Amy

School: Sharnbrook Academy

Employer: King Edward's School and King Edward VI High School for Girls

Job Title: Partnerships and Participation Manager

Qualifications:

• 11 GCSEs (10 A*s and 1 A), 1 AS Level in English Literature (A), 4 A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Geography and World Development (3 A*s and 1 A), a First Class Honours Degree (BA Geography), a PGCE (Distinction) and Qualified Teacher Status

Profile

And what a journey this has been... I followed the same route as many of my friends and family members by going straight into University from school for what were 3 of the most challenging, but incredible, years studying a subject that I absolutely loved. After not really having any fixed career plans for when I graduated (with a real interest in potentially travelling), I was open to getting a job in pretty much anything (that paid a relatively decent salary!). My best friend who had graduated a couple of years before me therefore persuaded me to 'try out' teaching and lead in the setting up of a brand new geography department up in Birmingham at a free school where she was also a teacher. And so my journey into teaching began, completing my teacher training in the following academic year and pursuing a maternity cover contract for my newly qualified teacher year at King Edward's School. This took me to St Paul's School in London, following my desire to live in London and progress my career at one of the UK's leading independent schools for boys. But, Covid and missing my life back up in Birmingham changed my plans entirely a year or so later, and I decided to accept a position as Director of Learning for Geography at a state comprehensive secondary school in Small Heath, Birmingham. I quickly realised however that a middle leadership position in a teaching and learning focused role was taking me further away from the part of the job I loved the most - just being in the classroom teaching the subject that I was passionate about. I therefore used the next step in my career journey to take a step out of teaching - after all, I was keen to try out something different having only ever taught since leaving university. It was the possibility to work as part of the Partnerships department back at King Edward's School that then appealed to me hugely. Both KES and its partner neighbouring girls school, King Edward VI High School for Girls, have partnered with local primary schools from across Birmingham and the West Midlands for many years, supporting primary teachers in raising aspirations among their pupils by offering free activities and access to our facilities to complement and extend what children are doing in school, alongside CPD opportunities for primary teachers. More recently, my job has involved setting up events, workshops and student conferences as part of emerging partnerships with our fellow Foundation schools, reflecting our position as two leading independent schools within the unique private-public educational charity that is the King Edward VI Foundation (an educational charity made up of 2 independent, 6 state grammar and 5 state comprehensive secondary schools). Therefore, the importance of establishing key, productive partnerships, as well as the huge variety of enrichment opportunities available shines a unique light on the work carried out by KES and KEHS, and indeed the wider independent school communities. Becoming a team member, and since being promoted to a Manager role working across both the boys and girls schools, of such a department has been an exciting opportunity to synthesise my skills and interests in teaching and learning, admissions, widening access, marketing and analytics. The role has allowed me to continue working closely with KES boys and KEHS girls, alongside other key stakeholders, whilst serving to establish and refine the school’s widening access agenda. Most importantly, it's a role that makes me excited for the future and is a job I wake up everyday excited to continue!

Advice to students

Never be afraid of saying 'yes' and taking opportunities where and when they come. Be open to meeting and learning from new people that come into your life as you never know what these conversations and relationships will expose you to - be excited and not fearful of the adventure!

Additional Resources