Running a primary at 27
SIOBHAN Meredith, 29, became headmistress of Marine Academy primary school in 2015, at the age of just 27.
The school is in a deprived area of Plymouth, and is judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Most classes are taught by new teachers – some as young as 26 – while the youngest teaching assistants have been 18.
Mrs Meredith, who was brought up by her grandparents, knew she wanted to be a teacher at the age of 14.
She volunteered at local primaries before studying at the University of St Mark and St John in Plymouth. Her first teaching job was at Ernesettle Community School, where she worked for three years before joining Looe Primary as assistant head.
She joined Marine Academy in 2013, when it opened, as assistant head before being appointed headmistress in April 2015.
She said: ‘I started as a teacher, then a middle leader, then assistant head, then effectively a deputy head before becoming head so I feel like I’ve done leadership at every level. I’ve learned behaviour skills and strategies.’