Meet Kelly: Head of School - Canterbury

Kelly is our Head of School at the Canterbury School, Remote & Outreach. We caught up with Kelly to learn more about her role here at The Rosewood School.

 

Hi Kelly! Please could you tell us a little about yourself and your role at TRS?

I have been at TRS for 6 years now. I joined as the Head of Science and during this time I was able to ensure the success of the science provision across our schools.

I then took the opportunity to become Lead Practitioner for teaching and learning, supporting the school to ensure that our lessons are as engaging and challenging as possible, and to ensure that students make great progress. During this role I helped to develop the remote learning programme that we offer today.

Last year I stepped up to Assistant Head Teacher, overseeing the Canterbury School, and providing remote learning and outreach support.

 

Can you tell us some more about the Canterbury School at TRS?

Our Canterbury School is for pupils aged 11 to 16. We have 2 outdoor yards, one hard and one Astro, which students use for PE and break time. We have 3 classrooms, one of which is a science lab. We are in a nice location with a primary and secondary school right by us, as well as parks and the Canterbury city on our doorstep which gives us the chance for some very local trips out.

 

How do remote provisions work?

If a student is physically unable to come to school due to a health condition, we enable them to continue with their education. In 2019, we partnered with another education provision who provided for students who were unable to get to school.  After running a test group later that year, we took the leap and fully launched our Remote Learning Programme.

This has resulted in a very well researched and prepared response to remote learning that we are exceptionally proud of. Students now receive lessons from subject specialists in a virtual classroom. They complete their work online which allows the teacher to support them during their lesson and gives them the ability to access the classwork if they were unable to attend the live lesson. The aim is to make falling behind with school a worry of the past whilst students are recovering.

 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

At TRS I am learning every single day and in a smaller environment, I get to know my students fast. I then get to see their amazing transformations as they improve and progress and head off with the skills and confidence to go back to school, college, 6th form or off into an apprenticeship. The real highlights are those emails, phone calls and visits to tell me what they are doing now and just being so proud that I was able to be a part of their journey.

 

What advice would you give to a student joining TRS?

It is a school but not as you know it. Take a deep breath and step through the door and see what is behind it as you are going to make friends, have fun and learn.