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 began my time at Deanwood as an ECT and am now in my third-year post ECT. I have been at Deanwood for a total of 5 years altogether.

Each day, I arrive at school and head straight to the classroom to set up. First, I make sure the visual timetable is ready and the date on the board is updated—the children will always let me know if I have forgotten this! Then, I check to make sure all my resources for all of my lessons are prepared and ready for the day. Finally, I check my emails and load the PowerPoints ready for the day on my laptop.

At the door, I greet every child and their family with a smile and a "good morning" to start the day on a positive note. Life in our classroom is wonderfully busy; we are always on the go, and I am constantly amazed at what we manage to achieve together in a single day. Our days are packed with purposeful practice, times tables fluency, Maths, SPAG, guided reading, and handwriting.

At Deanwood, we block our learning, which keeps every day feeling fresh and exciting. One day we might be geographers exploring "Where is China?", and the next, we are scientists investigating "How can we keep the porridge hot?". To round it all off, we love getting outside for our Daily Mile and coming together for teacher-led assemblies.

Beyond the classroom routine, I have a genuine passion for teaching - especially Maths! As someone who thrives on being organised, I find a real sense of accomplishment in a well-structured lesson plan and the satisfying 'click' of ticking items off my to-do list. However, what truly keeps me inspired is the 'lightbulb moment' - that wonderful second when a child suddenly grasps a tricky concept and their confidence soars. It is a privilege to witness that growth every day. Working alongside such supportive parents and wonderful children makes coming into Deanwood a joy, and I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love.

I feel incredibly lucky to work within such a supportive staff culture where collaboration (internally and externally) is at the heart of everything we do. The leadership team and fellow staff at Deanwood have been instrumental in my journey, providing not only the emotional support that makes a busy school day easier but also the investment in my career. It’s a culture where everyone—from the most experienced leader to the newest member of staff—is encouraged to keep growing, which ultimately means we can provide the very best for our pupils.

Beyond the formal leadership support, there is a wonderful culture of sharing best practices through trust-wide professional development meetings. This 'open door' policy means that expertise is always shared, and no one is ever working in isolation. Trust-wide professional development meetings are held termly at THAT and allow colleagues to come together and moderate books, talk about and develop the curriculum, and complete necessary training together.

Being offered middle management training, the opportunity to mentor trainee teachers, and help implement OPAL within Deanwood has been a real highlight for me. These opportunities have allowed me to look at the 'bigger picture' of school life and play a part in shaping our future curriculum. The school’s commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a priority. Whether it is attending subject-specific workshops to bring the latest teaching strategies into all lessons, or participating in peer-to-peer observations to share best practices with my colleagues, there is always a focus on improvement. This investment in my career doesn't just stay in my notebook—it goes straight back into the classroom. By mentoring new teachers, I am able to reflect on my own practice while helping to maintain the high standards we pride ourselves on. It is incredibly rewarding to work in an environment that doesn't just see me as a teacher, but as a lifelong learner."

I feel incredibly lucky to work within such a supportive staff culture where collaboration (internally and externally) is at the heart of everything we do.

---

If you’re passionate about making a difference in education and ready to inspire the next generation, visit MyNewTerm to see our latest vacancies, and to join our talent pool to stay up to date with new opportunities: