As one of the team that founded the school, I have been fully involved as the school has developed into the tiny independent school it is today – catering for children from 4 to 16 and receiving some outstanding affirmation from recent school inspections. As a member of the SLT my key roles were:Head of Pastoral Care Development and oversight of the House System, discipline system and work experience programExaminations OfficerMember of the SEN teamDealing with parent concerns or complaintsGathering and analysing data for the School Self Appraisal process and SIEFCreating and reviewing the school Development Plan and initiating action Policy writingOffice administration including updating website and data analysisOrganising school events such as charity days, competitions and concerts

It is a privilege to teach in a school where class sizes never exceed 10 and to be able to tailor the work so individually to the needs of each child. I have had the joy of seeing many pupils who came lacking confidence in their abilities or who had been told that they would not succeed in mathematics, grow in understanding and in enjoyment of this important subject. I am proud of their achievements and proud that their mathematics GCSE examination results were consistently one of their best, if not the best of their grades.Despite the upper age limit of 16, a number of exceptionally bright mathematicians amongst the upper seniors over the years has meant that I have been able to teach some level 3 material as well as GCSE: A level pure maths, statistics and level 3 FSMQ.Attendance at many exam board teacher support meetings, my role as mathematics examiner for AQA and my role as exams officer have all helped ensure that I stay well informed about the latest thinking in the teaching of maths. I am ensuring that I maintain that through familiarisation of the new GCSE specifications, keeping abreast of government curriculum material and continued employment as an examiner.

I used this academic year to gain experience of teaching younger children and to prepare and plan for the opening of the Christian School (Takeley).The year included a term of maternity cover for a Y6 class in Northgate Primary School.