Friday Headlines

11 February 2022

The Senior School's Deputy Head Academic Kam Purewal joined EHS at the start of January 2022; she was previously Head of Sixth Form at Leicester High School for Girls. Before that she spent 12 years at Finham Park School, Coventry and four years at Fairfax School, Sutton Coldfield. She teaches Psychology and Sociology.

First impressions

EHS has an impressive reputation of giving girls an excellent holistic education which prepares them for lifelong learning and success. I wanted to be a part of such an amazing place that supports and nurtures students to reach their potential, to become global citizens of the future. My immediate impression of EHS was that of the confident, bright and motivated and determined students; the impressive breadth in curriculum and co curriculum and facilities. I have been very impressed by the supportive and genuine caring nature of the staff, who really do put the students first. 

My inspiration

At university I had decided that with my degree in Psychology I would pursue a graduate role at IBM. I decided to apply for a PGCE at UCL at the last minute and thought this would allow me more time to decide what I wanted to do. However, after teaching my first lesson at a school in London, I realised that this was for me. Planning and teaching lessons, creating resources and sharing the love for my subject really motivated me and inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. That last minute decision in my final year at university set into motion almost 20 years of teaching thousands of Psychology students. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be one of those people who relishes what they do and enjoys their work. 

I always feel that teaching chose me. But if I wasn’t teaching and had my time again I would probably pursue something in computer science. The world is changing and the technological advances mean that anything is possible. I would have wanted to be a part of that. 

Evolution of Teaching

Teaching has changed incredibly over the last 10 years. Technology and the ease of access for students has allowed teaching to evolve. The focus on students and what they are doing, and how they are learning, is something that has changed; students should always work harder than their teacher in a lesson. 

My focus as Deputy Head Academic

I am enjoying working in a forward-thinking school that has the desire to ensure that the current students are ready for the professions that have not yet been discovered. I’m also really enjoying getting to know the students and staff, and hopefully in time, I can make a positive impact. 

I have always been interested in the psychology of learning and therefore my focus in school will be on teaching and learning, and ensuring that as a school we evolve with our students and cater for their needs. My other area of focus as Deputy Head Academic will be student and staff wellbeing. 

Quick fire questions 

Favourite book?
Favourite book is a hard one as I find it changes with how you are feeling. I do have a favourite poem though: ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is a poem by Robert Frost that I always come back to.

Early bird or a night owl?
I’m definitely an early bird.

What are you known for?
For being Cinderella (what my friends call me). Not that I have lost a shoe at a ball but because of all the other things I do out of school in caring for my parents. This includes a lot of Indian cooking!

Most useless skill?
My most useless skill is knowing the lyrics to most songs in three languages. And knowing the year songs were released. I have a thing for dates, I never forget them.