Mrs Crump

My journey at St Helen’s first began in September 1995 when I started as a pupil in the St Helen’s Nursery. As a child I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the school and hold fond memories of my time here. As a year 6 pupil I was elected as a House Captain, my first role of real responsibility in the school. This role taught me how to be a role model to my peers and supported me in transitioning to secondary school.

My journey at the school resumed in 2010 when I joined the school as a Teaching Assistant. From the outset, I was committed to developing my practice, particularly in supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). I undertook a range of professional development courses and worked closely with external agencies, which strengthened my understanding of inclusive education and enabled me to better support the diverse needs of our pupils.

In 2017, with the support of the school, I completed a degree in Special Education. This was a significant milestone in my career, deepening my theoretical knowledge and directly impacting my day-to-day practice by allowing me to implement more targeted and effective strategies to support learning and progress.

Building on this foundation, I trained with the London East Teacher Training Alliance (LETTA) in 2021. Through the school’s strong culture of support and mentorship, I successfully achieved Qualified Teacher Status. This experience was transformative, helping me to refine my teaching practice, develop confidence in leading learning, and take greater responsibility for pupil outcomes.

Shortly after qualifying, I further extended my professional development by undertaking the Lead London apprenticeship in leadership. This opportunity enhanced my understanding of effective leadership, collaboration, and school improvement, equipping me with the skills to contribute more strategically to the wider school community.

Recognising my passion for mathematics, the senior leadership team began mentoring me towards becoming Maths Subject Lead. Since stepping into this role, I have had valuable opportunities to work closely with senior leaders and school improvement partners. This has allowed me to develop my subject leadership skills, drive improvements in teaching and learning in mathematics, and contribute to raising standards across the school.

Overall, the continuous professional development opportunities provided by St Helen’s have been instrumental in shaping my career. Each stage of my journey has had a direct and positive impact on my practice, enabling me to better support pupils, contribute to school improvement, and grow as both a teacher and a leader.