GEORGE GREEN'S - Key Persons
Passionate about both education and supporting young people emotionally and academically, Athena fulfilled her lifelong aim of becoming a teacher to give students the best opportunities possible, irrespective of their backgrounds. Athena started working at the school in 2022, after having worked in a number of roles across London and also in Dubai. Athena has enjoyed supporting Sixth Formers to apply for Higher Education and plan for their future careers and it is clear that George Greens school is committed to doing the best they can to support all students in their next stages of life. For Athena, it is about both having the academic credentials as well as supporting students to be the best adults and versions of themselves that they can possibly be.
Having worked at George Green's School in a variety of roles since 2007, Caroline was delighted to join the Senior Leadership Team in January 2022 as an Assistant Head. As someone who loves learning, Caroline has always wanted to be an educator and foster a love of learning in others. She was initially attracted to George Green's School because of its community values, inclusive ethos and high expectations for all students. These were all important in her experience of growing up and going to school in Tower Hamlets and are at the heart of what she believes an educational institution should encompass. They are still the reasons why she continues to love working at George Green's. She believes that George Green's School continues to improve year on year because staff here always strive to provide the best educational experience for all students and enable them to become the best versions of themselves.
With a desire to have a positive impact on students and their outcomes in an inner city school, Daisy has worked at George Green's for eight years, joining us as an NQT. When discussing her motivations for joining the school, she simply said that the unique nature of the school as a fundamental part of its local community and the links with businesses that offer opportunities for students were motivating factors alone.
For Daisy, the highlight of working in George Green's is the daily interaction with students. Their individual characters, inquisitive nature and insightful outlooks makes every day different, and she looks forward to supporting her students into their GCSE year.
It was a love of learning and his own school experience growing up in Ghana that first attracted Frank to teaching as a career. When his teachers were absent (there was no such luxury as a supply teacher), Frank would step in to support his peers, showcasing his passion for mathematics, a subject he has thoroughly enjoyed throughout his educational life. The challenge of thinking and the process of logic always draws him back to mathematical problems however difficult, and regardless of the form in which they come.
Frank considers teaching as an extraordinary opportunity to influence the world positively. That there are few professions that provide a personal sense of achievement in terms of inspiring and supporting the next generation.
Frank was Head of Mathematics at George Green's school for a decade. In his current role, he leads on all aspects of the whole school timetable, data and assessment strategy, ensuring it is rigorous, well-evidenced and is easy to communicate to students and parents.
I believe every child has the right to high quality education, and at George Green's, we are committed to ensuring those rights are at the forefront of our planning. All the staff at George Green's are amazing people who always go the extra mile for others, which has made my time at the school a hugely enjoyable one. However, without doubt, what I love most about the school are the students. The resilience they show on a daily basis, their positive attitude to learning, and their different personalities creates a wonderful working and learning atmosphere here
Having dedicated herself to the teaching profession for over 15 years, Hana feels deeply honored to join the Senior Leadership Team at George Green's School. Throughout her extensive educational journey, Hana has assumed various leadership roles, including Head of Chemistry, Lead Practitioner, and Assistant Head. Not only does she possess an unwavering passion for her specialized subject, Science - particularly Chemistry, but Hana has also consistently thrived in collaborating with both faculty and students to enable them to achieve their goals with remarkable success. Being born and raised in East London, she has always relished the opportunity to work alongside individuals and schools within the same demographic, wholeheartedly embracing and celebrating the diverse cultural environment that London has to offer. Embracing the ethos, values, and visions shared by all members of the George Green's School community, Hana finds this moment of joining the Leadership Team to be truly exhilarating.
Hilde was initially attracted to George Green's school as it was one of the pioneering state schools that introduced the International Baccalaureate almost twelve years ago. She believes that George Green's school continues to provide the best provision for students to succeed in a competitive environment and reach their potential both academically and as well-rounded individuals.
Before training to be a teacher, Hilde worked as a tax consultant for Ernst & Young and realised that what she enjoyed most in her various roles was developing and mentoring people. She decided to change careers in order to help young people achieve their aspirations and to bring her real life experience into the classroom. It is important to her that students are given an insight into the working world by meeting with a wide range of professionals as well as being able to apply for meaningful work experience and utilising our network within the local community.
The critical connection between education and social justice has guided Lydia's career in teaching since 2014. Having worked in the charity and advertising sectors after completing a law degree, it was the desire to have a tangible impact on young people's lives that ultimately drew her to teaching. Lydia loves working at George Green's School thanks to its focus on educational research and the fact that the school sits at the heart of its community, putting people first. In her current role, Lydia feels privileged to impact the professional development of new teachers believing that in the current climate schools have a duty more than ever to support those entering the profession. Having previously been in the role of Head of English, Lydia loves nothing more than instilling a love of literature in her pupils and seeing how stories can help young people to make sense of the world around them.
'Our students love coming to school as they know they'll be supported here to be the best versions of themselves. I love working here because George Green's School is a community that cares for one another whilst maintaining the highest expectations of our students and the education that we provide.'
As Head of Year 8, Mark's attraction to teaching came from his passion for working with young people and his desire to apply his trade and share subject knowledge to improve the life chances of young learners. For him, the best aspect of his role is the opportunity to oversee a whole year group, supporting their transition from primary to secondary and their development, both academically and pastorally.
