Memories of School

I have fond memories of all the good and the bad. The good would be the Mathematical inspiration that was Mr Skipper; the exceptionally talented PE teacher Mr Allsop and counting to 10 in different languages whilst stretching; chatting to the wonderful ex-headmaster Doug Little on the way to and from school in the mornings; winning regional cross country events; somehow winning a golf tournament (the trophy is still proudly displayed in my cabinet); the football team going undefeated for two seasons in a row and our basketball team facing off against Gaywood Park girls’ team for one of the best matches we played. I still remember Mr Rushton laughing incessantly at me falling over and fighting for the ball with one of the girls.

The not so good would be me coming to school in a skirt to protest the fact boys couldn’t wear shorts, being late to school almost every day because I had a job in the mornings and generally not being motivated to study for exams!

I would describe myself as a student that could certainly have made more of my time studying at school – I was fortunate to achieve good A-level grades Maths, Further Maths, Biology and PE. Living and growing up in Hunstanton in an area and family of low aspiration made it difficult to really make the most of school. I was receiving free school meals and lived in a low-income household. I loved learning but had no interest in examination success. It is a combination of these and my experiences at Smithdon both good and bad that have driven me to find the success I have. So much so I am now very heavily involved in shaping Maths Education across the UK. I am sure during my sixth form years I was somewhat of a difficult student to manage at times.

What jobs I have done since leaving school

Since graduating Loughborough University with a degree in Mathematics, I have worked for General Electric in Aerospace Project Management before receiving the Institute of Maths Scholarship to support me in embarking on a career in Maths education.

After completing my NQT year in Hackney, London I became KS4 Maths Lead in Greenwich, London for one year before then taking on a role as Head of Department for three years at a Grammar School in Sidcup. I then progressed to Lead Practitioner and leading CPD in Secondary and Post-16 Maths Education for one year, before taking over the London South East Plus Maths Hub. I now am part of the Senior Leadership Team at a school in Southwark, London and oversee delivery of the government funded Maths Hub Programmes as well as running subject leadership training for teachers on behalf of the National Council for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics. In my current role I lead on Primary, Secondary and Post-16 Maths improvement for the London Boroughs of Bexley, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and The City.

Aside from this work I do talks for the Institute of Mathematics Scholarship Programme and visit schools to do free consultations and support their departments in delivering improvement.

Message for current students

No matter where you come from, no matter who you are surrounded by, make the most of every experience. You will learn from both the good and the bad and be all the better for it. Set yourself high expectations and work towards them. I will always regret not making the most of my opportunities when I was younger, don’t live life with regrets. Set yourself goals and don’t be afraid to ask people for guidance on how to achieve them! Norfolk can be an isolating place but you will gain experiences that many others will not, you have the opportunity to build on your initiative and independence. It is how you deal with adversity and challenges that will make you proudest.

 

Memories of School:

The staff team were outstanding, the quality of education excellent and the support networks fantastic; however, I didn’t really enjoy school. I have since had enduring determination to better myself, which has led me to travel all around the world in my career and achieve things I never thought possible.

What Jobs have you done since leaving school:

I completed the first year of Sixth Form before moving to a level 3 BTEC in Uniformed Public Services at the College of West Anglia. I cannot recommend this course enough! Even to those not interested in serving in the armed forces. This course gave me self-confidence and mental and physical robustness and determination which spurred me on the path that eventually led me to join the British Army.

I went to the University of Worcester where I studied Outdoor Adventure Leadership & Management as well as gaining experience in Mountaineering, Climbing, Kayaking & Canoeing. It was also around this time I Joined the British Army, where I served with the BUOTC under the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. By half way through my second year I had achieved the rank of Platoon Sergeant and was responsible for training potential officers for combat duties around the world. I also completed the Pegasus Company pre-parachute selection course with the Parachute Regiment, and the Royal Marine Commando endurance course. I was later selected to represent the British Army in the Chimaltlali military skills competition in Mexico, where a team of UK soldiers competed against 30 other nations in a range of military operations and challenges. Later, I represented the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst on the Cambrian Patrol military skills competition in Wales. I also qualified as a Combat Team Medic and travelled to several countries.

