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| Jenny Pheasant - left 1996 | |
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What was happening in your life at the time you left Cedars? I was going out with a lad called Ben. I had loads of friends, I loved school and was really happy. However at the time I probably did not realise how much! During your time at Cedars, did you have any idea what you wanted to do next? I wasn't particularly academic more of an all rounder but not really a specialist at anything. I either wanted to go into the police force or become a teacher. I remember being in Year 9 having a tutorial with a teacher and she said about going to university. I was like 'you what? me?' It shocked the life out of me as there was nobody in my family who had been to university. I decided that being in the police wasn't really for me. I then realised that teaching was something I could do with not a lot of UCAS points. I'd always wanted to teach and it was a stable secure job. What actually happened next? I went to DeMontfort University in Bedford. I was gutted at first as I really wanted to go to Nottingham Trent but they rejected me. However it was probably the best thing that ever happened. What was your first real job? I began teaching in September 2000 a school in Bedford. It was probably one of the roughest schools in Bedford. Everyone thought I was mad taking the job there but I loved it. I realised it was definitely the career for me I really enjoyed the challenge of the children and the staff. I learnt so much about life. I also began an MA in my second year of teaching - remember I'm not an academic person but I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could do it! What did that lead to? I gained a management point at the school which gave me loads of experience. As it was a tough school I shone there and gained promotion really quickly. My aim was now to be a Head. I left the school after three years for many personal reasons and was really sad to leave. I then moved to a totally different type of school in Flitwick. It was a bit of a backward step but it was a new and different experience. What are you doing now? I have just been offered a Key Stage Co-ordinator position in Biggleswade so my career is now back on track. This will begin in January. Still doing the MA! What's next for you? Do you have any plans for the future? I will see how the new job goes in Biggleswade and if I enjoy management. If so I then will look to apply for Deputy Headships within the next two years. My goal was to become a Head by the time I am thirty. It may take a bit longer but I think the experience will make me a better Head. I'm on the dissertation of the MA I want to finish it and hopefully will do by the summer. With a full time job it has been really hard but I want to finish it to prove to myself I can do it! What is the best piece of advice you were ever given? This will sound like a cliche but it is who you know if life that is really important. That is so true - my promotions have shown that. It is also who you meet and who influences you. It is important that you remember at the end of the day it is a job and it is essential to balance life and work. I always thought I was so wise when I was at Cedars but it is not until you start experiencing life and people that I realised maybe I wasn't. What advice would you give to a Cedars student getting ready for the future? Talk to as many people as possible about what you want to do - talk through your ideas and thoughts. This will give you a range of ideas - so you can take the best bits from everyone you have asked. Back to home |
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