I still have a little trophy that I won when I participated in a talent show at my primary school. My best friend (to this day) and I used to pretend to be our own girl band during playtime at St Mary’s Priory junior school, in Tottenham, north London. There’s an area in the playground with some steps that we called “the stage”. We thought we were the next big thing, singing Beyoncé at the top of our voices.
These days, when I’m on playground duty, I sometimes see the children putting on similar performances there, just like we did. I tell them that I used to sing and dance on the “stage”, which they love. They get a kick, too, from knowing that some of the teachers still at St Mary’s taught me when I was there.
My friends, singing and dancing, my lovely teachers: this was the epitome of happiness for my 9-year-old self.
I started at the school in year 4, and at first I was really sad as I missed my friends from my old school. But being a Tottenham born and raised girl, St Mary’s soon started to feel like home, and I grew to love it. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had such great teachers in my life, who always had me engaged and wanted to push me further.
I even wrote into the local newspaper when I was 14, about how proud I was that St Mary’s had received a good Ofsted rating. “The teachers are great, the food is fantastic, even the assemblies are interesting,” I wrote, adding that one day I’d love to be a teacher there. After that did indeed happen, I led a school assembly about careers and used myself as an example of what you can achieve when you set your mind to it!
Tottenham has been the victim of bad press over the years, what with the riots of 2011 and it being a bit rough around the edges. But the local community is so warm and supportive. I’m proud to be a product of Tottenham, and I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, anything can be achieved if you work hard enough.
My story hasn’t been all plain sailing though. I lost my mum at the age of 15 and some of my GCSEs were impacted. As a result, my route to becoming a teacher was a bit of a journey. I took education studies at university, and then went on to get more experience in the field, working as a teaching assistant in various schools across London.
Teachers that I worked with would often encourage me to take the leap and apply for a PGCE so I could become a fully-qualified teacher. With that encouragement, plus the support of my father and my friends, and thinking about what my mum would have wanted for me, I retook my GCSEs and went on to complete my PGCE at Middlesex University.
When it came time to find a job, I was encouraged to apply for positions at my two placement schools. But I really just wanted to work at St Mary’s because it was such a happy place for me growing up. It was my ultimate goal, so I waited until a job became available. I started working here, in my old year 5 classroom, in September 2019 and haven’t looked back.
It’s funny because I work alongside some of the teachers who taught me and my brothers. Getting the opportunity to work with the teaching assistant from when I was in year 6 makes me want to pinch myself. I was so inspired by these adults growing up, and now I’m incredibly grateful to be working with and learning from these amazing, experienced teachers. There are actually six teachers that were previously students here too, including the incredible headteacher, so I’m not alone!
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that so many of us have returned. There is something about this school, and the Tottenham community, that gets under your skin. And I think the senior leadership team at my school recognises the value of bringing in local teachers, who really understand where these children come from.
I’m known for my infectious smile – and my laugh can be heard throughout the corridors. My enthusiasm branches out into my teaching. One day I might consider getting involved in senior leadership here, which would really mean I’ve come full circle. But for now, I’m just so happy to have achieved my childhood dream. I’m thrilled to be where I am with my year 5s and to see them smiling and enjoying learning. In time, I hope they will cherish the memories they’re making here, just like I do.
As told to Sarah LaBrecque
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