Our staff are our greatest asset, and it is with their expertise, passion and teamwork that we can work together to build a community of successful learners. Join us as we shine a spotlight on members of staff across our academies, as they share their experiences and professional journeys within a THAT academy.

I joined the Trust in September 2024 as an Apprentice, completing my Level 3 TA qualification within 15 months. I am now a qualified TA, working within Year 5 supporting individual children with interventions, and supporting in Year R in the afternoons. I carry out phonics intervention daily, and I am lucky enough to have recently been given the opportunity to become Deanwood’s Home School Support Worker, working with the children of Deanwood and their families.

Deanwood is a close-knit school. We are lucky enough to have a fantastic team who all have the same outlook which is that every child is an individual who learns at their own pace. Their happiness and wellbeing is at the forefront of our minds. The leadership team is supportive and makes us feel valued and part of a successful team. Their door is always open to discuss problems or ideas. I have never worked within, or for, an organisation that makes me feel as valued, heard, recognised or important.

The leadership team at Deanwood gave me the opportunity to join the Trust as an Apprentice in 2024. Even though I have 20 years’ experience working with children aged 3 months to 12 years, I had never worked in a school setting. My leadership team gave me the opportunity to ‘get my foot in the door’, as I have always wanted to work in a school but was never successful before. My daughter came to Deanwood, and I have always loved the school and their ethos, and their approach to learning. I saw the job advertised and as my daughter left Deanwood in the July to go to secondary, I knew it was the right time and everything fell into place. Within 18 months, I achieved my Level 3 TA qualification, gaining a Double Distinction, and was given a new role and made part of the safeguarding team at Deanwood. Everyone at Deanwood was supportive, gave me help on my journey during the apprenticeship, and gave their time and energy to help answer questions I had.

My day is extremely busy, as I have many roles to play. I currently start my day welcoming all the children and families into school. I carry out maths interventions with two year 5 children every day for an hour and half. I complete a daily phonics lesson with my group for 45 minutes. I then go in to support Year R. 3 afternoons a week I work in Year R, and Wednesday afternoons I complete my Home School Support work, where I meet with parents and children’s families when they are in need of support or help.

My favourite thing about teaching is that no two days are the same, and the children really appreciate the work you do to help them through their education. I enjoy imparting wisdom and seeing how children can flourish, supporting families and building relationships to help them through their educational journey with Deanwood.

The leadership team is supportive and makes us feel valued and part of a successful team.

There are many benefits to working for the Trust. Having private healthcare through Benenden is beneficial to me and my family, for that ‘just in case’ moment. They also give great advice when our NHS system is extremely busy. 

As mentioned above, I have been lucky enough to be given the role of Home School Support Worker, where I have been sent on safeguarding training and become one of the safeguarding leads at Deanwood.I have attended First Aid Training, which is a must at school, but also for me as a Mum and my family. I also attended Read Write Ink training, which has been great to help support my phonics knowledge, so I can give the children the best possible learning opportunities.

Last year, I was nominated for Primary Support Staff of the Year by children and their families, and staff. This was one of the proudest moments of my life. I have never won anything, but I went on to win! Hearing what the children said about me was a feeling I will never forget. The Trust having these annual awards nights are so personal, a great way for all educational settings to come together and celebrate the fantastic work that our staff do to help the children in our care succeed to their next chapter.

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