Our Staff Stories
Callum Adamson, Head of the MTECH Faculty
Callum embarked on his teaching career following some years in the private sector working in technical sales. Despite achieving professional success, he found the role unfulfilling. Maths was a subject Callum enjoyed immensely, having pursued it during his university degree, and it is this passion that ultimately led him back to education, completing his PGCE at Manchester University.
During his time at Manchester University, Callum had an exceptional mentor who profoundly influenced his perspective on teaching, emphasising the importance of a student-centred approach to education. He completed his teaching placements in Manchester and spent two years teaching in Salford before relocating to London in 2021, where he secured a position at La Sainte Union. Callum was drawn to the school due to its prime location, excellent transport links and strong reputation, particularly in the Maths Department. Upon visiting, he was impressed by our students' enthusiasm and the supportive environment, solidifying his decision to join the team.
Callum appreciates the freedom and trust he is given to develop his teaching methods, alongside the consistent support available when needed. He has been offered numerous Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, including:
- Participating in Maths CPD sessions to explore innovative teaching approaches
- Serving as a mentor for Early Career Teachers (ECTs)
- Leading the Teaching Learning Community, his first leadership role for staff development
- Engaging in subject network meetings and collaborating with teachers in Camden and LaSWAP
- Contributing to staff INSET days and attending trauma-informed practice sessions.
As the Head of the MTECH Faculty, Callum is incredibly proud to lead a department that merges Maths, Art and Design Technology. Despite being relatively new to the school, having joined in 2021, his dedication and vision quickly earned him this leadership position. Callum feels a deep sense of responsibility to uphold the high standards set by his predecessor, who also served as an influential mentor.
Looking ahead, Callum is committed to ensuring the ongoing success of the Maths Department and excelling in his role as Head of Faculty. He has a clear vision for the department's future and is eager to implement strategies that will ensure our students thrive and succeed.
Olivia Ward, Librarian
I have been the school librarian since 2018, but my connection with this wonderful school spans over a decade. I was initially drawn to the school because of its incredible location and breathtaking campus - something I did not expect to find. The architecture and school grounds are truly astonishing, reminiscent of something out of The Sound of Music.
Our school library is a vibrant and inclusive space where everyone is welcome to read, study and even play games during lunchtime. It reflects the diverse and welcoming nature of our school community, embracing different faiths, beliefs, genders and more. I prioritise making the library student-led because the school itself gives students a strong voice.
One of the highlights for me is witnessing the remarkable growth and development of our students into confident young women. Seeing them progress from Year 7 to their final year is incredibly rewarding. Looking ahead, I aim to bring more authors into the school to inspire our students and to forge more partnerships that will enrich their experience even further.
Angela Defoe, Computer Science and Digital Strategy Lead
Angela joined our school in September 2020, bringing with her a wealth of experience from various sectors. After graduating with a 2:1 in Computer Science at City of London Polytechnic, she began her career at Westminster Council and later worked at a large publishing company in Mayfair as a Systems Manager. Angela then spent three years as a freelance contractor and consultant for prestigious companies such as IBM before working as a Programme Manager at John Lewis for four years. Angela's transition into secondary education was a natural progression, driven by her passion to contribute to a community of learners and impact their education positively. Her search for a school with a community and family feel, similar to the one she attended, led her to La Sainte Union.
What Angela finds unique about our school is the diversity of our student body. Students come from all over London, bringing a variety of backgrounds yet sharing many similarities. The collaborative spirit within the school allows students to learn together and progress to their fullest potential. Angela takes great pride in being part of their vision and ambition for the future.
Angela appreciates the collaborative environment where support is freely and happily given. She has benefited from numerous CPD opportunities at the school, including government-funded courses for teaching in STEM, AI teaching courses and Raspberry Pi Foundation CPD for Computing. Angela has also engaged in academic research with UCL on various Computing and STEM projects and collaborates closely with Camden STEAM. Our school, as an Enthuse Partnership lead school, allows Angela to manage a fund dedicated to providing STEM training to other schools, ensuring continuous learning and development.
A standout highlight of Angela's career is hosting the AI Conference at La Sainte Union in February 2024. This event marked the beginning of many future conferences, as Angela has completed a facilitator course to enable her to lead such initiatives. Her proudest moment was her first year teaching at the school during the second lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. She rose to the challenge, innovated and adapted, and was rewarded by the high engagement of her students.
