RACHEL DICKINSON

I was introduced to the joys of teaching from an early age, with both my parents being primary school teachers. At every opportunity, I would volunteer to help my parents in their primary schools. Nothing gave me greater reward and sense of achievement than supporting children in the classroom. I spent a lot of time in a primary school in Rochdale. The school was in a particularly deprived area. This was the defining moment, that drove me to become a primary school teacher.

My teaching degree included a specialism in teaching French in the primary school. This then afforded me the opportunity to work in a French primary school and spend an invaluable 4 months in a French teaching training college. As part of my time in France, I taught children from Year 1 to Year 6. This was an unforgettable experience and allowed me to gain much confidence in my teaching abilities.

My first teaching appointment was a Year 3 class in Darnhill, Rochdale. It was also a deprived area of the town, where most of the children were living in council assisted housing. I was drawn to support children who were faced with the more challenging circumstances, through no fault of their own. This pattern continued when I moved to a school in Sowerby Bridge in Halifax, as a Reception/Year 1 class and later to a town centre school in Leigh, where I have taught every year group from Reception to Year 6.

I believe, over the last nearly 30 years, I have been a dedicated primary school teacher with a nurturing approach, bringing strong communication and desire to develop the best possible relationships between myself and my pupils. Furthermore, it was always my goal to ensure that every child in my class felt valued and listened to. I feel I have the ability to engage young minds and foster positive learning experiences. I am whole heartedly committed to inspiring and supporting students, contributing to their academic and, in my opinion more importantly personal growth. It has been my absolute privilege to help these children, spark their future aspirations, and instill confidence into them.

• Skiing
• Roller Skating
• Yoga
• Running, including weekly Park Runs
• Pottery
• Gardening