Name 
Rachel Clarke

School 
Ely St Mary’s Church of England Junior School

When did you become Headteacher at the school?
I began as Headteacher on an interim basis in September 2021 before going on to the substantive Headteacher role in May 2022.
 

Tell us about your teaching background and how you came to your current position. 
I trained at the University of Northampton in Primary Education with QTS. This provider gave me the chance to study primary education with a specialism in art and this was hard to find! This enabled me to train while still pursuing my own art and learn about art in the primary age range. I remained in Northampton after graduating and worked at Deanshanger Primary, on the border of Northampton and Milton Keynes, during which time I began a Masters and completed a National Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders.

In 2013, I relocated to be nearer to my family and began working as a maths teacher and lower Key Stage 2 Phase Lead at Ely St Marys and I have stayed here ever since.

What do you think makes your school stand out? 
For the staff, I think it is the culture of aspiration, determination and reflection among the most wonderful camaraderie which means we aim to achieve even in challenging times and enjoy doing so together.

The pupils at the school have the benefit of wonderful school grounds and resources – music rooms, theatre, art studio, STEM Room – alongside a wealth of staff expertise and experience. Our staff have trained in a whole host of specialisms from biology and archaeology to linguistics and art.

Our children and families are supported by a dedicated pastoral and SEND team too, recognised within the local and educational community. I believe the school really does try to go above and beyond to support every child in the best way we can.

What are your plans for the school? How have you/will you make your mark? 
In 10 years, it has been a privilege to work at Ely St Mary’s and contribute to the school’s journey. We have been on an upward trajectory and recently exceeded national outcomes – a long term aim for the school and the children we teach.

My goal now is one of sustainability and legacy – embedding the effective changes made, as well as the school’s core and broader curriculum offer.

What’s been the highlight of your teaching career to date? 
I was very fortunate to have the best introduction into teaching and an NQT year to rival any year thereafter. As I began a career in teaching, I got to work with an artist in residence and our Year 4 cohort to produce rainforest themed artwork and printed canvases: we went on to exhibit at the MK Gallery and Saatchi Gallery London and I treasure this experience to this day – it was absolutely magical!
 

Reading is obviously a core focus for children. What’s your favourite children’s book and why? 
My favourite book at the moment would have the be The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – I even have a Charlie Mackesy print in my home!

My favourite picture book is Lost & Found by Oliver Jeffers and as a child I have vivid memories of my Year 3 teacher reading us the Beaver Towers series by Nigel Hinton – wonderful stories of friendship and adventure.

Tell us something about yourself that your staff and pupils might not know.
My passion for social mobility and education stems from personal experience. I hold distinct memories of what it means to be a ‘free school meal child’ within an affluent school population and this influences my passion to provide all children with an equity of experience and an ethos of grit and determination to achieve their very best.



Work aside, some interesting facts about myself are that I have a big, sweet tooth, enjoy aerial classes such as aerial hoop (just like in the circus!); and summer is my favourite season – I love those days when the temperature reaches above 20 degrees.