Ever since she was little, Miss Martin knew she wanted to be a teacher. What started as childhood play quickly became a real passion, especially after her first experience at Chinthurst as a Gap Student. Now, she's back in the classroom doing what she loves most - teaching, inspiring, and being part of the Chinthurst family.

What inspired you to become a teacher? There are really two parts to this. From a young age, I've always had a natural interest in teaching. I used to take home my spelling tests, photocopy them, and organise them into folders so I could play 'teachers' with my friends. I even once asked for an interactive whiteboard for my birthday! So, I suppose I have always been destined to end up where I am today. Beyond that, it was my time at Chinthurst that truly inspired me. I started here as a Gap Student and was instantly struck by the passion of the teachers and the enthusiasm of the children. From my very first day, I felt that this was where I belonged and that teaching could be the perfect career for me.

What has your journey into teaching looked like so far? After studying Psychology at the University of Bristol, I joined Chinthurst as a Gap Student. At the time, I was considering a career in speech therapy, but being surrounded by such fantastic teaching quickly sparked a new passion in me. After my role as a Gap Student, I decided to travel for a while… which turned into two amazing years living in Australia! Whilst I loved the lifestyle and adventures there, the idea of coming back to the UK to train as a teacher - hopefully at Chinthurst, was never far from my mind. Fortunately, that dream became a reality. I was welcomed back to Chinthurst with open arms and have since been trained by some of the very best in the profession (definitely not biased!). I now have the privilege of teaching my own class, and I couldn't be more excited about the journey ahead.

What is your favourite children's book and why? The first that comes to mind is the Junie B. Jones series. These books follow a spirited schoolgirl with a wonderfully unique take on everyday life. I remember reading these books over and over as a child, laughing out loud each time. Another favourite is Born to Run by Michael Morpurgo. I read it as part of a primary school book club and couldn't put it down! It's a powerful story about a greyhound named Best Mate and the bond he forms with a boy named Patrick. I've always loved stories about animals, especially dogs, but this one stayed with me because of its important message about compassion and responsibility.

What subject did you enjoy most when you were at school? Definitely Science! I loved the hands-on experiments we got to do in class and would even watch related videos when I got home to learn more. This may also have something to do with the fact that my teacher once hatched chicks in an incubator in the classroom - a very exciting day for us all! Now, I love passing that enthusiasm on to my own students. One of my favourite moments was teaching magnetic forces using iron filings with Year 3 last year - the look on their faces when they saw the magnetic field was as if I'd performed a magic trick!

What's been your most rewarding teaching moment? As any teacher will tell you, it's hard to choose just one. Every day brings special moments, whether it's a ‘lightbulb' moment in class or a heartfelt conversation in the playground. That said, some of my most rewarding memories have come from school residential trips. I've been lucky enough to go on trips with Years 4, 5 and 6 - most recently to High Ashurst with Year 4 (now Year 5). Those few days were truly magical: seeing the children grow in independence, enjoy new experiences, and soak up the sunshine. It's especially powerful being able to see how much they've grown over the year, both in confidence and character.

A quote or piece of advice that inspires you? "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - A.A. Milne. I've always loved this quote because it can apply to anyone, at any stage of life, whether you're facing a tricky maths problem or navigating a personal challenge. It's a comforting reminder that we are often far more capable than we realise, and we always come out stronger than we expect.

What do you love most about Chinthurst? That's an easy one. The strong sense of family. From the moment I first arrived, I felt like part of something special. The warmth and support from both staff and students is unlike anything I've experienced. It's such a positive, welcoming place - so much so, that I found myself thinking about it even when I was on the other side of the world!