Mrs Sarah Raja takes us through a typical day as Headmistress at Rowan Preparatory School
Like many families, my mornings are pretty busy. My husband and I both work in schools, so there’s the usual rush to get ourselves out of the door, along with our two teenage boys. It’s hectic, but I genuinely wouldn’t have it any other way.
When I arrive at Rowan, my first stop is always a big mug of Yorkshire tea. After that, I like to catch up with colleagues before the day really gets going. Hearing what’s been going well, sharing news and checking in with each other always sets the tone for the day. My colleagues would probably say I’m never far away from my trusty biscuit tin. It has become a bit of a tradition that it appears at staff meetings!
The best part of any day is spending time with the girls. I still love teaching, and whether I’m in the classroom, leading assemblies or out on playground duty, those are the moments I enjoy most. Working in close partnership with parents is also incredibly important, as together we help every girl grow in confidence and flourish. Seeing the girls make each other laugh, tackle new challenges and develop into confident young people is what makes the job so rewarding.
It’s home time. I’m a huge believer in girls’ education because I see every day the difference it can make. It’s wonderful watching our pupils discover what they’re capable of and having the confidence to give things a go. If they head home happy and excited to come back the next day, I feel we’ve done our job well. There’s something really special about seeing girls thrive in an environment that’s built around them and encourages them to be curious, ambitious and completely themselves.
Before I head home, I have one last check of my emails and a look at the next day’s diary. Then comes perhaps the hardest job of the day: convincing Otto, our miniature dachshund and much-loved school dog, that it’s time to leave school. He’s usually quite happy where he is, so it can take a little persuasion before we finally make it to the car together.
For more info about Rowan Preparatory School, visit rowanprepschool.co.uk
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