Staff profiles

Amee Patsides, NQT, Psychology and Law

"I started working at George Dixon Academy September 2011, initially in the SEN department as a Teaching Assistant. A year later I took on the position of Unqualified Teacher of A-Level Law and Psychology. During my first teaching year 42% of my Law class gained a grade A-C and 46% received A-C grades. I was supported by GDA to complete my teacher training. I completed the’ Assessment Only’ route to QTS at Newman University alongside full time work. Whilst training I have attended a number of professional development courses such as ‘Strengthening the Teaching of Research Methods’.

In August 2014, 42% of my A2 Psychology class gained their expected grade and 83% gained their expected grade or exceeded it. I have two terms left as an NQT and then hope to begin a MA in Education. My experience of George Dixon Academy tells a story of encouragement and support, of self and whole Academy improvement and of care continuous professional growth."

Paul Coley, Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form, Teacher of Science

"I have been a teacher at George Dixon since 1978. Everything about education has changed! From being a largely unregulated and amateur ‘profession’, every aspect of our work is now scrutinised and evaluated. And has this led to an improvement in the standard of education for students? Of course it has! People entering the profession are better qualified and better trained. They are far better equipped to provide their students with the support they need.

There is one thing that hasn’t changed in 36 years; the feel of George Dixon. Even through its difficult years of the 1980s it has always cared for its children. There have always been large numbers of staff who put the needs of their students first. I am very proud to be a teacher here."