Leading change through compassion, clarity and high expectations

Growing up, I loved to read. We couldn’t afford books (which is probably why I have an abundance of them now) but the local library fed my appetite for literacy and to this day I still enjoy reading books by worldwide authors. My dad would encourage me to write when I was younger – he’d tell me to record our day trips, and I would take pride in using my words to evoke reactions in people – I wasn’t much of a talker.

At high school, teachers often praised my writing and, looking back now, I realise the importance of supporting young people in the things they’re passionate about.

I was never encouraged to think about writing as a career, and it was a long time before I found the confidence to share my work.

Initially, I worked as a beauty therapist but I had a burning desire to go to university – something I’d never considered before. I was accepted to study English at Manchester Metropolitan University.

By then I was a mature student and completely out of my comfort zone – but university really was an awakening. I studied African Literature alongside British and American writing. I learnt my own history through books and I met a truly inspiring lecturer, writer Jackie Roy, who continues to be a support, a cheerleader and friend to this day – 26 years after my graduation.

Jackie taught me that a good educator does far more than just teach, they care.

After graduating, I won a scholarship to study journalism at UCLAN via the Scott Trust. I worked in journalism and communications for a number of years – my last post was as Communications Manager. But I didn’t feel that I was making the difference I wanted to – until I came across Teach First.

My journey into teaching

In Teach First, I found not just a pathway to teaching.

It was a vocation that would enable me to bring my creativity, flair and caring nature to provide that encouragement to pupils that I missed out on in my youth.

By this time, I was married with two young children and worried that I wouldn’t be able to fulfil all the obligations of the summer programme. Teach First went the extra mile (and then some!). My children accompanied me to the Summer Institute. I recall cycling through campus at Warwick to take my daughter, Tabitha, to the nursery on‑site and at Leeds, both Trey and Tabitha attended a holiday club in the day – residing in family accommodation with me at night.

Best of all though was the school I was sent to teach at for two years. St John Fisher & Thomas More is a small Catholic school offering the kind of supportive, nurturing environment I believe every child should have. There were three things that shaped my time there: taking children to the amphitheatre in the outdoor grounds to ‘perform’ their writing, accompanying the year six pupils on their three‑day trip to Ghyll Head in the Lake District, and a dislike of any writing programme that produced performative writers.

I left St John Fisher after two years. I wanted to find a route to teaching literacy that would engage children in the same way I was engaged as a little girl, when writing about our days spent outdoors.

Why I chose forest school

It was during lockdown when I delivered free creative writing lessons online and received some encouraging feedback from a teacher‑mum which made ‘the route’ become abundantly clear. So, I applied for Arts Council Funding to deliver creative writing workshops in a small, city‑based theatre.

Experiences of making the most of the outdoors during the pandemic taught me that nature was not only a spiritual healer but also a huge inspiration for creativity. A desire to deepen connections with nature led me to Forest School Training and the inception of Rock Paper Write CIC in 2023.

I’ve had some fantastic experiences – leading urban forest schools in woodlands and local parks and taking inner‑city children to the Lake District.

I want to take those experiences and research how we can use creative writing within forest schools as a method to connect children to nature and places in Manchester and encourage pro‑environmentalism.

The change I’m working towards

So, the next part of my journey has led me to the University of Salford where I’m enrolled as a PhD student. I’m excited by the possibilities and where this research could lead me to.

My life has been shaped not simply by being a woman, but by being a Black woman. In the green skills sector, Black women remain underrepresented, and this has impacted upon my experiences and my commitment.

I have consistently championed children who are underserved and marginalised, and I refuse to let systemic barriers define or limit my work.

I am not here to conform to stereotypes, fill prescribed roles, or meet expectations that do not align with my values or approach. I see Teach First as trailblazers.

How I’m making change happen

Teach First offered me the flexibility to train as a teacher while respecting my responsibilities as a mother – something that should be standard practice. This support allowed me to thrive, knowing that my contributions were genuinely valued.

When women are supported in this way, they not only reach their full potential, they soar.

It's important to me to be part of a group that aligns with my goals, where I can find support, encouragement, knowledge and even familiar stories and experiences. The Women's Leadership Network offers this and I'm happy moving forward with an organisation that gave me such encouragement and incentive at the start of my journey.

My advice to women who want to be changemakers in leadership is to trust your instincts, act boldly and be willing to create new paths rather than stepping into moulds that were never designed for you.

Looking ahead

I see the next stage of my journey as one that continues to combine creativity, nature, research and community. All of these strands have shaped me – and all of them will continue to shape the way I lead, the spaces I create and the children I champion.

Train to teach and become a change maker

Your leadership journey can start right here. Train with us, develop your voice and begin shaping the kind of change that transforms pupils’ lives.

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And, if Abigail’s story resonates with you, you can connect with other women transforming schools by applying to join the Women’s Leadership Network.