Ms Biggins

Role at MBS Sixth Form: Teacher of Science & Psychology and Head of Sixth Form

Since: September 2017

What inspired you to go into teaching?

I always said I would NEVER be a teacher. I come from a family of teachers and I was determined I would do something different. But deep down, I knew it was a career that would suit me. I have always been involved in youth groups and working with young people of a variety of ages and I knew I enjoyed it. I think the turning point was when I was at university. I did an education module as part of my psychology degree and in this I learned a lot about pedagogy (the method behind teaching) and was given an opportunity to take what I learned into a classroom setting, teaching some psychology sessions to primary school children. This was when I realised how sophisticated education is; research is constantly developing about how best pupils learn and teaching methods are constantly evolving. It is definitely a job that keeps us on our toes!

What attracted you to work at MBS Sixth Form?

I was interested in a challenge. Previously I had worked in mixed schools in South Wales, an entirely different experience! I was also attracted to the fact that it was a new school, I liked the idea that I might be part of its formative years.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The diversity - we are never bored!

What achievement are you most proud of?

I think I am most proud of my academic achievements, not the grades per se, but the resilience required to obtain them. At A-Level, I was juggling a lot of subjects with many extracurricular activities and I managed my time effectively to be able to keep up with it all. At university there were times when I felt it was too much to keep going, particularly because I moved from doing sciences at A-Level to an essay-based subject for my degree and the skills were entirely different. It required a lot of additional work for me to get my essay writing up to scratch but I am proud of myself for powering through.

Why should a student choose Psychology at A Level?

Psychology helps you to understand people, it gives you a greater understanding of human behaviour and how/why we behave in the way you do. It makes you a lot more empathetic, a great quality to have.

What book or film inspired you the most in your subject?

‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ by Mark Haddon. I read this when I was in sixth form and it is what inspired me to choose Psychology as a degree. I didn't actually take the subject at A-Level. I was struck by how different the same world can look to different people depending on how they process information and how this can then go on to influence behaviour.

What words of wisdom would you give your 17-year-old self?

Believe in yourself and put yourself out there. There is nothing worse than regretting what you didn't do.

Find out more about our courses here