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  • Staff Testimonials

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    • Ms D. Bentham (Data & Exams Manager)

      I joined Yardleys in April 2018 as Data and Exams Manager.  I have worked in both primary and secondary schools across the country including the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire and Coventry in various positions.  The exemplary behaviour and warmth which was exuded from the students on my visits before being offered my position here at Yardleys was the deciding factor for taking on my roll.  The attitude of both the staff and the students here at Yardleys makes it feel like a family and I have never looked back.

      I came to Yardleys School to take on a new challenge having left my position as Data and Timetable Manager at a school in Coventry.   Here at Yardleys I was taking on the responsibility of Exams which I had not been part of before, but I was pleased to be bringing my expertise and skills in data and timetabling to the team at a time of change in their Management Information System.  This brought new challenges for me, but with the help and support of the Senior Leadership Team this was not as daunting as it could have been.

      The overall ethos of Yardleys school is to support each other to be their best and this is exactly what happens here, not just for students but for staff also.  Yardleys is a happy, warm and supportive environment to be a part of and I am happy to have joined it to make a small difference in my own way.

    • Ms C. James (Head of Year)

      I joined Yardleys in 2005 as a Teaching Assistant. It was a daunting experience, as I was young and accustomed to working with younger children. However, the staff at Yardleys soon made me feel welcome and helped me build the confidence and resilience I now have to successfully fulfil my role. Over the years, I have been given many opportunities to enhance my professional development.

      In 2007, I successfully secured a position as a Cover Supervisor, which allowed me not only to improve my teaching abilities but also to build relationships with pupils across all year groups. Additionally, I have served as an Assistant Head of Year, which gave me the opportunity to support areas such as PSHE, attendance, and behaviour. In July 2024, I achieved an Honours degree in Childhood and Youth Studies.

      In September 2024, I was appointed Head of Year, and I could not be happier. It is a demanding role, but one that brings great rewards. I thoroughly enjoy supporting and guiding my year group through their challenges and successes.

      Alongside my role as Head of Year, I am also the Mental Health Lead. My caring and empathetic nature enables me to support our young people who may be feeling anxious or require help with their mental health. Working in partnership with an external counselling service ensures that we can guide our pupils towards the appropriate organisations for support. After all, educating pupils about mental and physical health is key to helping them succeed both at school and in the future.


    • Mr R. Vaughan (Head of Year)

      I came to Yardleys school as a Newly Qualified Teacher in 2014. I was nervous, having only just achieved QTS and moving straight into an inner city school. My fears proved to be unfounded. For my NQT year I was given a professional mentor and a subject tutor who guided me through the process of becoming a fully qualified teacher. They dropped in on my lessons every week, giving feedback that was brief, specific and very helpful. I was never left to rest on my laurels, but I never felt like I faced an insurmountable obstacle thanks to their guidance.

      After becoming a fully qualified teacher I was given further opportunities to develop professionally, with hot spots and twilight sessions almost every week focusing on the different aspects of teaching. 

      Yardleys has also given me the opportunity to develop my career by taking on additional responsibilities. In addition to running the school’s DofE and Yardleys Explorer programmes, I have recently taken on the role of Head of Year. It is an incredibly rewarding position, working to support teachers, pupils, and their families to ensure the best outcomes for all.

      A key aspect of the role is the time allocated away from lessons, which the school provides to allow Heads of Year to focus on safeguarding and pastoral support. This is aimed at improving pupil engagement across the entire curriculum. It is a demanding role, but a highly worthwhile one, and it is a great feeling to know that the pastoral team is making a meaningful difference to the lives of our pupils, both in and out of school.


    • Mr P. Buckley (Head of Year)

      I joined Yardleys School in January 2016 as a Head of House (now Head of Year), having previously undertaken a similar role at my previous school. My experiences of Yardleys were positive from the moment that I arrived for my first interview; both staff and students have been enormously welcoming and after only a term here I felt like part of the furniture.

      As a Head of Year I am responsible for the pastoral support offered to 180 students by a team of seven form tutors. I also work closely with parents, Heads of Faculty / Heads of Department and a variety of external agencies to ensure that our students receive the individual support they require to achieve their potential. In addition to this, I undertake a variety of strategic projects and work alongside members of SLT in order to influence whole school strategy and operations.

      All in all, I value the opportunities that I am given at Yardleys to develop my own skill sets as well as those of our students.


    • Ms T. Chauhan-Rowe (Head of Computing and ICT)

      I joined Yardleys as an NQT in 2005, each year has been very different for me. In 2007 I was appointed as Key Stage 3 co-ordinator of ICT, this role gave me a real opportunity to lead and manage a section of the curriculum. During the transition from ICT to Computing I introduced GCSE Computing at KS4 and updated the KS3 curriculum to reflect the latest changes introduced by the government, I was then appointed as Head of Computing & ICT.Most recently I have also taken the role of Professional Mentor which involves mentoring NQT’s and other colleagues. I thoroughly enjoy this role as it has helps me to reflect on my teaching and learning in the classroom and allows me to develop others as well as myself.

      During my time at Yardleys the school has changed considerably and there have been challenging moments but I feel fortunate to have been a part of this development and change. Yardleys School has allowed me to become an outstanding practitioner by providing me with many opportunities. The CPD programme is strong and the opportunity to share good practice is a real strength at Yardleys. The staff are supportive and the students are unique. Each day is different which makes the role exciting, rewarding and stimulating.


    • Ms J. Arshad (Head of English and Drama)

      I joined Yardleys School in July 2021 as an Early Career Teacher and from the very beginning, I felt welcomed and supported by colleagues across the school. The positive and collaborative environment helped me develop confidence in the classroom and grow as a teacher during those early years of my career.
      Since then, my role has developed and I am now proud to be the Head of English and Drama. Throughout my time at Yardleys, I have been encouraged to reflect on and strengthen my practice, which has supported my growth as a teacher and a leader.

      I’ve enjoyed contributing to wider school life through organising events such as the Young Writers competitions and World Book Day events. It’s important to me that students see reading not just as something for the classroom but as something they can genuinely enjoy. Being able to help create opportunities that encourage the love of reading is something I really value.
      Yardleys is a school that encourages staff to continue developing in their roles and I am proud to be part of a community that supports both its students and staff.