Denise, how did you first get started at Oakley Primary Academy, and what was your job back then?
“My career at Oakley Primary Academy began back in 1995, the year my second child started in early years. My elder sister was a member of the original school PTA group, who set up the before-and-after school Club. After running it successfully for about a year, it became apparent that they needed a qualified member of staff to join the team. This is where I came in, as I had qualified with the National Nursery Examination Board.”
You’ve had lots of different roles here over the years, from the Kids Club to being a teaching assistant. Can you tell us about some of the jobs you’ve done and what they involved?
“I started part-time in the September, as my son Josh also started attending part-time in early years. I worked in Kids Club on the days that I wasn’t working in a nearby day nursery in Bedford. When that nursery was forced to close due to changes in the building’s requirements, I took up a full-time position at Kids Club. I was responsible for managing four other members of staff.
“As the years went on, I took up a TA post during the day. I then transferred with the pupil I supported to the adjacent Lincroft Middle School (now known as ‘Lincroft Academy’).
“During this period, I trained to become a high-level teaching assistant. An unexpected vacancy arose for a maths teacher and I was asked if I would like to take on the position; after some consideration, I took on this role. As time progressed, I eventually became a form teacher. I was then asked by the SENCO if I would be interested in taking part in a new course at Cambridge University. Once qualified, a nurturing unit was set up, which I helped to run for a number of years. During this time, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and took great pride and satisfaction in seeing the development of some of our most vulnerable pupils.”
And now you’re the Wrap-around Care Manager. What do you do in that job, and what do you like most about it?
“My role in Kids Club at Oakley Primary Academy, is to provide a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment; encourage, stimulate, and promote self-esteem to all the children in our care, recognising that they are all individuals; liaise with parents, carers, and school staff to ensure we are meeting the needs of the children; ensure that the environment is clean, tidy, and safe for the children; be responsible for any safeguarding, and contribute to the overall ethos of the school.”
What do you think has made you stay at Oakley Primary Academy for so long? What makes it such a good place to work?
“I continued working in Kids Club throughout. Starting work in Kids Club at 8 o’clock in the morning, then walking over to Lincroft for the majority of the school day, returning to Kids Club for the afternoon session, which finished at 6 pm. After about 14 years, I left teaching to become a receptionist at Oakley. I still worked the same hours but didn’t have to move between the schools! As well as a receptionist, I have also been a dinner lady.
When my daughter had her first child, my first grandchild, I reduced my working hours so that I could support her. School is fantastic; however, family will always be the most important thing in my life.
Subsequently, two more grandchildren have arrived, and I have reduced my hours in Kids Club to care for my son’s baby. My number one grandson will be starting at Oakley in September – on my 30th anniversary!”
It is easy to see what Oakley Primary Academy means to Denise. Her experiences show not just her own journey, but how the school has grown and changed over the years. With her grandson starting at Oakley in the autumn, Denise’s story has come full circle.
Oakley Primary Academy is all the richer for her years of service.
