In 2024, after twenty years as a primary teacher and nearly a decade as a SENDCO, I made the difficult decision to step away from the classroom. Teaching has always been a passion – and something I still deeply love – but life had shifted. The passing of my lovely mam and the growing needs of my two young children were major factors in choosing a new path. I knew I needed to make space for my family and for something different – a role that would still be meaningful and fulfilling.
History has always had a hold on me. As a child of the ’80s, my Sunday evenings were spent watching Antiques Roadshow and Time Team with my family – guessing the value of antiques and waiting to see if Tony and Mick uncovered something remarkable. These were simple moments, but they sparked something. At school, history was always my favourite subject. I carried that love into A-level studies and later chose it as my main subject while completing my teaching degree.
Looking back, I realise what drew me in: people. I’ve always been fascinated by how people lived, the stories they left behind, and the tiny details that make history human. So, when the opportunity arose to help develop an outreach programme with AB Heritage, it felt like a perfect way to bring everything full circle.
And so, AB Heritage Explorers was born – a programme of hands-on archaeology workshops for young people. It allows me to stay connected to education and history while giving me the flexibility to spend more time with my family. In this role, I have the privilege of blending my experience as a teacher with the expertise of professional archaeologists and heritage consultants to deliver inspiring and highly engaging sessions in schools.
Since launching, we’ve worked with over 1,000 children across a variety of schools – and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At a time when we’re hearing so much about the rise in SEND needs, a system in crisis, teacher burnout, and children’s mental health challenges, I’ve seen something different. In every single session, I’ve witnessed full engagement. No disruption. No behaviour issues.
Why? Not because I’m some kind of miracle worker – our teachers and schools are doing incredible work every day – but because of the nature of the AB Heritage Explorers sessions. Children spend an hour in what is essentially structured play: handling artefacts, excavating simulated dig-pits, getting their hands dirty, and asking big questions. They’re curious. They’re animated. They’re involved.
So, what does that tell us? Is the curriculum as it stands too rigid and demanding for many children – SEND or otherwise? Does it leave enough room for curiosity and hands-on learning – something so many children clearly thrive on?
I believe education should ignite curiosity. It should make space for exploration, creativity, and play. And that’s what I hope to keep bringing into classrooms through AB Heritage Explorers. I look forward to building on this success and inspiring even more young minds in the years to come.
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