Staff profiles

My job provides me with the opportunity to be myself, as I am a very sociable person and enjoy working in collaboration with members of other staff as well as providing a professional yet friendly role with my students. Ensuring my students come first and working as a team together with other members of staff aiming to create and gain great results.

Firstly, I have been made welcome from all members from my department to pastoral to the senior leadership team (SLT), who have all provided me with support and guided me through my time at MHCC. In joining the department, staff have made the transition easy and ensured I have all the relevant documents / materials needed to ensure I can teach effectively.

The sharing of practices by having open door policy with senior members of the department have made any misconceptions I had quickly brushed away. I always liase with my head of department on improving my practice and worked on improving my subject pedagogy.

I feel I have made a big difference to my students. A huge number of students come from backgrounds that are challenging and I feel that when they attend my lesson they put the issues to one side and work with me to see a brighter future. I want all my students to succeed and have changed mindsets and believe in themselves which I do.

I have faced a huge amount of challenges this year with plugging gaps in knowledge, for some, staying after school may seem like a chore however, for me it is something I love to do. Making the small differences is something I came into teaching for.

I feel some students are misinterpreted. They have potential, but it is using the potential that is an issue. We have a few diamonds in the class but do not always let them prosper. I generally have a good rapport with my classes and they believe in myself, don’t get me wrong I do face a few challenges but without these I would lose the buzz I currently have.

A calm collective place where I feel valued, the support I have received by my head of department has been more than I had anticipated. He not only looks at my wellbeing but also guides me in the right direction. He has a belief we can improve year on year and he is convincing. The department has an open-door policy so I am able to walk into any class and observe, discuss and not having a negative impact.

We are a department that is moving forward very fast with a lot of new ideas from Pixl, diagnostic questioning, working with University of Salford / Nottingham to name a few.

Intervention seems to be the key this year and possible for a further year at least. I have put myself forward for form intervention, after school at least twice a week, along with evening intervention (By the way offering a small meal has been a true success).

Mr Umran has also got me involved in attending a problem-solving course (this has never been the norm in my last school), a different environment is sometimes nice.

I would advise them to come with an open mind as there is lot’s to be achieved. Be ready for a challenge as to ensure our students reach the highest grades that we know they are capable off. We will need to be ready to run the marathon ahead, accepting all the tears and sweat along with enjoying the laughter and joys along the way.

There is a great staff circle there who will support you all the way, along with the advantage of playing football on Fridays if you are interested. We have a great head teacher who listens, SLT who care and departments that make you feel welcome. Pressure does exist but if we all take a small amount, everyone feels a lot lighter.

Through professional practise sessions and working in collaboration with the Head of Department. I also learnt how to analyse and use data to close the gap between PP and non-PP students. This has also taught me the gap and difference between the boys and girls achievements with the use of Sisra being paramount. I have also understood the importance of PP students and how we as professionals can help them.

In September I intend to play a significant part in the launch of diagnostic questioning along with other ideas we have been looking at, such as standard lessons. This is something that hopefully will come into place next year.

I have a circle of support from my Head of year, Head of department and Senior Leadership Team, including Rob Holmes. There is ultimate support during the professional practise sessions on Teaching and Learning with Helen Butler and Sarah Pinder. Someone who is always available to lend an ear and support is the Headteacher Alyson Littlewood.

I believe you need to work hard, be determined and opportunities will come up. I believe in working within the department with a recognised responsibility.

Colleagues at MHCC are amongst the most supportive with whom I have ever worked. They have a sense of humour, professionalism and encouragement. Colleagues support those who need it and celebrate those who have accomplished.

We are also lucky to have a beautiful building with some of the most amazing views in Lancashire. Our facilities promote a sense of pride and are a pleasure to work in.

Our children are challenging, inspirational and demanding. I like the wide range of backgrounds, histories, cultures and behaviours that our children bring. I like to watch their journeys, however turbulent these can be.

I have been with MHCC since it was created and have found support in many forms. Professionally I have been supported through access to in house and external training, time to develop new courses, guidance in coaching other staff, training to train those new to the professional and supporting those who have taught for many years and requested additional support. I have always been listened to. If students present specific challenges, there is always someone with whom to discuss strategies.

I have trained Public Speaking Teams to win regional competitions against schools which are selective or private. I have developed a Media Department whose results are annually above the national average, despite many of our students coming from socially and economically deprived backgrounds. I have taught students who are now teachers with me at MHCC! I have taught students who have gone on to become doctors, pharmacists, police officers, charity workers, volunteers, teachers, solicitors, barristers, chemists and many more professions.

When students return at parents or open evenings to share their successes in their careers, I feel an extreme sense of pride. I have established a bibliotherapy group which enables students to read at lunch and break, and recently have established a Yi Gi Oh club which attracts students from all year groups to spend lunch together in card deck combat! I have acted as Subject and Professional Mentor to Teach First Student teachers, all of whom gained QTS with Outstanding final judgements.

Entertaining. Challenging. Demanding. Frustrating. Enjoyable. Maddening. Delightful. Charming. Exasperating. Fantastic. Worth it.

I work in two departments, English and Media. Both departments are successful in that our results in last year’s GCSEs were 70% grade 4 – 9 in English and 64% grade A* - C in Media. Both of these results are well above national average. Our results are good because we have dedicated teams of experienced teachers who develop relationships with our students in order to ensure their progress and attainment are good. We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities including Raise a Grade classes after college, Public Speaking Competitions, trips to Media City in Salford and additional classes in holidays.

I run a Yu Gi Oh! Club at lunchtimes in which students from all year groups meet to battle each other with these Japanese duelling cards! I also run a bibliotherapy group at lunch in which those needing a quite space in which to read can find peace and escape. During the Autumn term, I coach KS4 students to participate in the national ESU Public Speaking Competitions. I run raise a grade sessions three times a week after college. I am also involved with a Creative Writing Group which meets weekly.

Visit the school and see us in action. Meet our students and talk to our staff.

I have progressed to become the Head of the Media Departmnent, being responsible for creating and implementing new SoW and non – specialist staff. I have also been trained to act as Subject and Professional Mentor for Teach First student teachers. I have accessed coaching training and participated in coaching and mentoring programmes for experienced staff.

As much as I ask for! I have a QA leader for Media to whom I can discuss issues relating to that department. I have supportive colleagues who share good practice. I meet with line managers termly to discuss key areas for which I am responsible. Our SEN team are incredibly supportive and we have an experienced body of TAs who are invaluable to us. We have a strong and dedicated pastoral team who provide support with issues which arise, and an SLT who listen.

We are in the process of joining an Academy Trust and many opportunities will arise when we work with our new partners.