As a teacher, I wanted to set out to give as many opportunities to my students as possible. I feel college shouldn’t JUST be about exams. Yes they are important, but so is making friends, developing communication and team working skills. Students need to leave college with a bucket load of lifeskills to ensure they are successful. As a teacher, I want to help make that happen.

Growing up, I was lucky enough to explore many places from London to Edinburgh, New Orleans to Malawi. I felt with every trip I learnt about different cultures, I gained confidence, I was inspired and I loved the memories I have created. I know that not all students get that chance. Not all venture out further than their local town, and so to me, this is an important part in their education. Finding their feet in new lands.

I have loved organising trips, such as our overnight stay in London where students worked on making a magazine article about Covent Garden fashion, visited the James Bond museum, had an exclusive film screening of Black Panther and spent the day being creative in Sky studios. It has allowed a broad range of students to experience the world of work and encourage students to collaborate and network. This has strengthened confidence and communication and ultimately, them as an individual. 

With all the trips, workshops, guest speakers and clubs we plan, we always have the students’ experience as a key outcome. We want our students to be strong, resilient and cultured individuals, as they leave us and enter the world of work and university. I believe we do this with ‘bells on’ and will continue to do this forever.