Page 37 - Oundle Life November 2024

Oundle lives...
ANNA
HEWES
Educating Oundle
Anna Hewes’ delight to have started as the Headteacher of Prince William School is palpable. She is looking forward to meeting and getting to know all the students, staff and families as the year progresses.
Have you always lived in Oundle? I lived in East Northamptonshire from the age of eight, before which my family and I
lived on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. I moved away to Scotland for university, then did my teaching qualification
and first teaching role in mid Wales
before moving to Malaysia for eight
years teaching in a British curriculum international school. This is where I got married and had my children. I moved back to Northamptonshire in July 2017.
What is the best thing about your job? The best thing about being a school leader is the opportunity to genuinely impact the educational experiences of those we work alongside, both students and staff. Schools are really dynamic and fast paced environments, and I find that pace and drive really motivating.
... and the worst? The night before the results days in August! Have you done enough for those students to achieve what they need for their next pathways?!
Is this your first Headteacher position? Yes, it is, and I couldn’t be more delighted than to be the Headteacher of PWS, my old school, that
I couldn’t be more delighted than to be the Headteacher of PWS
gave me such incredible opportunities and chances through the education I received here.
Had you always been a teacher?
Yes, although when I was at university, I rallied against it! I didn’t appreciate the level of challenge, expertise
and passion that is needed to be an excellent teacher, and only when I did some work experience in a school did
I realise just how purpose driven and dedicated teachers are. It is this challenge and dedication that keeps the job incredibly engaging.
You have £10 to give to charity – who do you choose? This is easy: a local mental health charity. Since the pandemic and the cost of living crisis and working in schools, we’ve seen
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