Name: Siobhan Williams
What dates did you study at Prior Pursglove College?: 2001 – 2003
Subjects studied: Art and Design (Graphics), Media Studies, English Literature and Psychology
Secondary School: Gillbrook Technology College, Normanby
Memories of Prior: My enduring memories of my time at Prior stem from the friendships I made at the college. The new people I was introduced to and the friends who joined me from secondary school who formed my time at the college. We would spend most of our free time in the art room or lunch hall.
I have fun memories of the art room, which is where I met my best friend (who became my witness at my wedding), it was a great space to be in and it was always full of energy and creativity. I still have an etching plate I made during a printmaking module!
Media studies was a new subject for me after GCSEs, and I still remember the fun we had making a promo for a horror film in and learning about Film Noir.
I do still remember some of the advice, projects and feedback I got from Rachel in Media Studies and Johnathon in Art. Some of which I talk to my students about when I am teaching!
Current Profession: Teacher of Art and Head of Key Stage 4
About the journey: After Prior I went on to Teesside University and continued to study the subjects I was most passionate about at A Level. I completed my degree and was then at a little bit of a loss as to what career I wanted to pursue. I was encouraged, by an advert, into teaching and did a PGCE at Sunderland.
I spent 3 years teaching locally but after some persuasion from a friend on my PGCE course I took a risk and applied for a teaching position abroad.
I left the UK and moved with my family to Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2013 to teach Art in a British International School and spent five amazing years there.
I am currently in my 6th academic year at the British School of Bucharest in Romania with plans to move to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the start of the next academic year where I will be taking on the role of Head of Primary Art at Garden International School.
Teaching internationally has been life changing, I have been able to travel and have many amazing experiences and opportunities. My Instagram feed is thriving”