Your Name: 

Gemma Brown

School: 

St Peter’s Junior School

When did you become Headteacher at the school? 

I started here in January 2023 in an interim role and was then appointed at Easter permanently.

Tell us about your teaching background and how you came to your current position.

I have been teaching since 2004 and in 2020 I moved from working in the Peterborough area over to Wisbech. I have worked with five other schools and two other Trusts. To now be within DEMAT feels like the right spot for me and the team here to flourish, allowing the children to get the best possible chances. 

I have always had a passion for teaching and feel strongly that a good education is what will unlock a successful future for our children and community. I think being in the leadership team for a school is my best chance at being able to have this effect on the next generation. I have been in a Deputy Head teaching post in three different schools now and during the pandemic and on the completion of my NPQH, securing a Headship was the next step. However, I wanted to make sure the Headship I took on was the right one. I had been tempted by other posts and had my interests piqued for other settings; but St Peter’s is where I really want to be.

What do you think makes your school stand out?

Our strap line is ‘A Rock for the Community.’ This vision is what drives us. A good education is the foundation for a fantastic future and we champion all our children, just like Jesus did for St Peter, to make sure they master and secure the knowledge and skills they need as a foundation to their future choices. Our children matter; our families matter; our staff matter and with a good foundation, we will all be able to uphold our values of positivity, perseverance, passion and presence to succeed. Being a member of the St Peters’ community is a privilege for me as a Head and I don’t just hope, but expect anyone who joins us would feel the same – whether that’s on a visit, or for a longer stay. 

What are your plans for the school? How have you/will you make your mark?

St Peter’s has such a bright future and we are already well on the road to improving outcomes year on year; these need to reach beyond the national standards. Our children deserve to do well. Our teaching and learning principles are becoming embedded and so ensuring a good level of consistency, through instructional coaching is a priority. We have appointed two new Assistant Headteachers who will strengthen and lead our Lower and Upper Key Stage teams, so that pedagogy is secured. 

Tell us something about yourself that your staff and pupils might not know.

I am an open book, extroverted some may say, and so there is not a lot they don’t know!

I don’t really like ice-cream, which some people find peculiar. I do one major charity event that tests me to the limit each year. Since being at St Peter’s (and Covid allowing), that has included a 5k colour run, a skydive and an open water night swim (which I hope to do again soon).

What’s been the highlight of your teaching career to date?

Simply put, being appointed to this role and getting a chance to serve our community; championing our children to go beyond what they thought possible within an amazing team of professionals, children and families. 

Reading is obviously a core focus for children. What’s your favourite children’s book and why?

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry – a beautifully written book based in WW2 Denmark, following the escape of a Jewish family, told through the lens of two young girls. This perspective is captivating and although a work of fiction, by an American author, they have captured the historical detailing brilliantly. Lowry said it was based on a true story, which makes the relationships and development of plot even more spectacular. I was introduced to it as part of Reading Reconsidered Training, and I have now read it more times than I have fingers.