After earning an English Literature degree from Durham University, I joined the Teach First programme and began teaching at a large secondary school in East London. Over time, I progressed from classroom teacher to Head of House and then to the Senior Leadership team, gaining a deeper understanding of our role as educators and our impact on each child's journey.

In 2022, after five years in London, I moved to Portugal to join the founding secondary teaching team at King's College School, Cascais. Being part of the school's evolution has been a privilege, and I've learned valuable lessons about the nature of a new school undergoing significant developmental changes. I hope to bring this experience to my new role as Head of English at BSL.

Growing up, I always thought I would become a lawyer, until some work experience taught me that this career path might not resemble 'Legally Blonde' in the ways that my teenage-self had hoped. Choosing Teach First felt like a gamble - and was a real baptism of fire - but I immediately fell in love with the buzz of the school environment. Human interactions bring me great joy and schools are very social places. Ultimately, teaching is about building and nurturing relationships: with your students first and foremost, with colleagues, with parents. Teaching offers a unique opportunity to connect with young people, gain their trust, and broaden their horizons. This is a great reason to go to work everyday!

What I love most about being a teacher in no particular order: being kept on my toes (literally and metaphorically - your daily step count as a teacher is high!); when a class becomes hooked on a great plot and great characters; watching friendships form and flourish; helping students to navigate challenges; the sense of community and energy at the heart of a school; no two days being the same; the daily inspiration - and humour - that comes from being around young minds; a really good analytical paragraph.