Angela’s leadership in Computer Science and Digital Strategy ensures that our students are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. Looking ahead, she aspires to introduce and teach T Levels in Computer Science for sixth formers, expanding the school's curriculum offering, and provide students with broader educational opportunities in Computer Science, preparing them for future academic and professional success.
Olivia Harris, Subject and Productions Lead for Music
Olivia began her career working with primary-aged children but found it difficult to not see their long-term progression as they moved on to secondary school. Her approach to teaching Music has always been to treat it as a language, encouraging students to create and use music fluently. This philosophy drew her to La Sainte Union, where music is not just part of the curriculum but is deeply ingrained in the school's ethos.
What brings Olivia to work every day is the students. She thrives on the variety of music styles she gets to explore with them and values their input in shaping the curriculum. This reciprocal educational relationship – where students educate her as much as she educates them – keeps her motivated and engaged. Watching them thrive and progress as they navigate their educational career and witnessing their achievements are also among the most rewarding aspects of her role.
Throughout her time here, she has experienced numerous highlights. She has been part of spectacular tours, conducted the choir in the cathedral and contributed to numerous productions, including the recent take on ‘Chicago’. Her career highlights are deeply tied to the students' reactions and achievements. The joy and pride she sees in their eyes when they accomplish something special or create something from scratch are the true highlights of her career.
Olivia values La Sainte Union’s unique focus on the individual, where everyone, staff and students, are valued and heard. She joined the school having not gone down the formal qualification route, but has since flourished thanks to various CPD opportunities, including completing the QTS Programme. She became Head of Music in 2006 and took on a role in the Sixth Form in 2014, focusing on widening its enrichment opportunities. Although she initially moved towards pastoral work, her passion for Music drew her back to the faculty, where she has further developed her skills in arranging and composing, evolving as a musician herself.
Olivia believes her journey is far from over. She is passionate about improving the Music exam specifications to drive inclusion and diversity. She aims to be more involved in major decision-making processes with exam boards to modernise and diversify the Music curriculum, making it more approachable and meaningful for today's generation. Olivia's experience at La Sainte Union has fuelled her desire to impact Music education on a larger scale, ensuring it represents the diverse community and world we live in.
Sinora Phillips, Science Teacher
Sinora has been an integral part of our school community for over a decade. Initially joining as maternity cover, she quickly fell in love with La Sainte Union and decided to stay on as a full-time teacher. Sinora's journey into teaching was driven by her desire for a varied and engaging career where she could have fun while sharing her expertise in Science. She finds immense joy in witnessing the "wow" moments when students grasp complex concepts.
Sinora was attracted to La Sainte Union for several reasons: the supportive staff, the beautiful grounds and architecture, the excellent staff benefits, and the calm, supportive learning environment. What keeps her motivated are the students. She loves working with such diverse, inquisitive minds, who often surprise her with their clever, strange and funny remarks. She enjoys the challenge of catering to different learning styles and finds great satisfaction in providing opportunities for students to engage in experiments and investigations.
Sinora appreciates the school's unique environment, particularly its large site, which is used for various outdoor investigations. Whether it's studying aquatic crustacea as pollution indicators in the pond, observing pollinators in the orchard and wildlife meadow, or examining lichen growth on large oak trees and ivy leaves on the walls, Sinora takes full advantage of the school's natural resources to enrich her students' learning experiences.
The highlights of Sinora's time at La Sainte Union has been the incredible school trips, especially the visit to NASA in America. The two-day astronaut training programme was an unforgettable experience, topped off by witnessing the launch of a female leader and astronaut. These experiences have been instrumental in inspiring both Sinora and our students here.
When Sinora first joined the school, she taught up to KS4. Through various CPD opportunities, she has expanded her skills and knowledge and now also teaches KS5. The school’s commitment to professional development has been a significant factor in her growth. Sinora has progressed to become Head of Year 8 and is currently receiving training to advance to the role of Achievement Leader. She is currently pursuing an online genetics course at A Level and aims to become an even better A Level teacher with a specialised subject area. Her dedication to continuous improvement and her passion for Science drive her ambition to further enhance her expertise and contribute even more to her students' success.
