Working here has allowed me to work and live in a community I care about greatly. Harris Ockendon have supported me on my continued professional development allowing me to study and work at the same time. They strive to support me to meet my goals providing training and support, proving they are here to help educate the staff with as much pride and passion as they do students.

In comparison to other schools that I have worked in, the pupils at HAOC have a real dedication to extra-curricular activities. In Drama, we have regular before and after school clubs where pupils spend extra time working on skills, revising, rehearsing exam pieces or devising their own performances. Pupils are also really willing to volunteer at Open Evenings and Parents' Evenings, allowing them to really show the public and the community where their passions lie.

I have worked successfully across a whole range of schools and in a vast variety of roles, but I feel happier at HAOC than I have in any of my prior workplaces. The main thing for me, aside from our fabulous students, is the support and challenge in the team I work within. Although far from perfect, we all embrace the fact that we are on a journey to be ever better classroom practitioners and there is a genuine hunger amongst us to give the students transformational learning experiences. Another aspect of the school I love is the quality of the CPD. We totally love the sessions as they focus entirely on honing skills in the classroom. Everything we learn is practically applicable and I feel this year that I now understand more about my practice than I ever have.

As soon as you walk in the building you are met with students who are hungry for challenge. They want to learn and want someone who will push them. I love working at Ockendon as it pushes me to deliver challenging lessons every day and I am met with fabulous students who I wouldn't change for the world. You have a Head who goes above and beyond in service to the children - this is a staff community supported by a leader who wants to serve the Ockendon community and make every student be the best they can be. Her vision permeates through the building.

Teaching here has allowed me to sharpen my pedagogy, enhance my professionalism, and most importantly of all, afford us all the privilege, and indeed the right, to not only believe in the students again, but believe in ourselves.