Wealden Times | WT230 | July 2021 | Education supplement inside

Education Supplement sponsored by
Meet the Head
Mrs Therésa Jaggard, Head of Spring Grove School,
chats skill sets, hobbies and school values
Why did you choose a career in teaching?
I enjoyed a range of subjects at school
and thought a career where I could both
use my skill set and have variety would
suit. I then worked as a volunteer for
some youth groups and found sharing
the skills I had learned with young
people very satisfying. I am naturally
motivational and enjoy inspiring others.
Can you tell us about an inspirational
teacher from your school days? My Head
of Music – she took time to recognise
a talent I had and nurtured it. She also
noticed when I needed support and
gave me a lot of encouragement – she
provided me with many opportunities
and signposted me to county orchestras
and choirs to further my skills. She
always went above and beyond.
What do you like doing in your spare
time? Music – I am a violinist, pianist
and singer and enjoy making music
with friends. As well as my wide-ranging
musical interests, I also enjoy a variety of
sports, particularly swimming and skiing –
which I adore. I enjoy cooking and trying
out new recipes, entertaining friends and
family. I have a dog and two Siamese cats
who keep me busy in my spare time.
What were you doing before accepting
the headteacher position at Spring Grove
School? I have had experience in both
the state and independent education
sectors, and most recently was Deputy
Head Teacher at Leybourne St Peter
and St Paul CEP Academy, where
I led the school through Academy
conversion. I had experience as Acting
Head at Leybourne, and was also
seconded by the local authority as
Acting Head to another Kent school.
What do you think makes Spring Grove
School special? Without doubt the
strong family feel at Spring Grove, and
the knowledge that the children are
at the heart of everything we do. The
children at Spring Grove are curious
and friendly – they love learning and
enjoy living. We deliberately cultivate an
appetite for adventure and a tolerance
for error, creating can-do people,
who are able to act independently.
Can you explain a little bit about your
school’s values? Our core values are
summed up in the words ‘Confidence,
Creativity, Consideration, Care and
Curiosity’. Our expert teachers and
support staff deliver an ambitious,
broad, knowledge- and skills-based
curriculum, where there is mastery of
subjects from phonics through to the skills
needed to play a musical instrument.
What’s been your proudest achievement
so far? Steering the school through
a pandemic – safely. I’m so proud of
the team I lead; every member of the
Spring Grove staff has adapted to
face the many challenges that have
been thrown up this year. I drive into
school everyday feeling it’s my second
home – which is rather lovely.
What are you looking forward to
this coming school year? Having a
‘normal’ school year! I am looking
forward to all the things that have
been restricted recently – having whole
school assemblies in the hall, inviting
parents into school, engaging with the
wider community. I am also excited
to restart our ensembles and see the
children making music together again.
springgroveschool.co.uk
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