When asked why students love coming to school, Mark noted that it is widely recognised that students are at the heart of everything staff do. Students feel proud to be a member of the George Green's community and benefit greatly from the student experience on offer, from an enriching programme of activities to extensive pastoral care to support them at every stage of the education.
Passionate about both her subject and education itself, Miriam was attracted to a career in teaching as she thought it offered the opportunity to change the lives of young people and truly make a difference. Having worked at the school since 2011, Miriam feels privileged to work alongside such exceptional colleagues and students every day. For Miriam, George Green's School is a place that is ambitious for its students and where the staff will do everything they can in order to support their students to become successful adults.
"I love working with the students at George Green's. The school nurtures them and they know that we will help them to achieve both personally and academically. They are encouraged by the high expectations that we have of everyone, but also know that we will support them to achieve their goals. At George Green's, students feel valued and have staff who believe in them."
Attracted to a career in teaching from an early age, Jon has worked at George Green's School since 2014, firstly as Deputy Headteacher in charge of standards, the curriculum and teaching learning, and since September 2019 as Principal. Inspired to teach at George Green's for its unique and historical location in an interesting and stimulating community, Jon says he feels lucky to work with in a role that allows him to impact the academic outcomes of students and it is a privilege to help students shape their future.
For Jon, his favourite aspect of the job is supporting young people to become change-makers. Through a brilliant education, Jon believes that George Green's School is teaching the scientists, the engineers, the journalists and the lawyers who will make the world a better place.
Praising the dedication of staff to make all lessons enjoyable and stimulating, he notes that his greatest joy is knowing students leave George Green's having made exceptional progress. He puts this down to the high levels of support students receive throughout their time at George Green's, as well all the extra-curricular opportunities they are exposed to. He is particularly proud of the hard working and dedicated staff team at George Green's, who always go the extra mile for their students.
"My vision for the future of George Green's School is to continue on our upward trajectory of success and growing from strength to strength; I am very ambitious for our students and would like more of them to progress to our sixth form to continue their journey. I also look forward to our provision being recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted."
Job Titles:
- Assistant Headteacher Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Lead
Kate Garcia is proud to have taught in East London since 1999 and has held a variety of positions throughout this time. As an English teacher she is constantly motivated to encourage a love of reading, oracy and creativity in all her students.
Kate is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at George Green's School. In this role she firmly believes that all students should feel safe both in school, at home and the wider community. She believes that children should be protected from physical, emotional and sexual abuse alongside neglect, bullying and harassment.
Kate leads the SAP team at school (Safeguarding, Attendance and Punctuality) and works hard to ensure that children are in school, feeling safe and happy every day.
It was while working for the banking sector, in a mainly customer facing role, where Muhamud first began to realise his passion for helping people, which ultimately led to the relatively easy decision, to become a Teacher. Muhamud has a 1st class degree in Business but has always had a passion for Mathematics and always loved the feeling that comes when solving a complex question or problem, so it was then a simple decision to become a Mathematics teacher. Muhamud has been at George Green's for 10+ years, and as a Head of Year, brings the same passion and desire for excellence that he has for himself to all his students.
"Underpinning everything I do, are the student's best interest. I have a positive mind set, which I try to pass on the students and the also help a positive learning environment. I firmly believe in the GGS Mantra, and is something I live by also. I am always striving for excellence, and I believe, my personal life experiences, education and working life has given me the platform to be a change maker in students. As a Head of Year, I aim to be consistent yet understanding. I want all of Year 9 to leave George Green's proud and happy, with the best possible achievements and with fond and memorable experiences, and also, transferrable skills which helps them be successful in their futures."
Job Titles:
- Associate Assistant Headteacher
The reactions of students when you answer their inquisitive questions, their faces when you engage them with something new and exciting and the opportunity to relate everyday experiences to the educational study of people, culture and the interaction of technology are some of the reasons why I thrive off being a teacher and the reason for my career in teaching. Why did you choose GGS Community has always been at the heart of anything I do and I feel working at GGS I am able to give back to the community in which I grew up. GGS has a great ethos, it values every member of its school community and helps develop future change makers. GGS is a right respecting school where every child matters and is safe and this is a reason why I choose to work in a school, which promotes and supports the growth of every individual. "No one day is the same, every day you come across different challenges, which develop you, further. Being able to inspire young minds, the rarer moments where you are given a thank you notes; the change you see in the student's attitudes; the relationships you build with students and sometime parents. As a teacher who concentrates on the pastoral side of teaching, I am privileged into seeing the journey students take in maturing into respectful, well-mannered, passionate, questioning young adults. Leaders with character who are confident and unafraid, achieving their short-term goals, and stepping out into the world ready to take it on. These are some of the reasons why I have chosen to get into teaching."
Tom is a passionate Science Teacher, having graduated from The University of Manchester with a degree in Biochemistry in 2013. He first joined George Green's School as part of his PGCE training and has been here ever since. Tom noted that George Green's status as a Rights Respecting School is a major plus, with the emphasis on pupil voice and anti-bullying improving the self-esteem, well-being and behaviour of many students.
"Forming positive relationships with students is absolutely integral to my role as Year Leader, and with that in mind I strive to treat all students with the respect and fairness that they deserve. Every day has its challenges in this job, but the knowledge that I'm having a positive impact on so many of the young people in this community is all the motivation I need to give them my all."