Headteacher Kathryn Yiannadji

What attracted you to Woodland Academy Trust and Knockhall Primary?

I had been working for a charity which had core values based on supporting the community and I was looking for a Trust which had the same principles when I came across the Woodland Academy Trust. The fact that Knockhall Primary has been part of the local community for over 100 years interested me. Many of the families and staff have a deep loyalty to the school which is truly inspiring and I wanted to be part of the journey in creating an excellent school that the community can feel proud of.

 

Why did you want to become a Headteacher?

I had never imagined that I would be a headteacher so it’s probably easier for me to explain why I became a teacher. I had a challenging time throughout my own schooling. Everyone says that they have that one teacher who inspired them. I didn’t have that experience, so I initially I became a teacher to ensure that the children I worked with had the best possible school experience. I enjoyed creating nurturing environments where everyone felt included, and this became a passion of mine. Being a headteacher allows me to channel my passion for creating a nurturing and enriching environment with a whole school community. 

 

What three things bring you most joy about your role?

1. I enjoy being out in the playground in the mornings and welcoming the children with their families into the school. Gradually over the past few months I have begun to build relationships with the families and being there to check in with them is rewarding.

2. It is a joy to walk around the school and see that the children are proud to be here. They show me what they have been learning or tell me a fun fact they have found out. The children are polite and kind to each other which is lovely to see and hear.

3. I have a strong love of learning and thrive from being around a staff team with a wealth of knowledge which means that I am learning from them all the time. I enjoy these relationships and seeing the team strengthen and develop over time.

 

What does school community mean to you and which aspects of your school community are you most proud of?

We are extremely lucky at Knockhall Primary School because our community is established and has roots in the local history.

Our local church is a Centrepoint and serves our school community through foodbank, Brownies, and its cafe. Our Community Fridge is run by a member of our PTFA who also works at our local Co-op. Not only does our Co-op support our Community Fridge, but also our breakfast club. We also have fantastic support from our Local Academy Committee Chair, Trustees and current local councillors in supporting us to make use of local organisations and funding streams.

All of this makes our ‘community’ and Knockhall Primary continues to develop its role in being the hub that brings everyone together.

Visit our Trust Team profile page to read more about Kathryn- Trust Team

If you would like to know more about Knockhall Primary school, visit their school website: Knockhall Primary school website

If you are interested in joining our Trust, check out our vacancies!