Annette McCullion: BA Educational Studies

Annette McCullion

BA Educational Studies, 1996

“I am now Headteacher at Greenfield Lower School and Pulloxhill Lower School Federation."

Annette originally trained as a nursery nurse at Dunstable College. After qualifying she started work in a local Nursery unit attached to an Infant school. Annette said: “There were many opportunities to learn new skills and work within a team of experienced people that shared their expertise.”

Having worked in the nursery for thirteen years, Annette was looking for a new challenge and when offered the chance to work within Key Stage One she took it up immediately. It was about this time that she started looking at ways of entering the teaching profession. Annette was unable to give up work but needed further qualifications. There didn’t seem to be an easy way into the teaching profession so she enrolled at evening classes. She said: “It had been a considerable while since I had studied and my skills were rusty!”

Annette can still remember the day when her Headteacher approached her with information about a new course that was just starting at the University of Luton. The course was part time and considered those with experience instead of ‘A’ levels. This seemed to be the answer to her prayers.

The application process and interviews were straight forward, and before she knew where she was, she was well into her first year of study for a BA in Educational Studies. Annette said: “This was the start of over three years of hard work. The support that I received during that time from colleagues on the course, my mentor at school, and other teachers within my school, was immense. Studying for a degree on top of full time work and raising my children was challenging.”

To gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Annette joined the Licensed Teacher Scheme and qualified at the same time that she gained her degree. Once qualified, she moved schools and started teaching as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in a reception class. This experience meant that she quickly progressed to co-ordinator and then mentoring other licensed teachers.

Annette was promoted to Deputy Head when the school merged with another to form a federation. She then progressed to Acting Head of the Federation and was appointed permanently to the post in February, exactly eight years after joining the school.

Annette said: “The University of Luton opened the door for me and gave me the opportunity to enter the teaching profession. I have encouraged others to follow this path and recommend the course as it enables you to put the academic theory into practice.”

Interview took place in 2005.