Becky Annetts has been at Oakley Vale Primary School since it opened, working in a variety of areas including interim Vice Principal, before being officially appointed this month.

Becky started at the school as a Year 1 class teacher. Over the past ten years she has been KS2 Lead, Maths Lead, Phase Leader and completed her National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders before becoming Assistant Head then stepping up to her new role.

Her VP remit is wellbeing and behaviour and, as well as retaining KS2 Lead, she also has responsibility for Pupil Premium and Looked After Children. She has also taken over SEN (for maternity leave) and is completing the SEN national qualification and providing cover for Year 5 and Year 6 teachers.

She said: 'It is strange not doing planning and marking after being a class teacher for so long, however there are plenty of other things to keep me busy, especially with the SEN strand. The cover work means that I will still have some time in the classroom, so I won’t be completely hands-off.

‘With the new role I am looking forward to having more of a “whole school overview.” I am at an advantage as I know the school so well, but it is about having time to delve deeper and get a greater understanding of issues. It is also about having an open door so people can chat about issues concerning them or their children.

‘I went into teaching to have a positive impact on children’s lives and I wanted to stay at Oakley Vale because I have been given lots of opportunities to progress at the right time in my career. I have seen the school grow and have a lot of respect for people that I have worked with. I am lucky that I have been part of the journey to get to this point.

‘I am looking forward to working closely with Emma and Katie, and also having greater links with colleagues at the other Trust primaries to see how we can help each other out and share ideas.  I feel supported by the Brooke Weston Trust and have had the training and encouragement to develop my career to this point. You have to grow into the role and make it your own but there is always a support network within the school and the Trust. I am organised, communicative and approachable and am really looking forward to making a difference.’

 

 

Katie Mason is relishing the challenge of her new role at Oakley Vale Primary School where she has responsibility for teaching & learning and the curriculum.

She brings a wealth of experience from her 19 years in the profession, having worked in diverse settings, including deprived urban schools and the private sector.

Katie’s specialism is in literacy and KS1 teaching and her initial focus will be on getting to know the students and families and helping to provide stability and leadership for the next phase in the school’s development.

She said: ‘I have been assistant head previously but this is my first Vice Principal role. What I loved at my old school, and what I am sure I’ll get to know here, are the amazing families and children. Being there for them is the part of the job that I absolutely love. My first priority is getting to know the school, staff and students and there’s a lot of young teachers here so it would be nice to support them. I have always mentored NQTs and have had student teachers every single year and I love being involved with that.’

Although Katie won’t have her own class she will still be in the classroom, teaching Year 2 lessons and doing cover work, which will provide a balance to her strategic new role. She has already carried out learning walks around the school and will work with Emma and Becky to gauge priority areas:

‘They are very supportive and welcoming and know the school inside out. I am looking forward to getting to know them and sharing their knowledge, but, as a newcomer, I should also be able to bring a different perspective as well. I am also looking forward to being part of a Brooke Weston Trust School as that provides support, collaboration and opportunities to work with colleagues from other schools, which will be an added dimension to this role.

‘Teaching is fun and I do love it. It is really hard work and, with a family myself, it can be really tough at times, but more than anything it is incredibly rewarding Everyone has been very welcoming and so, even after only my first few weeks at Oakley Vale Primary School, I know that this has been the right career move.’