Page 10 - Athelstan Argus - July 2021

SPECIAL VISIT FROM A FORMER STUDENT

Being part of a school community is very much
at the heart of The Dean Academy, so when

former student, Molly Bretnall, contacted the
school they were delighted to welcome her
back, not as a pupil, but as a teacher at a local
school. Molly now teaches at the Heart of the

Forest Community Special School and brought
her class along with her for a special Science
lesson, learning about the Water Cycle in the
labs with her former tutor Mr Child.

Molly studied at The Dean Academy from 2009 to 2014, and said “I was in Mr Child’s tutor
group, the teachers were always incredibly supportive and always encouraged me to be the
best that I could be.”

Molly discovered a passion for teaching when she
tutored Year 7 and 8 students whilst studying for

her A-Levels: “I was encouraged to apply for a
place at a top university, Durham, to study
Primary Education, and was offered a place
based on my interview. I believe that the
confidence I displayed in my interview was due to
my time at The Dean Academy.”

Molly explained “I was very nervous about going
to university as I have Type 1 diabetes, but with
the help of my assistance dog, Merlin, who was by my side the whole time, I not only had a

great time but also graduated with an upper second-class degree with honours specialising in
English. My dissertation explored the national curriculum and whether it disadvantaged children
with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.”

After graduating, Molly moved back to the Forest and secured a job in a local primary school,
where she taught her NQT year before securing
her dream job teaching children with additional

needs at Heart of the Forest Community Special
School, where many of her pupils have Autistic
Spectrum Disorder. Molly said “I teach a
Pathway 3 class, which means I teach in a semi-

formal way with the aim of pupils becoming
formal learners as they get older; and of course
Merlin comes with me to work every day!”