THIRSK SCHOOL - Key Persons
My name is Emma Lambden and I am Headteacher here at Thirsk School and Sixth Form College. Previously I have taught Mathematics and Music as well as being in a variety of senior leadership roles in several schools.
From day one of my PGCE course I knew that a career in teaching was going to be one of the best decisions I had ever made. I felt as if I had found my calling. Initially, I had signed up to the course as a 'plan B', which just goes to show that sometimes you have to jump in with both feet and give things a go - you never know what the outcome will be, and it might surprise you for the better! Thirsk School and Sixth Form is a great place to work... why? The people - simple. It is not just the students that make Thirsk School great but the staff, parents and wider community. Thirsk School is like a true family. We are not perfect but we are rooted in our values, we care and there is always someone here who will offer a 'friendly face' when you need it.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Headteacher - Personal Development )
My name is George Hollis, and I am in charge of Personal Development.
This means that I am responsible for promoting equality of opportunity in the school, strategically setting up opportunities to develop students' character, and overseeing extra-curricular activities, interventions, PSHCE and careers. I first became a teacher because of my passion for history, and because I was excited about trying to inspire young people to love the past. Besides this, I am also a voracious reader, and am rarely happier than when I am either climbing mountains or playing cricket. Thirsk is an amazing place to work, and I am particularly inspired by the way the school is so rooted in what is best for our community. I have been very proud to celebrate the achievements of so many of our students who have ‘Been More Thirsk.'
Job Titles:
- Assistant Headteacher / DSL - Community Development and Head of SixthForm )
My name is Gordon Pentland and I am Head of Sixth Form with added responsibility for leading the school's work within the community.
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- Assistant Headteacher - Teaching and Learning )
My name is Jo Dickinson and I am Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning across the school as well as a member of the Modern Languages Department.
I first became a teacher because I wanted to inspire the next generation of young people to love language learning as much as I do. I still love being in the classroom, just as much as I did when I first started teaching 20 years ago. Now though, I also have the privilege of spending time in lots of other classrooms across the school. As part of my role, I regularly visit lessons across all subjects to check the progress our young people are making and to ensure they are benefitting from the highest quality teaching possible. This means that I get to experience first-hand the varied diet of learning our students encounter every day. I see the enthusiasm and motivation of so many of our young people as well as the commitment and dedication of our teachers and teaching assistants. I am so grateful to work with such a hard-working and inspirational staff, who all have the best interests of our students at the heart of everything they do. From the very first day I stepped inside Thirsk School & Sixth Form College, I knew I had found ‘my' school; a place where community is everything, where everyone is valued and where fostering positive relationships is integral to every aspect of school life.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Headteacher / DSL - Head of Lower School )
My name is Jo Marston and I am Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Y6 Transition and Lower School and I am also one of 3 Safeguarding Leads here at Thirsk.
I began my career as a PE Teacher, which I absolutely loved, as sport has always been a passion of mine, but I now teach English and have done so for the past ten years. I took some time out of teaching at one stage when I worked for the Youth Sport Trust and although I enjoyed it, it did make me realise that my heart will always be in the education of young people. I love it because every day is completely different, and I derive a great sense of satisfaction and pride when each year I see the Year 11 students leave, knowing that I was the one who started them off on their path to secondary school. I work really hard to create and maintain positive relationships with all our students and I love watching them develop into the amazing young people they become. There is no better job in the world as far as I am concerned!
Job Titles:
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator / DDSL )
My name is Julie Hudson and I am the SENDCO here at Thirsk School & Sixth Form College. I have taught Mathematics, up to year 13 including Further Maths at A-Level and worked as a Head of Year in both Sixth Form and in Main School.
Before teaching I worked in the city of London at the Stock Exchange building. After a few years I realised my true vocation was working in a setting that put the development of individuals above all else. Becoming a teacher was the best decision I ever made.
Not everyone understands my love of maths but I have always worked hard to encourage all the students I have taught to feel confident and successful in their learning. This is something that I want for all students in our school in all their subjects. No matter what the barriers a student had, it is our responsibility to ensure that they have the support they need to overcome those barriers and be successful in their learning. I am proud to be part of a team that shares these values and puts students first.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Headteacher - Curriculum and Data )
My name is Mark Dickson and I am the Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for leading on the school curriculum. I also teach Business Studies, and some History. A love for the power and pleasure of knowledge brought me into teaching; it gives us the capacity to understand our world, and ourselves and our place in it. It unlocks opportunity. I was also lucky enough to benefit from good teachers who encouraged me, and I wanted to support and influence students in a similar way. Thirsk, and Thirsk School are wonderful places. As a community school, it is full of kind-hearted, generous, committed, and talented people. Our students have bags of character, and it is a privilege to see them progress and grow.
Job Titles:
- School Sports Competitions Co - Ordinator
Job Titles:
- ICT Systems and Network Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Science Technician
Job Titles:
- Facilities and Operations Manager
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- Administrative Assistant ( Upper School )
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant ( Lower School )
Job Titles:
- Senior Art and Technology Technician
Job Titles:
- Senior Food & Textiles Technician
My name is Nic Stimson and I am Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Upper School and I am also one of the 3 Safeguarding Leads at the School.
I started my teaching career as a Drama teacher and I am incredibly lucky to still teach Drama here at Thirsk. As well as working with young people in a Pastoral capacity, my love of Drama and Theatre allows me to work with young people right the way through school and support the development of confidence, resilience and the ability to work hard. In February of every year I am generally found in the Main School Hall working to transform it into a working Theatre - the whole school musical is my absolute joy (I love Musical Theatre!). Having spent my own school life at Thirsk School it is a privilege to work with the young people of Thirsk, making sure their time here is safe, busy and successful.