We are delighted to welcome Mrs Kamelia Johnson to the BGS community who started her role as the Designated Safeguarding Lead at BGS during the end of the summer break.
As a committed member of the Senior Leadership Team, Mrs Johnson will work alongside the pastoral teams across the school. Mrs Johnson joins us from The Anthem Trust, where she held the position of the lead professional responsible for all safeguarding and child protection matters.
The Edit sat down with Mrs Johnson to find out a bit more about her background.
Can you tell us a bit about your professional and teaching background?
I have worked in the Education sector for a number of years, with the past 15 years being in the area of Pastoral Care, Mental Health and Safeguarding working closely with children, young people and their families. My experience has included working in Primary and Secondary schools across the state and independent sectors; taking an operational and strategic lead on safeguarding.
Before joining Bedford Girls School I was employed as a Safeguarding Manager for a Trust of 16 schools. The role was both challenging and demanding but helped me to gain a breadth of knowledge specifically in the area of Leadership and Management and as a result inspired me to undertake a Msc in Education Leadership and Management.
Alongside my position as BGS Designated Safeguarding Lead I support other Designated Safeguarding Leads, providing them with one to one safeguarding supervision and deliver safeguarding and child protection training to other organisations supporting children and young people.
What was your favourite subject at School and why?
I have always been intrigued by the complexities of our society and how social, political and economic issues shape society, which was a regular discussion at the dinner table in my household as a young adult, so when reflecting on what was my favourite subject at school it came as no surprise that it was Sociology.
What attracted you to the role at BGS?
After making a professional decision to return to working more closely with children, young people and their families I began searching for new roles and opportunities. I saw the advertised position of Designated Safeguarding Lead at BGS and after much research I was drawn to BGS's vision of being Bold, Imaginative and Reflective and strongly believed that with my shared vision that I could make a real impact and difference at the school.
How have your first couple of weeks been at BGS?
BGS is a great school community. I am only at the beginning of my journey here but already feel at home. Everyone including the students have given me such a warm welcome and helped me to settle into life here.
What are you looking forward to about working at BGS?
I am looking forward to supporting my colleagues and the students and making a positive impact on their lives. I am also keen to develop new and innovative strategies to support pastoral care and safeguarding.
Finally, if you could recommend one book, what would it be and why?
I would recommend a book titled How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It’s a great book on how to turn your relationships around and improve your interactions with everyone in your life, which I believe is a key component to life personally and professionally. It’s a great read for both adults and students.
