By Matthew Francis
Matthew studied law at London University and Exeter University before training as a solicitor. He then worked as a Management Consultant for 15 years.
Throughout his career he has passionately believed in enabling organisations and individuals to achieve their full potential. This was the main motivator to take a PGCE in Secondary Education .
In July 2020 he joined Brentwood County High School as a teacher of Business Studies & Economics.
Finding the right school
In July, I received a call from academy schools trust in Essex. They wanted to discuss the possibility of me joining one of the trust’s schools as an NQT teacher. The conversion was very informal, it was focused but it did not have the feel of an interview. On the call, we scheduled a Zoom meeting between myself, the leader of the trust and a deputy headteacher from the school for the following morning.
Within half an hour of the Zoom call the next day, I had been offered a place as a business studies and economics teacher at Brentwood County High School. I would be starting in September. This was my first teaching role, and even though it seemed like a twenty-four-hour whirlwind at the time, it just felt right!
Finding the right fit
Over the last twenty years, I have trained as a lawyer, delivered change transformation projects and coached aspiring business owners to plan their journeys to success. This was why I wanted to get into teaching when I changed career.
I wanted to enable my students to succeed and felt I had the passion for the subject that teachers should have, and I wanted to make sure that the school I taught at was the right fit. I wanted to be in a school that was dynamic, forward thinking and able to adapt to change. I have found this at Brentwood County High School and, even though I’ve only been with them for two weeks, I can see why things moved so quickly!
Walking the walk, not just talking the talk
In July, I had the chance to go into the school and meet the rest of the team and I jumped at this opportunity. I am a habitual networker and I was keen to meet the other teachers that I’d be working with and get to know the culture of the school.
As soon as met the rest of the team, I knew that the school was the right place for me. The head teacher met me when I arrived, and the atmosphere of the school was one of trust and collaboration; a school that cares and works together as a team.
There is a story about when John. F. Kennedy went to NASA and asked a janitor what their role was. The janitor responded that he was helping to put men on the moon. The culture at NASA was one where every contribution was valuable and, even though I’m not John. F. Kennedy, and I’m not teaching at NASA, I get the same sense of being valued at my school!
Get into teaching
These are exciting times to get into teaching. Finding the right school for you is key. I have found the perfect school for me and I encourage you to find yours!
