Claremont Senior Leadership Team

A phrase or saying that inspires you. ‘It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it’.

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Don’t worry too much about what others think about you.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. I am a musician. I have been a classical singer for 38 years both as a soloist and always as a singer in chamber choirs, working with top amateur, semi-professional and professional chamber choirs around the country. My only gap was when I was in India. During this time I set up and ran a choir. I also, with 3 friends, started a band specialising in the rearrangement of ragtime and swing music from the 1920s  – four part harmonies, kazoos, ukulele, guitar, fiddles and trombone. We performed at many festivals, weddings and parties over a 10 year period, including 6 Glastonbury Festivals! After a 10 year gap, we have just reformed!

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Estates Manager

What has being a teacher taught YOU? To remember that everyone is different and to listen to people.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Singing, reading music and running.

A phrase or saying that inspires you. ‘The arc of history bends towards justice.’

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? You do not know as much as you think you do.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. At the age of 18 I starred as the lead in a very successful play on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A reviewer described my performance as ‘chilling’. I think it was meant as a compliment. The promoter ran off to Australia with all the takings and that was the end of a budding career in acting.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? In my dreams a Test Cricketer; in reality perhaps a journalist or lawyer.

What has being a teacher taught YOU? Not to judge a book by its cover.

What are you currently getting better at? Perfecting my samosa recipe.

What phrase or saying inspires you? Every day is a learning day.

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. I am left handed and right footed!

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Police Officer

What has being a teacher taught you? We all learn in different ways.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Being a Head Teacher!

A phrase or saying that inspires you. ‘A winner is a dreamer who never gives up’. Nelson Mandela

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? If you really want it enough, you can make anything happen.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. I achieved Grade 7 Piano but HATE performing in front of anyone!

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? A marine biologist in New Zealand studying Bottle nosed dolphins

What has being a teacher taught YOU? That I definitely don’t have all the answers.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Enquiry led learning

A phrase or saying that inspires you. ‘Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow” ‘

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self?  It’s much more interesting not to be the same as everyone else.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Probably back to company accounts and financial structuring spreadsheets – much less interesting than my current role!

What has being a teacher taught YOU? That it is still possible to learn new things every day!

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? I am currently getting better at the crow pose in yoga. I still fall over every time I try it, so not much sign of progress at the moment.

A phrase or saying that inspires you. I love inspirational quotes – so it changes daily. As I like running, here is one from Roger Bannister, “However ordinary each of us may seem, we are all in some way special and can do things that are extraordinary, perhaps until then… even thought impossible”.

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Try not to worry about what other people think of you.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. I have played rugby at representative level and I was a Karate brown belt.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Animal Conservation, or something in Ecology.

What has being a teacher taught YOU? How to explain concepts in a variety of ways.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? I’m always trying to improve, so hopefully a lot of things!

A phrase or saying that inspires you. ‘We are the stuff that stars are made of‘

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Enjoy the freedom of being young and take the time to get involved in as many different activities and “things” as you can. It is so much harder to find the time to do so later in life

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. In my first year at University I rowed for my college’s novice 1st eight and I love to make things, including jumpers for my boys.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Probably still a Database Manager.

What has being a teacher taught YOU? Learning takes place in many ways and many places.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Time Management!

A phrase or saying that inspires you. ‘Play is the highest form of research‘ – Albert Einstein

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Just have a go.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. I have a sausage dog!

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Psychologist or a gardener.

What has being a teacher taught YOU? Help other staff before sorting out yourself!

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Life / work balance

A phrase or saying the inspires you. ‘Before you judge a person, walk a mile in their shoes’

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Whatever you thought was going to happen, won’t. And that is OK, and possibly even better.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know.  There is a photo of me aged 8 in the Head’s office at the Prep School.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead?  Foreign Correspondent

What has being a teacher taught YOU? Teaching is only a small part of our jobs. We are mentors, role models, counsellors, confidants, champions, and sometimes the enemy.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Spelling. It is a constant work!

A phrase or saying that inspires you. Your limitation is only your imagination…

If you could go back in time to your own school days, what advice would you give your younger self? Maximise any opportunity that comes your way, be positive, confident and compassionate. Always remain open to new learning, new ideas and never close doors on different ways of thinking.

Tell us something about yourself not a lot of people would know. I rode a mule 7 miles down the Grand Canyon, which was covered in ice, with a sheer drop of over 4,000 feet! It was quite a challenge for someone with a fear of heights.

If you weren’t a teacher, what job would you be doing instead? Something involving children’s learning or development, possibly paediatric nursing.

What has being a teacher taught YOU? That education should ALWAYS be about the child.

What are you currently ‘getting better’ at? Ensuring that I have regular designated time to reflect and review in order to make changes that positively enhance all aspects of the children’s day.