Meet our leaders: Hannah Fahey

What brought you to St Mark’s?

I grew up in Merton, the same London borough as St Mark’s, but on the other side of the borough near Wimbledon. I did my degree in Sociology at the University of Southampton, followed by a PGCE in Religious Education. After my studies, I went travelling for a few months in South America and Asia, but when I came back, my Dad said, “You’d better get a job.” There was a maternity leave cover position going at St Mark’s, so he dropped me off for my first day!

A few months down the line a permanent position came up at St Mark’s. I applied for this and attended another interview at an Outstanding school in Sutton the next day.  Having been offered both roles, I was faced with a difficult decision. Should I take on the huge challenge of working in a school that had been given Notice to Improve? Or go for the easy option an a local Outstanding school?

A colleague once said to me, St Mark’s chooses you, you don’t choose St Mark’s. I suppose, that day, I was chosen to begin my journey of transformation... and the rest is history!

What was your first impression?

I remember it was totally chaotic, there were children everywhere except lessons. There were no consistent systems for behaviour or teaching and learning. But there was just something about it and I loved the students so much because they deserved so much more through education. I remember my first lesson, it was about abortion, and they were just silent, they were mesmerised.

Looking back, I think I knew then that I was being guided to work at St Mark’s. It’s been an incredible mission for me to make sure that these children get the same deal as those in the more privileged west part of the borough where I grew up.

We can now say that our school outperforms the majority of independent schools, with 92% of Year 13 students attaining an A*-C grade at A Level and 68% attaining an A*-B grade.

St Mark’s has gone from strength to strength under your leadership. What was your vision for the school?

I wanted to build a community where everyone - staff as well as students - could thrive. A community that is fully inclusive but also distinctively Christian.

I worked with our Chaplain at the time, Rev Wignall, to make sure we fostered an environment where everyone can develop their God-given talents and transform into what God made them to be. We based a lot of our behaviours around chapter 12 of the Book of Romans, which talks, for example, about being devoted to each other, being joyful and living in harmony.

We never stop talking about the vision of the school; that vision and our values of Love, Hope and Trust are firmly rooted in all that we do here.  

What’s the most rewarding part of being a teacher and leader at St Mark’s?

There’s no feeling like it when you’ve taught a lesson that is fully inclusive and exceptionally well-planned. It’s a great feeling when you know that the children have got something out of it, like that very first lesson on abortion. So, one of the most rewarding parts comes from being able to shape the vision and climate for every classroom and support teachers to be exceptional practitioners for the sake of student outcomes and wellbeing.

One of the most rewarding roles I’ve had here is Vice Principal in charge of Sixth Form. In that position, I really got to see the fruits of what we’ve been doing since Year 7. To be able to write on a student’s UCAS form 'first in their family to go to university' when you have nurtured that young person since they were 11 years old is a tremendous privilege.

As Headteacher, I have taken great comfort and joy in being able to transform my leadership team into being the best versions of themselves at work both individually and collectively. We coach and challenge one another and never stop finding ways to play an infinite game of transformation at St Mark's.

What impact has St Mark’s had on you as a person? 

This school has changed my political views and my whole world view. It has made me realise that I have a strong sense of justice and morality. My time here has also shaped me into a big believer in values-based education.

My years at St Mark’s have helped me to appreciate that our job as educators is to try and help other people to live life in all its fullness. I think it’s crucial that we help our students to try to leave the world in a better place than they found it.

It has been an absolute privilege to see St Mark’s go from strength to strength and to play my part in its transformation.