After three years with the British Army, my career shifted again to Humanitarian aid and charity work. In 2017,  I went to Tanzania in Sub-Saharan Africa where I worked as a team leader for a charity called Raleigh International on a Poverty Reduction and Livelihoods program. After three months in Africa I was promoted to Deputy Operations Manager, where I oversaw the training and development of over 2000 entrepreneurs and the establishment of over 326 new micro enterprises. Helping to raise local people out of poverty, I was then offered the same role in Raleigh’s office in Kathmandu in Nepal where I managed the agricultural livelihoods program. I was also lucky enough to go trekking in the Himalayas on several occasions; the most notable of which was a trek on Mt Annapurna (see photo, taken at just under 13,200ft), the tenth highest mountain in the world at 26,545ft. My time in the Himalayas also gave me one of my first tastes for ultra-marathon running when a friend and I summitted 30 Himalayan peaks in 5 days, all whilst providing support to Raleigh teams on the ground across the Ghorka region and narrowly escaping a leopard or two!

After this I returned to the UK where I continued my ultra-running, completing my longest run to date which was the best part of Hadrian’s Wall from West to East (approximately 122km) in just under 19 hours. I also studied a Master of Science in Education Leadership & Management at the University of East Anglia, whilst concurrently studying to become a qualified Personal Trainer. I graduated with a 1^st class honours and gained distinction in my Personal Training cadre. I have since specialised in Cardiovascular Endurance training and have worked with many clients including one or two national level athletes. Following my graduation I was offered a job as Head of Conservation for the Bukit Lawang Trust, an environmental conservation & sustainable Human development charity based in the jungle in North Sumatra. Since starting there in 2019, I have been promoted twice, first to Programs Manager and then to my current role as Director of Operations. In this role I am responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Bukit Lawang Trusts operations, in accordance with their overarching global strategy. I take the lead on the design and development of new programs, partnerships and relationships as well as working to develop the Trusts Indonesia country strategy, whilst ensuring compliance with legal policy, process and standards. I am responsible for the quality, impact and safe delivery of the Bukit Lawang Trusts portfolio globally.

Looking forward, I shall be overseeing the establishment of education centres across South East Asia, Sub Saharan Africa & South America for the Trusts international arm, The Planet Earth Trust. Additionally I am currently in the early stages of writing a BTEC Level 3 curriculum in ‘Active Global Citizenship’ that I hope to deliver at my own education centre in the coming years. I am also training hard, to prepare myself mentally and physically for a circumnavigation of the globe, which I hope to begin on my 35^th birthday.

A message for current students:

I will say what I wish someone had said to me when I was in High School, in the hope that if even one student reads this and finds some value within these words, it was a worthwhile endeavour.

You don’t need A levels to get to University. You don’t need a degree to get a good job, and no matter how hard you work, or how well prepared you are, the very best plans fall apart at the first sign of trouble.

There are over 7 billion people on Earth, and therefore there are over 7 billion correct ways to live your life. You do not have to follow the crowd.

You can and often will, fail at doing things you don’t enjoy and don’t care about, so you might as well try doing what you love!  

Study HARD. VERY HARD! You only get one shot at school. Make it count, because if you have to come back later you are paying for it.

Concurrent activity is your best friend. If you are only working on one thing you’re missing an opportunity. There are 24 hours in the day. You need 6 hours sleep and you are at school for 8. That gives you 10 hours to improve yourself. But don’t forget to have fun! Because without fun in your life what’s the point?

All through your life, people will tell you, “You can’t do that.” Or “it’s not possible.” Just remember. Everything is impossible until somebody does it. If you have dreams don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.

