RISBOROUGH SCHOOLSTAFF PROFILES

MATT QUINN

OLI TRUSSELL

www.prsbucks.com

PRINCES

HANNAH SUGGITTLead 

PractitionerEnglish

Maths andTechnology

Hannah Suggitt

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Princes Risborough School

Enjoy and Achieve

YEARS AT PRS: 5 years SUBJECT: English

TRAINED AT: Oxford Brookes University CURRENT ROLE: Lead Practitioner for Pedagogy STARTING ROLE: NQT - English

SUMMARY:

I came to PRS through a most serendipitous event; having never heard of the school, I was given a recommendation to apply in April of 2009 by my PGCE colleague (who had just secured her English NQT position here). After a little bit of research, I walked through the doors to reception and was overwhelmed by the ‘feeling’ of the school, a feeling so profound that I would later write my masters thesis on the experience. I knew I had to work here. I came as a humble PGCE student and was welcomed by a powerful induction programme in the last 3 weeks of school in July. Here I was enveloped in the PRS family, received vital and detailed training / information that gave me a sense of calm over the summer (for which I was paid!) and made my first September as a teacher a much smoother transition. My NQT support, by way of the professional development team, my ‘buddy’ mentor and subject mentor, meant that I was never left without encouragement or a shoulder to lean on. I have since developed my role to become the Lead Practitioner for Pedagogy, a role that recognised my successful teaching and learning experiences and allowed me the opportunity to research, explore, trial, share and disseminate the most cutting edge and effective pedagogical practice across the school. With greater opportunities to develop my own professional practice, I became a whole school leader for improving the quality of marking and feedback to ensure optimum progress for our students. I have been supported as I learn how to become an effective mentor and coach, which culminated in my successful position within the ‘Teacher Excellence Programme’ with the Bucks Learning Trust. This new role, fully encouraged by PRS, gives me a broader scope for impact as I interact with practitioners across the county to encourage excellent teaching and learning experiences. Personally, PRS has become a lifeline for me in supporting my own learning journey, successfully completed my masters degree in Education, with a specialism in the development of positive school ethos, and now as I endeavour to complete my PhD in Education. The experiences provided me within this institution have been integral to my happy and long-lived relationship with this school.

Matthew Quin

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Princes Risborough School

Enjoy and Achieve

YEARS AT PRS: 2 years SUBJECT: English

TRAINED AT: Oxford Brookes University CURRENT ROLE: Teacher of English (Year 8 Coordinator) STARTING ROLE: PGCE English student

SUMMARY:

I started at PRS on my second PGCE placement. Despite turning up for my first day far too early and somehow locking myself in the reception area, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and welcoming nature of the staff (especially those who rescued me from the reception area). My initial impressions of the school were how vibrant, lively and busy it was. As I sat nervously in the staff briefing I couldn’t believe how much there was going on in the school and how enthusiastic and energetic the staff team were. Over the course of my placement I learned a huge amount. The English department is a dynamic department with a shared vision but welcoming individual approaches. I immediately felt part of the team and both nurtured and challenged by the high standards and innovative approaches to learning. I was delighted when I successfully interviewed for a job during my placement, as I knew this was the place which would constantly challenge me to be my best and develop. The NQT induction programme two weeks before the summer was a great experience, allowing me to get to know the whole staff and SLT; embrace the philosophies and ethos of the school; find my way out of the English department and familiarise myself with policies and procedures. I also got to know the other excellent team of NQTs and think creatively in designing an NQT project. An added bonus was also getting paid over the summer after a year at university! The support has continued throughout my NQT year with a department mentor, a professional department tutor, and a brilliant head of department and professional tutor. As NQTs we have had regular support, training, meetings, practical observations and chances to observe experienced teachers around the school. I am also thrilled that I feel my hard work has been recognised and I have been given opportunities to take on responsibilities. Next year I will be coordinating year 8 English and will be responsible for overseeing and developing the curriculum and schemes of work; planning interventions; organising trips and events and I am being encouraged to trial and launch projects across the year. I’m excited for this great opportunity in my second year of teaching and it has only confirmed my initial excitement after my interview: this has been the place to develop as a teacher.

Oli Trussell

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WEB:

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Princes Risborough School

Enjoy and Achieve

YEARS AT PRS: 4 years SUBJECT: Maths

TRAINED AT: Oxford Brookes University CURRENT ROLE: Lead Practitioner in Education Technology STARTING ROLE: NQT - Maths

SUMMARY:

I started at PRS in 2010 as an NQT. The support I received in my first year here was amazing. I had a professional development tutor, a subject mentor and a coach from a different department. Whenever I needed anything, I always knew exactly how and where to get help from. I’ve since gone on to be Second in Maths, where I was given lots of opportunities to develop new systems which have been readily implemented by a keen department. We have now implemented a ‘flipped’ learning model across all key stages, and have developed an extremely successful pre-topic testing model of all students. We also collaboratively plan medium term lesson plans which enables us to deliver consistently good lessons whilst also reducing the workload! As a self-confessed bit-of-a-geek, I’ve been keen to encourage all students and staff to use technology to enhance pedagogical practice. The school recognised this passion and offered me the role of Lead Practitioner in Education Technology. I’ve been given lots of chances to seek further professional development, and was fortunate enough to be recognised by Google and awarded Google Certified Teacher status in 2013. I am proud to be leading the school through exciting new times involving advancements in technology. We are adopting a BYOD policy which will enable us to transform the way in which we teach and students learn. We have a wonderful staff here at PRS who are always willing to adopt new pedagogy and just try stuff out! My job has been made so much easier as a direct result of this. Our students are becoming increasingly digitally literate, and we are on a journey which could see massive impacts on their learning capabilities. We have many students who have volunteered to be ‘Digital Leaders’ and, along with our staff ‘Digital Champions’, are keen to support the adoption of technology across the whole school.