Double Delight for Dame Allan’s as Two Allanians return as Teaching Staff

Allanians Louise Richardson (class of ‘03) and Emily Forrester (class of ‘21) have joined as Head of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and Teacher of Biology respectively.

Emily, who is joining the team after undertaking Biological Sciences and her PGCE at Durham University, will be taking up her first full-time teaching role. She said:

“While studying for my undergraduate degree, I did placements at two schools, as well as tutoring GCSE and A level biology, and both of these experiences confirmed that I wanted to pursue teaching. While at school, I always thought I would like to be a teacher, and even contributed to the academic mentoring scheme by helping a Year 9 student with maths and science whilst in Sixth Form. 

“I really enjoyed my time at Dame Allans, with such fond memories of it being a happy and positive place to learn. I am very excited about returning as a teacher, getting in the classroom and teaching and inspiring the next generation of scientists. I am also looking forward to the various opportunities where I can support the pupils outside the classroom, including school trips.”

Louise, who taught French at Cramlington Learning Village in Northumberland for 11 years, having previously worked as an English teacher in the South of France for six years, is also excited to return to her former school:

“I’m thrilled to be back! I’m most excited to be leading such a strong and diverse department (with three languages on offer from KS3 through to A Level), and I’m really looking forward to providing students with engaging language-learning opportunities and raising the profile of MFL across the school. The MFL teachers I encountered as a student at Dame Allan’s inspired a life-long love of languages in me, and I feel privileged to be shaping the next generation of Dame Allan’s linguists.

“My sister Sarah and I were the third generation of our family to attend Dame Allan’s! Our dad attended the school, as did our grandad and two great aunts. It was a school we both dreamed of attending as children, and we were fortunate to both gain places on scholarships.”

Looking back on their time at Dame Allan’s, Emily and Louise reflected on their favourite memories. For Emily, school trips were a particular highlight:

“The school trips were something I really enjoyed - I learnt how to ski on the ski trip when I was in Year 7 at Les Menuires in 2016 and then went to Alpe d’Huez in 2017 and 2018, and Sestriere in 2020 just before lockdown! I also fondly remember going to London to watch the tennis at Wimbledon in Year 9. The weather was really hot, we enjoyed strawberries and cream and had a rotation for the two centre court tickets!

Louise agreed, with particularly fond memories of a German trip in 1999:

“Some of my fondest memories of Dame Allan’s include participating in the Year 9 German trip to the Black Forest in July 1999 and attending the Carol and Founders’ Day Services at Saint Nicholas’ Cathedral - I’m excited to have the opportunity to go to these again! I also have fond memories of my GCSE and A level English Language teacher, Mr Lewton - he inspired me to study Linguistics as part of my degree at Oxford.”

Unsurprisingly, both women have ended up in fields related to their favourite subjects when they were schoolgirls.

“My favourite subjects at school were French and German (Spanish wasn’t offered at that time, or I would have studied that too!),” said Louise. “ I’m looking forward to working alongside Jon Strong, who taught me GCSE French, although it’s still strange not to refer to him as ‘Mr Strong’!

“As a schoolgirl I was very academically competitive and Dame Allan’s certainly allowed me to thrive in that respect and pushed me to do my absolute best! I was very musical as a child - I played the clarinet in the school orchestra and performed in various concerts both at school and at Saint James’ and Saint Basil’s church. I sang in the school choir and I took part in school productions (such as ‘Grease’ and ‘South Pacific’). I was also involved in co-curricular dance clubs and shows at the People’s Theatre.”

For Emily, the STEM subjects were a favourite during her time at Dame Allan’s. “I was always most interested in science and maths, with biology becoming my favourite subject at GCSE and A Level. I think I would have been described as quite studious at school.” 

Finally, Emily and Louise both praised the changes in the Schools since their respective times there, notably the change to school facilities.

Emily commented: “Although I only left four years ago, I think the biggest change is the new building developments, with the addition of the Jubilee Building and the refurbished Sixth Form building.”

Louise agreed: “The biggest change for me is the upgrade in facilities - particularly the Jubilee Building (where many of the MFL classrooms are) and Queen’s Building for the Sixth Form - when I was in Year 12 we had a portacabin as our common room! I think it’s fantastic that the school has retained so many of its original features, such as Newsom Hall and the quads, while providing pupils with such a modern and well-equipped learning environment.”

Dame Allan’s Principal Mr Scott said: “It is always a particular pleasure to welcome back former pupils as teaching staff at Dame Allan’s, and I think a testament to the strong family feel of Dame Allan’s that former pupils of all eras often return to join our faculty - I am very pleased to welcome Louise and Emily into their roles and know that they will soon feel right at home again!”