Anna Kennedy

Life before Teesside High School

Before Teesside High I studied at both York St John and Nottingham Universities. Before teaching at Teesside High, I taught in a range of schools. I have been lucky to have taught children from nursery to Year 6.

What do you enjoy most about your subject?

In Year 5 and 6 the children embark on a steep learning curve as they begin to develop into young adults. They increasingly develop their independence skills as they take on a variety of leadership roles within the Prep School as well as preparing to make the transition into the Senior School. The children are given a host of opportunities both within and beyond the curriculum and it is lovely to see them embracing these new challenges and experiences. As a teacher, it is very rewarding to share in the children’s successes and support them through these new situations.

I also enjoy and value my role as a Mental Health First Aider. Having the opportunity to promote positive mental health and begin to reduce the stigma surrounding this is both enjoyable and rewarding. I enjoy working with the Prep Wellbeing Champions, helping them to develop this important role, as well as looking for ways to improve our Mental Health provision across the school.

What do you enjoy most about Teesside High School?

I enjoy working at Teesside High and like the family atmosphere that is present. I value the fact that we know each child as an individual, even though we may not directly teach them. It is nice to not only share their academic achievements but also their skills and successes beyond the classroom. I am also very grateful for a very talented, supportive group of colleagues who make life at THS happy and rewarding.

What is your favourite lesson?

My favourite lesson is IPC (International Primary Curriculum). I find that the topics are inspiring and engaging and offer a good breadth of study for the children. I like the fact that there is an international element to every unit of work which allows the children to gain some appreciation of their place and responsibilities in the wider global community. There are opportunities for the children to be involved in planning aspects of their learning which makes them enthusiastic for the topics covered. The topics also lend themselves to trips, as well as providing opportunities to invite visitors into school, which are always good ways to enrich the curriculum further. The IPC is not taught in many other schools in the area so this is quite a special and unique aspect of our curriculum.

What do others say about you?

I would like to think that people would say I was friendly, helpful and professional. I think they would say I was quite organised and focused when on a mission to achieve a goal! I would also hope that they would say I was caring for the children in my class.