Head to Head with Head of Teaching and Learning at East Allington Primary

Karen Partridge, Head of Teaching and Learning at East Allington Primary gives us an insight into her day to day life.

Your current title / role:

Head of Teaching and Learning at East Allington Primary

Brief career background:

I qualified as a teacher through a BA/QTS (Hons) degree in 1994 and I gained a full-time permanent position within a large primary school, St Margaret’s in Torquay,. For the next fourteen years I mainly worked in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. Within this time I had two secondments: The first was to start up Thistledown Nursery and work as a teacher within the setting. The second was to be an Advisory Teacher for Early Years in Torbay.

By the time I left St Margaret’s I was the Head of the Foundation Stage. I went straight on to a position at East Allington, beginning by working in a mixed class of Reception, Year one and Year two children before supporting the integration of the Pre-School aged children and instigating the transition into a badged Foundation Stage Unit. Once the school became part of the Our School Federation I became the Foundation Stage Leader across the Federation. In 2014 I took on the role of Head of Teaching and Learning working alongside the Executive Heads.

What does a typical working day look like?

7.50 – Arrive at School.

8.00 – Supervise the Breakfast Club.

8.45 – Morning Duty and/or check in with staff.

9.00 – Greet the children into the classroom and teach through until 3.15pm. The day will include a duty either at lunchtime or during the break time. Lunchtimes are spent talking to staff about individual children, first-aid needs, diary dates and following-up any incidents.

3.15-6.00 – Time in school. This might include taking a club, having a meeting with a parent, checking in with staff, following up any safe-guarding incidents, staff training or a staff meeting. It will also involve marking/assessments, answering e-mails and preparing for the next days sessions.

7.00-10.00 – Work continues at home- paperwork , planning, marking, assessments and e-mails!

What did you have for dinner last night?

Soup, half a pomelo, an orange and an enormous Chelsea Bun!

What was the last piece of music you listened to?

Hello- Adele

What was your favourite and most hated subject when you were at school?

Art was always my favourite. My least favourite was physics.

What is the best thing about your job?

Having a laugh with the children or staff and seeing each individual child/ member of staff progress.

If you could change one thing about the current education system what would it be?

Less of an emphasis on paperwork and assessments.