I have been very fortunate in working with some very different but great teachers and leaders. As I reflect on nearly thirty years in education, I can see how these people have influenced my daily work.
At primary school, I was very fortunate that Mrs Sharman was my teacher for the last two years. A very firm but fair teacher who delivered a very broad curriculum. This was in the days before Ofsted and the National Curriculum.
Mr Watson was the Headteacher of my own secondary school. A Cambridge graduate who steadily raised expectations in the school which he led for twenty years. One of my favourite teachers was Mr Moy who made lessons fun but challenged and supported us to achieve higher grades both at GCSE and A Level.
My main career started in Essex and my first Headteacher was Dr Nicholls. His school was very strict, but there was a good focus on teaching and achievement. I then moved to a school closer to home and worked for Mr Jones. The school had been one of the first schools to go grant-maintained and be awarded technology college status. I joined at an exciting time as the school expanded, and I could contribute to Sixth Form developments. Data was being used to raise achievement and I had the opportunity to work on school improvement. Mr Jones supported my own development and demonstrated the benefits of school autonomy when it works well. Parents wanted a strong 11-18 school.
I joined my third school as Head of Department in a semi-rural location led by Mr Hammond. The school’s motto was ‘caring for success’ but the Head was keen that aspirations were raised, and I was able to lead on data as well as develop teaching and learning. The school steadily improved and I liked the way it developed the character of students, something we see at Thomas Mills. The two long-serving deputies Ms Quigley and Mr Hartley led on so many aspects and I felt part of a strong team.
Miss Hollister was my first Headteacher as a senior leader and she was taking the school from ‘good to great’ in a thoughtful steady way. I had the best job description as it crossed all areas of the school as we developed initiatives that would improve all areas of the school. The Deputy Head Miss Clark was a whirlwind and along with the Head, I learnt the combination of operational management but also strategic leadership.
After three years I was appointed Deputy Head myself and worked with a Head who I had met earlier in my career. I learnt much of my values and strategy on continuous school improvement from Mrs Cowans. Although the school’s motto ‘hold fast to that which is good’ emphasised stability and tradition, it was a school that never stood still. My main role was to bring student progress and the pastoral system together, and I worked with some amazing colleagues.
Ideally, I try and bring the great traits that I have seen together at Thomas Mills – a busy and energetic school with lots of amazing opportunities and genuinely great staff. I think we hold onto that which is good but keep trying to improve things for most students. It’s a privilege to serve.
Warm regards,
Philip Hurst
Headteacher
Read the first part of the Headteacher’s Blog here.