I have worked at Loughborough High School since September 2013, as a technician in the Science Department and became Senior Technician in September 2015.
I have two boys, aged 14 and 11, one at Loughborough Grammar School and one at Fairfield Preparatory School. In my spare time I enjoy running and playing netball. As a family we enjoy sport and are season ticket holders at Leicester Tigers.
"We are a team of 4 who work closely together – it is a very varied and busy role and involves supporting the staff in the science department."
I grew up in South Wales and went to De Montfort University in Leicester; where I studied for a BSc in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science. As part of my course I spent a year in industry at a company in the pharmaceutical/biologics sector. After graduating I returned to the company I had done my work placement with. I worked in Formulation Development where I was part of a team designing medicinal products for oral and respiratory use. My department was also responsible for the manufacture of supplies for clinical trials, which was an important and rewarding part of my job.
I left my employer in 2007, when my children were still young, so I could spend more time at home with them. I was a full-time mum for 3 years until my youngest son started school when I started to look for a part time job that would fit around my commitments to my young family. I began working for a small training company in 2010 who delivered training in behaviour change techniques to NHS dieticians around the country. Whilst I enjoyed the work and the flexibility was perfect for my needs, I always felt that I would like to return to science when the time was right. Consequently, I was very lucky to get the job of Science Technician at LHS at what was an ideal time in my life.
"I will never forget having to help transform the lovely Year 13 girls into grey statues with beards and flowing robes!"
Being a technician is a very busy role and doesn’t allow much time to get involved in other things around the school, as break and lunchtimes are our busiest times. We do often go out on trips with different year groups, particularly science trips, for example to GCSE Science Live where eminent scientists give presentations to GCSE students. We also do external exam invigilation in the summer months and help behind the scenes at events like the Tableaux. I will never forget having to help transform the lovely Year 13 girls into grey statues with beards and flowing robes! We also have lots of fun every year creating a crime scene so that the girls can try and deduce who stole the Head of Chemistry’s cupcakes!
We are a team of 4 who work closely together – it is a very varied and busy role and involves supporting the staff in the science department. Our tasks range from preparing practical equipment to building bespoke apparatus. Our aim is to do everything we can to help our teachers deliver the best science lessons possible.
Never having worked in education before, it has been a very different experience for me working at Loughborough High School. The dedication and commitment that the staff show in order to provide the very best education and environment for the girls is incredible. As a result, the girls are highly motivated and driven to achieve their very best as well as being extremely polite and well-rounded individuals. It is also a unique experience for them, attending a girls’ school but sharing a campus with a boys’ school and a prep school – this gives them the opportunity to mix with children of all different ages and be part of a vibrant and buzzing family of schools.