Growing up I benefited from a great deal of support from my teachers. Through hard work, perseverance, and their belief in my potential, I became the first person in my family to attend university. This left me with a conviction I have carried into every classroom since: every child has the right to an education, and it is the role of teachers to hold that door open.

I studied Chemistry with Environmental Science at the University of Southampton, graduating in 1999, before completing my PGCE and gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in 2000. My first teaching post immersed me in a culture of openness, collaboration, and mutual support – values that have shaped my approach to teaching ever since. 

Early in my career, I was entrusted with writing the schemes of learning for the pilot GCSE Applied Science course, which focused on the practical application of scientific knowledge. The progress my students made, both in their academic achievement and in their ability to learn independently, reinforced my belief in the value of real-world relevance and hands-on practical experiences. These principles have remained at the heart of my classroom practice. I believe that the critical thinking skills developed through a science education benefit every learner.

After 10 years of teaching science in the UK, I moved to Guangzhou, China, where I became Head of the Biology and Chemistry Department. During this time, I also served as a Grade Level Coordinator, further developing my organisational, leadership, and project management skills. Attention to detail and forward planning come naturally to me.

In 2017, I relocated to Wuhan to take on the role of Academic Director while continuing to teach. Alongside my leadership responsibilities, I taught GCSE and A-Level Chemistry as my main subject, as well as GCSE Biology and GCSE Combined Science.

I have a strong commitment to supporting the development of teachers, and I became an accredited Cambridge PDQ Programme Leader, leading 20 teachers through the Certificate in Teaching & Learning.

July 2025 marked 25 years of teaching, and to celebrate this milestone, I took a year-long sabbatical. I began by indulging my passion for the countryside and hiking, walking extensive sections of the UK’s South West Coast Path. My willingness to pack away a tent in the rain, walk all day in the rain, and pitch it again in the rain reflects the perseverance and resilience that have always been part of my character.

I also believe that learning is a lifelong journey, so I wanted to use this time to experience something entirely new. At the beginning of my sabbatical, I attended my first symphony concert; by the end, I had visited 22 concert halls across 17 cities around the world, experiencing outstanding performances by world-class musicians. This journey gave me a renewed appreciation of what it feels like to encounter something for the first time and to be genuinely inspired by the experience.

Joining Avenor felt like a natural next step. Avenor is a school that nurtures not only academic excellence but also character and the holistic development of every student – an approach I have believed in ever since I was a student who benefited from exactly that kind of support.