Meet Mrs Lucy Turton, Teacher of English and Junior Girls’ Games
Where do you hail from and where did you train?
I grew up in Suffolk, and studied English and Education (BA Hons) at the University of Brighton. I completed my PGCE at the University of Sussex.
Tell us all about your career experience.
For the nine years before joining Sompting Abbotts, I taught English and Drama at Lewes Old Grammar School. I always wanted to become a teacher, so I also volunteered in primary schools and special schools in my teens and early twenties. I worked with children’s summer holiday camps and forest schools and also as assistant teacher at a contemporary dance company for dancers with special needs.
What convinced you to become a teacher?
That’s easy. I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I was always getting in trouble as a child for sneaking out of bed to set up my ‘classroom’ for my teddies! I’ve always had a big imagination, and this goes hand-in-hand with a love for reading and writing stories, and devising drama.
Why have you chosen to work in the independent sector now?
I hadn’t initially ‘planned’ to teach in the independent sector. Originally, my intention was to teach in special schools and I even learned British Sign Language to aid this pursuit. However, when it came to apply for a teaching course, I realised that teaching English and Drama would be a better fit for me, and I have been teaching in the independent sector since qualifying in 2012.
What appealed to you about working at Sompting Abbotts given the point of your professional career at which you find yourself right now?
Since having young children of my own, I’ve felt that I would enjoy teaching younger pupils. I think that the time spent teaching my children at home during the Covid-19 pandemic gave me the impetus to pursue this move from secondary school to prep school.
I really craved the imagination and creativity that cramming for GCSEs does not always allow time for. I wanted to be able to really get to know a class of children for who they are, and design their lessons just for them – not for an exam board.
Tell us something we don't know about you or that might surprise us!
I used to train in aerial acrobatics! I’d love to get back into it now that my children are starting school. I’ve also sung on stage with a number of pop stars that none of our pupils will ever have heard of! (Cliff Richard, Gabrielle and Boney M, anyone?)
Following our earlier announcement in July of the shortlisted entries for the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 awards, we're delighted Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been selected as a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year for Environmental Achievement category.