On Saturday, 22 June 2024, the University held its annual Alumni Gala Dinner. The event saw over a hundred alumni and their guests invited back to campus to celebrate and thank them for their contributions to CCCU since graduation.

The highlight of the Alumni Gala Dinner is the Alumni Awards ceremony, which saw the highest number of awards given to date. This year’s Outstanding Contribution Award was won by Kara Satterley (PGCE Primary (3-7 Yrs) General, 2004), whose significant efforts have greatly benefited both the student teachers and the Primary Education Team at CCCU for over a decade. She has shown commitment in supporting students inclusively and empathetically, fostering a mentoring culture, and leading online sessions for trainee teachers. She has also engaged in the Educational Research Schools Partnership and has been instrumental in implementing intensive training and practice experiences into courses.

Read on to hear her story.

Tell us about your current role.

I am Deputy Head at Blean Primary School, a two form entry primary on the edge of Canterbury. I lead on curriculum, mentoring, and coaching in school as well as being a safeguarding lead and the senior mental health lead. I have been at Blean since September 2021 and was previously the deputy head of another local school.

What made you want to pursue a career in education?

Without sounding cliché, it was to support, educate and nurture pupils to be the best that they can be.  From work experience in a primary school at the age of 15 and summer jobs in a local nursery, I knew it was what I ultimately wanted to do in life. 

What is your favourite thing about what you do?

My favourite thing to do in my career now is to support and guide teachers and those training to teach through coaching and/or mentoring. Also curriculum design – looking at ways to improve our curriculum by making it real, authentic and purposeful.

If anyone reading is thinking of working in your field, what advice would you give them?

It is the most rewarding career with so many options for branching into fields within education that may spark an interest.  It is a privilege to be part of a child’s life journey and share many moments with them and their families, and it is also so rewarding watching staff grow and develop from their early career stages to later in their careers. 

How did you come to study at CCCU when you did? Why PGCE Primary (3-7 Yrs) General?

I studied Geography at Chichester University, with the aim of coming home to complete a PGCE in Primary Education.  I chose the 3-7 pathway as I had worked in nursery education and EYFS/KS1 was where I wanted my career to begin. 

What is your fondest memory of your time at CCCU?

Meeting and making friends for life; the fast pace of the PGCE year (I like to keep busy!) plus the impact the link tutors had on me – I knew that I wanted to become a mentor in school as soon as possible as the support and guidance I received in my training year was so beneficial to me. 

How did your time at university impact on your life and career post-education?

As mentioned, after my NQT year, I was keen to nurture and develop student teachers in my classroom. I became a mentor in my 3^rd year of teaching and never looked back – I have been mentoring student teachers since 2007 and this helped with the skills to become a Key stage lead in 2009 and climbing the leadership ladder to become a deputy head in 2015 after a year of being acting head of school prior to that.

What does being a CCCU Alum mean to you?

Being part of the CCCU alumni community is so special. Being able to give back to CCCU, form strong relationships between school and the University, plus working alongside so many talented experts in their field is so rewarding. Forging and maintaining these relationships not only supports me, but supports our staff and pupils in so many ways.

What are your goals for the future?

My future goals are to remain in primary school leadership and continue to maintain our strong link with the university – supporting trainee teachers, working with the education research team and guest lecturing when and if it is requested. As a leadership team in school, my aim is to continue building our Blean Primary School curriculum that is unique and prepares pupils for the ever-changing world with real experiences and authentic learning at its heart.