This month we spoke to Lindsay Clark, Headteacher Designate, and Tracy Hopkins, EYFS lead, who have both started their Transform Trust journey in 2023. We asked about their motivations and their hopes for the year ahead.

 

What is your “why”, what motivates you?

 

Both Tracy and Lindsay agreed that giving children the best start in life and making a positive difference is their ‘why’. Tracy is passionate about making Early Years stand out as she wants the world to know that this early stage in children’s lives is the most important. She recognises the huge responsibility involved in shaping our youngest children’s future. Lindsay is particularly motivated by ensuring social mobility for our most disadvantaged children. Lindsay also highlighted the fact that it only takes one adult to completely change the direction of a child’s life.

 

Describe your background and what led you to taking on this new role?

 

Lindsay grew up in Glasgow in social disadvantage and passionately believes that education changed her life. This drove her to ensure that children have the very best opportunities so that they meet their full potential socially, emotionally and academically. Similarly, Tracy grew up in an area of disadvantage and worked closely and collaboratively with vulnerable families in Early Years for over 23 years in a broad range of roles. She also worked within a Nottingham City school and led the Early Years team to an Outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2018. When she saw the vacancy at Transform she was delighted that the Trust was giving Early Years such high regard and jumped straight into this new opportunity.

Your goal/vision/hope for 2023 and what you might like to achieve this year?

 

Tracy’s vision is that children in the Early Years are empowered to be what ever they want to be. Instead of asking children ‘What do you want to be when you are older?’ she always asks ‘What problems do you want to solve when you are older?’ this changes the mindset that they are not ‘working’ or conforming to a ‘role’ but they are becoming empowered to change the world. Her goal for 2023 is to develop her role in the Transform family and work within the schools to develop Early Years provision.

Lindsay would like to ensure that all of Transform schools are ‘Good’ or better for Personal Development. She is also aiming have a positive impact on the School Improvement journey of some of our schools by supporting Headteachers in empowering all members of their team – ‘Everyone a Leader’.

 

Do you have some interesting facts about you? What you like to do outside of your job role?

 

Lindsay is an avid fan of going to the gym and loves to keep active. She also represented Scotland in both hockey and football in her younger years.
Tracy has two girls, one is a footballer and the other is a musician, and she is married to her childhood sweetheart. She enjoys all aspects of family life, even the freezing nights at football training! She also has a passion for baking, and has applied to go on The Great British Bake Off many times to no avail. Finally, Tracy loves all things car racing and it is her dream to see more formula 1 races across the world.

 

We are so excited to welcome these two experts into our team and hope that everyone has a fantastic year ahead of them as we continue to make a positive difference to children and families.