Ros self-belief is a fine lesson
I’M really looking forward to new Beeb drama Apple Tree Yard tonight. It’s a psychological thriller about Dr Yvonne Carmichael, a top scientist with a seemingly perfect family life who embarks on a passionate affair with a man she barely knows. But the sex scenes have really unsettled some previewers because – gasp! – the lead character played by the wonderful Emily Watson, is MIDDLE AGED! A woman in her 50s enjoying passionate, illicit sex? Surely not? So shocking is this fact that reviewers ROSALIND Brotherton is a class act.
When her marriage broke down 19 years ago she had to go out to work to support her three young sonsty ghjbmnl. ,mn,.nbm,m fcdx and found a job as primary school dinner lady.
While dishing up meat pie and cabbage she got to know and care for the young pupils at Swan Lane primary s c hool in Evesham, Worcs.
But while she loved the job, it also made her feel she had more to give... that she could make a difference to children’s lives.
So, while juggling job and family, she studied for an Open University history degree, graduating in 2005, then gained her Post- Graduate Certificate of Education. After a spell back at Swan Lane doing her teaching practice, she began to rise through the teaching ranks. Rosalind, 49, said this week: “When I started the j ourney I was never career-minded but I was working in school and wanted to be able to affect change. The higher I went, the more I felt I could make things better for children, sort things out or influence more.”
Well, now she really can because she has been appointed head teacher at Flyford Flavell First School in Worcester.
It’s a truly heartwarming story of determination, self-belief and a service to others.
Rosalind came from a one- parent family, didn’t have a good education and left school at 16 with a handful of CSEs.
And because she didn’t enjoy school herself, she wants to ensure her pupils really love learning. She says: “As a dinner lady you can form strong relationships. Working with children inspired me to become a teacher.”
Rosalind is now the one inspiring others. Because her desire to serve, first as a dinner lady then as a teacher, proves everyone can help themselves to seconds.
And that asking for more isn’t greedy – just fulfilling.