Headteacher shares transformative Journey in Professional Practice
Reena Patel, Headteacher of Kitchener School in Cardiff, drives innovation and leadership in the education sector, exemplifying the power of experiential learning in instigating meaningful change. As we mark the Learning at Work week, May 13-19, UWTSD celebrates Reena’s pioneering work on the impact of Professional Learning in Primary School teaching demonstrating her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
Having completed an MA in Professional Practice, Reena’s journey has been marked by a dedication to enhancing teaching standards and promoting a culture of collaboration and growth within her institution. As part of her studies, Reena documented her transformative journey, highlighting her strategic approach to change management and her role in developing a culture of continuous improvement.
Reena said: “By reflecting on my professional practice, I have identified how I have developed my ability to improve teaching standards and manage change through demonstrating effective leadership skills. Recognising my achievements and the learning I have acquired along the way has most certainly helped me progress to my current Headteacher role. I wanted to ensure I was still learning and gaining new skills to best impact on all children within school.”
Central to Reena’s journey was her experiential learning, which contributed two-thirds of the credits towards her MA in Professional Practice. By reflecting on her role and identifying how she has developed as a senior leader whilst working, Reena was able to identify a range of evidence to support her claim. This recognition of her extensive professional experience enabled Reena to make a significant impact on teaching and learning practices in primary schools across South Wales.
Reena’s experiential learning focussed on Change Management from the perspective of maximising teacher performance and professional learning which highlighted Reena’s strategic approach to enhancing teaching standards and pupil progress. Through critical analysis and evaluation, Reena identified opportunities for growth and innovation, laying the groundwork for transformative change within her institution. By producing compelling evidence of sustained collaboration and practical expertise, Reena demonstrated her ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within her school and beyond.
She added: “Self-reflection is something that we do throughout our teacher training and all of a sudden leave it at the school gate once qualifying. It is the most important area of learning for a teacher and through reflection, teachers can look clearly at their successes and struggles to consider options for change that greatly impact on a child’s learning; it is an integral step to improving practice.”
Sarah Loxdale, lead on the Recognition and Accreditation of Learning module said:
“Reena’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of experiential learning in driving positive change in education. Her commitment to innovation and collaboration serves as an inspiration to educators everywhere.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476