Amy Atkinson-Ward

I have 20 years’ experience of working in Education, in various capacities and with a range of age groups.

After leaving Newnham College, where I met my lovely Economist husband, Kris (Queens’ College, 1996), I completed my P.G.C.E at King’s College, London in German with French. In my first year as a teacher I was made Head of German at a large, boys’ comprehensive school in the London Borough of Croydon. A year later, I took over the role of Head of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages. During this time I taught French and German from Key Stage 3 to A’ Level, sat on an assessment working party and visited primary schools to ensure smooth transition of children from Key stage 2 to 3 from our feeder schools.

After a number of years, I took some time away from full-time teaching to care for my mother, father and my young sons. During this time I completed my T.E.F.L diploma and trained as a post-natal and baby yoga teacher. I also completed my M.A in Modern Foreign Languages Education at King’s College, London. My areas of focus were gender and education, social justice and language and power. Shortly after this I became a children’s rugby coach.

Upon finishing my M.A, I began my PhD at King’s College, London. I have completed three case studies, researching in schools in Lewisham, Croydon and Wandsworth. My areas of interest are psycho-social linguistics and Modern Foreign Language teaching, and I am interested in teacher beliefs and power in the classroom. I am examining institutional constraints and policy enactment, and the impact of these upon perceptions of agency. I am currently living in London with my husband and our two lovely boys. I am writing up my second case study for my PhD.

I am Vice Chair of the Junior section of a rugby club in South London, at which I am also Under 13’s Head Coach and Surrey Rugby Liaison Officer.

The themes which run through all the various roles and interests in my life, are mentoring, education and coaching, across all ages and in various contexts. I am always happy to have a chat with anyone considering careers in Education or mentoring and coaching or about returning to academic study after having had a professional career.