Memories: I remember having great opportunities to partake in different sports clubs, Maths club on a Wednesday and numerous fashion shows for which I had many hours of fun making the outfits for. In Year 9, I went on a trip to UEA with my Dad which was absolutely fantastic and grew my dream of going to University.

Since Leaving: Once I finished my A-levels at Smithdon High School, I went onto complete my undergraduate and masters degree in Biology at the University of Portsmouth in which I gained a 2:1 and a distinction in respectively. Following on from this, I moved to Oxford where I worked as a molecular and cellular Biology research assistant at the MRC Mary Lyon centre in Harwell. Since then I have moved to work at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS trust, where I currently work as a genetic technologist in molecular haematology. I undertake genetic testing for white cell disorders, including but not limited to different types of leukaemia.

Message to Current Students: Work experience is your best friend; it gives you a great opportunity to try a career out whether that is in school or whilst at university. It never hurts to try new opportunities, and you just might find something that you love.

 

Memories: I can remember the teachers at Smithdon High School being so supportive and continually ensuring us all that we were working hard to achieve our predicted grade.  A fond memory of being a Smithdon High School student was taking part in the drama shows including We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Super Star and the Wizard of Oz. We all had a great time at rehearsals and by doing these shows it gave me some much-needed confidence. 

Since leaving: I decided to study childhood studies at college, however I didn’t take that route as my career. Instead, I started working for the College of West Anglia for the National Citizenship Service (NCS programme) and while I was working there, I did an apprenticeship in Customer Services. After three years, I then became a barista for Thornham Deli and worked my way up to being a supervisor. After three years of being at the Thornham Deli, NCS was taken over by a company called EBP so now I work for them promoting and supporting the NCS programme.

Message to Current Students: It does not matter if you do not know what you want to do for the rest of your life just yet. I studied Drama, Resistant Materials, and Childcare at GCSE and I got good grades in them all. I went on to study childhood studies at BTEC level. I have also got a qualification in customer services. I am 23 and I am still not 100% sure on what I want to do when I am older. My only advice is to try not to close any opportunity doors. Keep an open mind and give things a go. If anyone tells you that you cannot achieve something, prove them wrong.

 

Smithdon Memories:

My memories of school are always great ones, I was fortunate enough to have many great friends and a large amount who I am still in contact with as of now. School was full of laughter, smiles and obviously hard work. The teachers were kind and wanted the best for the students which particularly sticks with you once heading into your chosen subjects in GCSE/A-Levels. My favourite subject was always Geography which lead me onto where I am today.

Since Leaving:

Since leaving Sixth Form I went straight into university and did an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Geography and graduated with a 2:1. Also whilst studying I always worked locally at Heacham Manor and also at CITB before I started a masters. I started a masters in Urban and Regional Planning at Heriot Watts University in Edinburgh in 2019 but then things changed when I did a week’s work experience with the planning team at the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk. After this in summary, I applied for a job at the council, and for over a year now been an assistant planner for the planning policy team, where I am doing my masters apprenticeship in chartered town planning at London South Bank University. I hope in the next two years I will be a member of the royal town planning institute and a chartered town planner once finishing my masters and apprenticeship.

Message to Current Students:

My main message for students now is enjoy every moment, be kind to your friends, peers and teachers, and do your best that is all people can ask. If you know yourself that you worked as hard as you could and revised (when you can) you should be proud. Best of luck.

 

Memories of School

I always liked school. I chose the subjects I enjoyed, and the ones I knew that I would revise for. I remember spending my lunch times in the Art room having a chat. I liked Mr France’s little characters that he would draw on the desks. I also have not so fond memories of the sweltering heat in the Science classrooms. 

What jobs I have done since leaving school

I have been a sailing instructor during the Summer at Snettisham. I have also worked as a waitress in Thornham. I have enjoyed volunteering for Scouts and Young Leaders. I like to say yes to any opportunity that comes my way. 

Message for current students

Work hard and take all the excellent opportunities that will come your way in school. Remember that there is a whole world of people for you to meet and lots of places to see in the future.