1) What's something about you that most people at Lady Barn might not know but would find interesting or surprising?

Lots of people know I am quite musical and to this day enjoy playing my flute! I have even managed to persuade my 3 boys (also flautists) to play flute quartets with me on occasions! I also play the recorder and achieved Grade 7 violin when I was in secondary school. What people probably don’t know is that I was a singer in a band at secondary school and we performed several live gigs in local community centres. My other musical claim to fame is starring in the local pantomime when I was about 8 years old! It was at ‘The  Rex’ in Wilmslow, when it was also a huge theatre; I was one of the singers/dancers in the Christmas pantomime, ‘Puss in Boots’. I absolutely loved it!

2) Can you share a favourite memory or a funny moment that stands out to you?

I have a vivid memory of my time at Lady Barn as a pupil, which is funny to look back on now but probably wasn’t at the time. I was a member of the school choir and on our last ever day, at the end of term in Prep 6, we were performing a beautiful song called, ‘Lovely Moon’. I recall starting singing but quickly becoming overwhelmed with sadness at that being my last ever day at LBHS, and I started to cry. As all my friends around me on the stage saw me tearing up, they also started to cry and before we had even reached the first chorus, we were all just stood on the stage sobbing! Our music teacher at the time carried on playing the piano but all you could hear was us crying and sniffling! Looking back now I bet it sounded hilarious!

Another very funny memory is when I came for my interview to come back to Lady Barn as a teacher. I was dressed very smartly in my suit and I had bought my enormous teaching file with me to share with the interview panel. I remember it was a very windy day and as I climbed out of my little old Ford Fiesta, the wind caught the door and slammed it shut, with the lock down and the keys still in the ignition! I was mortified! I had to start my interview by asking Mr Bonner, who was the Head at the time, if one of the caretakers could possibly break into my car for me! I am still amazed to this day that they offered me the job!

3) Do you have any quirky or unique decorations or traditions that make your workspace special?

I have a few special ornaments on my desk, which make me smile every day. One is a big glass paperweight, shaped like a diamond, which my best friend gave to me when I became Deputy Head. It is engraved with the words, “Mrs E Beer, Deputy Head, Loves her job, Works hard, Makes us happy”. I also have a stone painted to look like a ladybird, which sits on my drawer unit. It is something I painted as a child and, having kept it for years, I started to use it when I became a teacher! It was our Listening Ladybird, and helped my nursery children learn to take turns to speak - whoever was holding the ladybird was allowed to talk and we’d pass it round the circle! I have a little potted succulent plant, which Ms Higson kindly gave me as an Easter gift and I also have a tiny Polaroid photograph of me and Mr Slade dressed up in the Prep 6 Christmas Photo Booth! 

4) Can you tell us about a special talent or hobby you have outside of your role at Lady Barn that brings you joy?

I love to crochet! I have crocheted several things over the past few years, including 22 little eggs for my Prep 3 class one Easter, a headband to keep my ears warm on frosty mornings when I’m watching my son, Ellis, play football and I also made a blanket for Miss Bradford’s little boy, Hugo, when he was born! I have also made beanie hats for my boys and a crocheted giraffe for my little nephew, Isaac. I’m just embarking on my latest project, which is a bunny rabbit for my new niece or nephew, who is due to be born in June, so luckily that gives me plenty of time to make it!