I am a Teacher in school.

I grew up in Redcar and attended West Dyke Infant and Junior School, then Saltscar Comprehensive . When I left school, my parents wanted me to study A Levels at 6th Form college, but I had other ideas!

Instead I went to Stockton and Billingham Technical College for 2 years and qualified as a Nursery Nurse (NNEB).

I worked on supply in a number of local schools before starting my first job as the Nursery Nurse at Riverdale Primary School. During that time I began volunteering at playschemes for children with special needs and realised that was the direction I wanted my work to follow.

I loved my job at Riverdale but decided to apply for a Teaching Assistant vacancy at Kirkleatham Hall School in 1991 never dreaming I’d be successful. Luckily I was!

I left Kirkleatham in 1996 for pastures new, including a stint at West Redcar School, before returning in 2002 to my favourite school I’ve worked in, namely Kirkleatham Hall. I completed my BA Honours Degree in English and Education in 2003, and then my Masters Degree in Education seven years later. However, my proudest career moment, after completing the Graduate Teaching Programme, was being appointed as a teacher at Kirkleatham Hall School in 2004.

My current role is Phase Leader for Primary department, working as part of the Senior Leadership Team.