What is your role at Blackheath High School?  

I am Head of the Science Faculty - essentially managing the Science Department and delivery of the Science curriculum across the whole Senior school from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. 

How long have you been teaching for?   

I have been teaching now for 21 years. Prior to Blackheath High I taught at Wilmington Grammar for boys. I came to Blackheath High in 2008, so this is my 17th year here – wow! I have experience of all-boys education and all-girls and when training I taught in a co-ed school, so I've had a taste of all. 

Where did you study and what did you study?    

I studied at the University of Kent in Canterbury – undertaking a BSc in chemistry, followed by my PhD. My PhD thesis was on the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic polymers for applications in nonlinear optics. 

How did you know that teaching was the profession for you?   

I didn’t immediately know. When I was studying for my PhD, I did some teaching as part of that, assisting with lab classes and also offering extra support for small groups of undergraduates. I discovered that I really enjoyed making things clear and explaining to undergraduates the intricacies of how science and chemistry work. That’s when I had a light bulb moment and realised that this was the vocation for me.  

Why Blackheath High School?  

I first encountered Blackheath High when I was exploring a career move up to the role of Head of Chemistry. I hadn't had experience of working in an independent school and I was also keen to see what all girls’ education was like. Blackheath High seemed like such a lovely school with a great reputation, so I was delighted to be offered the role of Head of Chemistry here. 

What sets the school apart from other schools?  

It's the ethos of the school, the spirit of collaboration and also the excellence of our students, academically and holistically. I love helping these wonderful young individuals to grow and achieve their goals. That’s what makes me love this place - helping our students to do their very best in whatever they are looking to excel in. That has always struck me since the first day I got here. 

What inspires you/ gets you out of bed in the morning?  

It's the teaching - I love teaching classes. I love interacting with students. You could have taught a lesson 40 times and every time you have a different class in front of you, it's a completely different experience. Having that interaction and achieving the light bulb moments for each student!  

What kind of leader are you?   

I try to find a balance when I am teaching between setting high expectations and making things accessible and fun. I think that's the winning combination. It’s building that relationship with students, making the subject concrete and real, at the same time as delivering a lesson in an entertaining and interactive way. Along with instilling the belief that all of them can achieve what they want to, this is what really seems to work for the young women here.    

I always lead by example, never asking people to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself; and I always work collaboratively. I have learnt a lot by watching different leaders with different styles, and what I have noticed is that those who take responsibility with the rest of the team and are willing to do what everybody else is doing are most likely to get people to come along with them on the journey.   

Who are your role models?  

Without doubt my absolute role model for the teacher I have become was my first Head of Science, my first line manager. When I first started at Blackheath High, I was slightly under my full teaching allocation. My Head of Department used that time brilliantly - he asked me to sit in on his lessons and just observe. Honestly, I learned so much from that experience. Everything I rely on in my teaching today – how to support students, how to ask the right questions to draw out their thinking, how to manage a classroom and handle challenging situations – it all started there. It was an invaluable foundation. 

I was so lucky – most new teachers don't get that opportunity. He was just amazing at drawing out things that students didn't think they could answer, encouraging them to dig deep and not settle for ‘I don’t know’; that's not an acceptable answer because it's never true. Everybody can give a reasoned answer, whether it's right or wrong. Incidentally, that is also a great thing about girls-only education and smaller class sizes - you don’t have to be afraid to say the wrong thing. 

What are you most passionate about in life?  

I'm passionate about travelling to new places and having new experiences. In the last six or seven years, my family and I have travelled to lots of new and interesting places.  A real highlight was Canada - it is not like anywhere I've been in the world. It is just so beautiful – we travelled around Western Canada, Calgary, Vancouver and Vancouver Island. 

Academically my number one passion is getting women into STEM, highlighting the many female role models that are out there, and working to an exceptional level in the world of Science. Right now the big female role models for me are Dr Emmanuelle Charpentier (France) and Dr Jennifer Doudna (USA). They were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool. Their research and collaboration – bridging continents and scientific disciplines – transformed how we approach genetic diseases. Their work revolutionized our approach to treating genetic diseases from sickle cell anemia to inherited blindness. Both scientists emphasize ethical considerations alongside discovery: CRISPR’s power to “cut and paste” DNA compels the global community to consider how and when it should be used. 

I love taking our own women in STEM on external trips to open their eyes to new things and inspire them. I am taking Year 12 to the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition this July, where they can experience the latest research from around the country – it really shows students the breadth of careers and the art of the possible in science.  

What is your favourite subject or book?   

Dune by Frank Herbert – he has created a unique world in the book, and I find the underlying scientific and ecological message is so inspiring. I don't think there's any other sci-fi book quite like it, and there are a lot of good ones out there. 

Favourite musician? 

I have loads – let’s go with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins. I went to see them at the O2 last year and they were just incredible - just brilliant!