Simply talking about educational inequality is not enough. Becoming a parent made me ask myself how I could do my part in making education fairer... so I became a teacher.

Almost 10 years on and now Assistant Principal, I suspect that I will always work in schools; there is no greater feeling than supporting young people as they grow and feeling a part of a school community.  I am privileged to work at the Totteridge Academy; a place where there is an academically rigorous curriculum and students feel happy, valued and included, excited to learn and prepared for their futures. 

I am proud to be a Teach First trustee and Ambassador because our mission is to end educational disadvantage. Many people are unaware of the different things that Teach First does to support school communities. It is not just about training new teachers: NPQs to develop school leaders, the Leading Together program works to support schools facing the most challenging circumstances. In the years following covid, meaningful work has been done to address disproportionality in teaching, school leadership and diversification of the curriculum and careers intervention has created transformational work experience opportunities for children across the UK!

Simply talking about educational inequality is not enough and even though I spend a significant amount of time teaching, planning, marking, meeting, writing, planning in the board room I still ask myself what more I can do to make education work for every child. I don't have the answer to that question but I am Running the River again this year to raise money and awareness for the UK's poorest school children. Raising £1000 would mean that over 100 children from disadvantaged backgrounds can get a hour's careers session with a careers expert. This is vital because less than half of disadvantaged students (45%) meet the minimum entry requirement for most options after school (passing English and Maths).

Please donate or spread the word if you can - I'd be hugely grateful! Wish me luck ... I am NOT a runner, just a lady with temperamental knees who is passionate about education as a vehicle for societal change!