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Smithdon High School

Alumni

Smithdon High School Alumni

Smithdon High School opened in 1954. We want to hear from former students and would love to know what you have done since leaving Smithdon High School.

We are planning to build up a webpage giving details of the achievements of our former students. Please contact us through our alumni email: alumni@smithdonhigh.org.uk.

It would be fantastic if you are also able to forward this request to other people in your family who attended Smithdon or other people who you were at school with to share their experiences.

Please send us:

  • A Picture
  • Year of leaving
  • Brief details of your memories of school
  • What jobs you have done since leaving school
  • A message for current students

We will regularly feature former students on this page: look out for your friends and family!

We look forward to hearing from you,

Mr Chapman and Ms Bazeley-Smith


Featured Student

Aidan Gollaglee
Year of leaving: 2010

Memories of School

I have fond memories of all the good and the bad. The good would be the Mathematical inspiration that was Mr Skipper; the exceptionally talented PE teacher Mr Allsop and counting to 10 in different languages whilst stretching; chatting to the wonderful ex-headmaster Doug Little on the way to and from school in the mornings; winning regional cross country events; somehow winning a golf tournament (the trophy is still proudly displayed in my cabinet); the football team going undefeated for two seasons in a row and our basketball team facing off against Gaywood Park girls’ team for one of the best matches we played. I still remember Mr Rushton laughing incessantly at me falling over and fighting for the ball with one of the girls.

The not so good would be me coming to school in a skirt to protest the fact boys couldn’t wear shorts, being late to school almost every day because I had a job in the mornings and generally not being motivated to study for exams!

I would describe myself as a student that could certainly have made more of my time studying at school – I was fortunate to achieve good A-level grades Maths, Further Maths, Biology and PE. Living and growing up in Hunstanton in an area and family of low aspiration made it difficult to really make the most of school. I was receiving free school meals and lived in a low-income household. I loved learning but had no interest in examination success. It is a combination of these and my experiences at Smithdon both good and bad that have driven me to find the success I have. So much so I am now very heavily involved in shaping Maths Education across the UK. I am sure during my sixth form years I was somewhat of a difficult student to manage at times

What jobs you have done since leaving school

Since graduating Loughborough University with a degree in Mathematics, I have worked for General Electric in Aerospace Project Management before receiving the Institute of Maths Scholarship to support me in embarking on a career in Maths education.

After completing my NQT year in Hackney, London I became KS4 Maths Lead in Greenwich, London for one year before then taking on a role as Head of Department for three years at a Grammar School in Sidcup. I then progressed to Lead Practitioner and leading CPD in Secondary and Post-16 Maths Education for one year, before taking over the London South East Plus Maths Hub. I now am part of the Senior Leadership Team at a school in Southwark, London and oversee delivery of the government funded Maths Hub Programmes as well as running subject leadership training for teachers on behalf of the National Council for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics. In my current role I lead on Primary, Secondary and Post-16 Maths improvement for the London Boroughs of Bexley, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and The City.

Aside from this work I do talks for the Institute of Mathematics Scholarship Programme and visit schools to do free consultations and support their departments in delivering improvement.

A message for current students

No matter where you come from, no matter who you are surrounded by, make the most of every experience. You will learn from both the good and the bad and be all the better for it. Set yourself high expectations and work towards them. I will always regret not making the most of my opportunities when I was younger, don’t live life with regrets. Set yourself goals and don’t be afraid to ask people for guidance on how to achieve them! Norfolk can be an isolating place, but you will gain experiences that many others will not, you have the opportunity to build on your initiative and independence. It is how you deal with adversity and challenges that will make you proudest.