wish I had understood this as a child and even though I was told all the time it did not sink in until I was in my 20’s.

What makes Marlborough House such a special place to be?

The warm way everyone greets each other every time they meet. The grounds are magical in every season and that there are so many opportunities for each pupil to achieve amazing things.

Quick-fire questions:

School House: Hawkings

Years at MHS: 5

Clubs: Chess and Running

Unusual fact: I sneeze when I eat dark chocolate

Highlight of my day: My dog’s face when I get home

The book I am reading: 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel

Most memorable moment at MHS: Too many to single out: the colour run, the concerts, the plays, the trips …………