Career stories

At WMAT we want to support staff to develop and progress their careers.  Working in a Trust of 13 schools, across primary, secondary and Special Educational Needs schools, we can offer a huge range of opportunities. 

You can hear direct from staff about their career stories but accessing podcasts published as part of our ‘Flow-cast’ comms. You can also read a personal account of career development opportunities at WMAT from Zara Wright below.

 

A personal account of career development opportunities at WMAT, from Zara Wright, Principal of The Park school:


I am thankful to be so well supported by the central team, the other headteachers, our governors and incredible team at The Park School.

I started my school career as a Teaching Assistant then became a drama teacher in 2007, working in a specialist school for boys with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. After moving to mainstream as a nurture teacher and qualifying as a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator, I joined Farnham Heath End School in 2015 as Assistant Headteacher and completed a Masters in Education in Inclusive Education.

It was a privilege to work at FHES with such a fantastic team and be part of their ‘Road to Great’. Due to the nature of the SEND crisis, I did my advanced SEND legal training. When I returned from maternity leave in 2019, I remained at FHES but was fortunate to be appointed ‘Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Lead’ part-time for the Trust. This was an exciting new role but challenging due to the pandemic. The mental health leads were brilliant at connecting and creating solutions about how to support our young people through such a difficult period. This role inspired me complete an MSc in Psychology which the Trust supported me with. In 2021, I did a dual role supporting both Weydon and FHES SEND Teams and enjoyed facilitating collaborative opportunities across the schools.

In 2022, I was appointed Director of SEND for the Trust which was a huge privilege as I worked with so many talented and skilled staff across the schools. As part of this role, I also went to support at The Park School (TPS) temporarily as their leadership team was short-staffed. There was something truly extraordinary about TPS and I was deeply impressed by how kind, welcoming and brimming with potential the students and staff were. I began doing a split role as deputy headteacher at TPS and continued with my director work across the Trust. In September 2024, I became headteacher at TPS which is my dream job, and I couldn’t be happier. As I navigate through another significant learning curve, I am thankful to be so well supported by the central team, the other headteachers, our governors and incredible team at TPS. Currently, I am completing my NPQH which I hope to complete at Easter. 

WMAT has given me so many opportunities to grow and develop over the years.

Some of my highlights since joining the Trust have been:

  • Speaking at Westminster Education Forum on the SEND reforms
  • Writing and presenting for WMAT’s School Centred Initial Teacher Training
  • Being part of the ‘Behind the Mask’ project on supporting neurodivergent girls for Surrey
  • Working with the WMAT SENDCos and chairing their network meetings
  • Recording a podcast for The SENDCast

My ambition now is to support our staff and students to recognise and surpass their potential. If I can go from a TA to a headteacher then anything is possible!