My time at Langdale C of E Primary School was nothing short of transformative, both professionally and personally. I had the privilege of working at Langdale for five years, beginning my journey as a Teaching Assistant and School Cook. Through the unwavering support and encouragement of Headteacher Rachel Underwood, I progressed to become a Senior Teaching Assistant and eventually a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA).

Rachel played a key role in supporting my Continuing Professional Development. With her mentorship, I achieved qualifications in Early Years Education, "Learning Beyond the Classroom," and many others. She went above and beyond, mentoring me through various facets of the education system at my request, from understanding the responsibilities of a subject lead to gaining insight into working with children with SEND, as well as the importance of policies, procedures, and the reasoning behind them.

Rachel’s ethos, that every child deserves a champion regardless of their ability, background, or circumstances, was not just something she said; it was something she lived by and embedded into the heart of the school. It is a philosophy that deeply shaped my own practice and continues to influence me today.

Langdale was also where I discovered a deep passion for outdoor learning. Inspired by the school’s approach and its nurturing environment, I went on to complete a BA (Hons) in Education, choosing to focus my dissertation on outdoor learning, something I fell in love with thanks to the staff and children at Langdale.

On a personal level, Langdale made an enormous difference to my own family. My child joined the school in 2018 and, thanks to the dedicated support of Mrs Underwood, Mrs Turley (the school’s SENDCo), and his class teacher, he was able to access the right support to suit his learning needs. Their guidance helped us navigate his diagnosis of dyslexia and ensured he was equipped with the tools he needed to succeed. Today, he is thriving in secondary school and exceeding all his predicted expectations, an outcome that would not have been possible without the compassion, expertise, and commitment of the Langdale team.

Since leaving my permanent role, I’ve had the pleasure of returning to Langdale on a number of occasions as a supply member of staff during the summer term. I was genuinely touched by the warm welcome I received, not only from the staff but from many of the families as well. It was a reminder of the strong, close-knit community that makes Langdale so special.

I can safely say there is no place quite like Langdale. It didn’t just teach me how to be a better educator, it reminded me why this work matters, and it left an imprint on both my professional journey and my family’s life that I will always cherish.

Mrs Amie Morrison 

Staff Testimony – Langdale C of E Primary School