Leading with clarity, empathy and purpose – Nabila's story

Nabila is a 2012 Teach First Ambassador, Trustee and Regional Executive Principal at Lift Schools. Shaped by her family’s experience of the transformative power of education, she has built a career grounded in the belief that every child deserves access to an excellent education, regardless of their background. Here, Nabila reflects on leadership, legacy and what it truly means to be a Change Maker.

I’ve always understood the importance of education and the opportunities it can create. Both of my parents were displaced from East Africa when they were young. Although much was taken from them materially and financially, education was the one thing that could not be taken away. It became the foundation on which they rebuilt their lives and created opportunities for our family.

Growing up, I was fortunate to benefit from an excellent education. I've seen first-hand the difference it can make and that understanding has stayed with me throughout my life.

Despite that, I never planned to become a teacher. My mum is a professor and, if I'm honest, it wasn't a career path that initially appealed to me. Then, during my final year at university, a friend persuaded me to attend a Teach First session on campus.

I remember sitting there and thinking: this is it. This is what I want to do. Fifteen years later, I still feel exactly the same way.

The role of a trustee

Serving as a trustee has been equally humbling and inspiring. I'm continually struck by the calibre of people around the table and the breadth of expertise they bring. What makes the board particularly powerful is the diversity of thought, experience and perspective.

The most effective trustees are the ones who balance the duality of the role. You have to be provocative, challenging and stretch the thinking. However, you also have to be supportive, a good sounding board and a brilliant advocate. The real value comes from being able to do both.

A love for leadership

A good day in my role is what I call a "no fires" day. With responsibility for 12 schools, those days are somewhat rare.

The days I enjoy most are the ones spent in schools; visiting classrooms, speaking with pupils, working alongside leaders and supporting school improvement. That's where I feel most connected to the purpose of the work.

What I particularly value about my role is the variety. One day I might be collaborating with leaders from across the sector. Another day I might be helping to shape trust wide strategy, coaching principals or working directly with school leaders to improve outcomes for children. No two days are the same and that constant variety keeps the work both challenging and rewarding.

Navigating school challenges

Education has always been complex and the challenges facing schools today feel as significant as ever. We're seeing growing levels of SEND needs within mainstream education alongside persistent attendance challenges, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Alongside this sits a broader challenge facing the sector: how do we attract, develop and retain great teachers and leaders? And how do we ensure the very best outcomes for the children and communities who need them most?

When facing difficult challenges, I often return to three questions. How do we maintain clarity of purpose? How do we help people adapt to changing circumstances? And how do we lead with empathy?

For me, clarity, adaptability and empathy are not optional leadership qualities; they're essential.

Care and commitment

School leaders are extraordinary people. It takes a special kind of person to show up every day and to care so deeply about the communities they serve, often in incredibly challenging circumstances. No matter what happened the day before, they will be standing at the school gates the next morning, welcoming pupils with warmth, optimism and a smile.

That commitment is both inspiring and humbling. Being a school principal remains the greatest privilege of my career.

Making an impact

What continues to motivate me is a simple belief; a child's educational opportunities should never be determined by their family's income or where they happen to grow up. Every child deserves a great education.

Schools are far more than places of learning. They are anchors within communities and lifelines for many children and families. That's why showing up, consistently, matters so much.

For some people, that means teaching in classrooms or leading schools. For others, it means working in HR, finance, estates or operational roles. I often remind colleagues that without their contribution, teachers would be unable to focus on what matters the most for pupils.

The same is true across the wider system. Whether you're working in education technology, policy, leadership development or countless other fields, there are many ways to contribute to improving outcomes for children. The mission belongs to all of us.

Great people doing small things consistently, together creating lasting change.

Individually, our contribution may seem small. But when thousands of people align behind a common purpose and commit to making a difference every day, the collective impact can be extraordinary. That's what the Teach First mission means to me.

Amazing pupils

What makes me smile without fail is the pupils. No matter how challenging the work can be at times, being in schools and spending time with children is a powerful reminder of why we do it. Whether it's seeing pupils share their work or hearing about their ambitions for the future, these moments bring the purpose of our work to life.

When you're with pupils, you can see the impact that education has in a very real and tangible way. You see confidence growing, aspirations taking shape and opportunities opening up. It reminds you that the effort, challenge and responsibility that come with leadership are all worthwhile.

Leadership starts in the classroom

Creating meaningful change starts with believing that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. That's what first drew me to Teach First and it's what continues to inspire me today. Because when enough people commit themselves to that mission, extraordinary things can happen.

Become a Change Maker

Like Nabila, you can work alongside others to tackle educational inequality, creating a lasting impact for the pupils who need it most.

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