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Teacher Profile - Mrs Lloyd
Name: Mrs Lloyd
Role: Assistant Headteacher
Subject: Fashion and Textiles and Design and Technology
Favourite Book: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. The book is set in the 19th century and starts with a picture of a rural idyll in the south of England but this life ends when the heroine’s family has to move to the grim north and to a mill town at the heart of the industrial revolution. The hero, a Mr Darcy-style character is a mill owner. The animosity between these two characters lasts for quite some time and it is very reminiscent of Pride and Predujuce. The detail of life within this period is very well described and I particularly enjoyed the visit to the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the wearing of the ‘must have’ accessory of the time, the Paisley shawl. I will not reveal the ending in case you wish to read this English literature classic!
Favourite Film: Cabaret was my first grown up film and I went to see it with my mum. I was completely blown away by the music, the 1930s style, the routines and the gripping plot with the sinister rising of Nazism and the Hitler Youth. The film had quite an emotional effect on me and has stayed my favourite film ever since.
Hobbies: Coming from a long line of Scottish handknitters, I knit. I also enjoy needlepoint and other textile projects and designing and making clothes when I get some time, which unfortunately is quite rare. I also enjoy painting and sketching, particularly when on holiday!
Favourite Food: All things Italian, most pasta dishes, Veal Milanese. I am also very fond of a posh picnic and I do love a good roast and in particular the traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings! I have ordered my turkey!
Favourite Holiday destination: This is a hard one but holiday destinations that have left an impression include the Orkney Islands, the Norwegian fjords and the island of Bermuda but my number one destination is Venice and my most memorable visit was arriving in Venice on the Orient Express – amazing memories!
If you had not become a teacher what job would you like to do? I was in the fashion and textile industry before becoming a teacher, working for large manufacturers as a Design and Promotions Manager and then running my own company, specialising in designing and producing luxury knitwear, so I would have remained in the design world.
What is the most challenging thing you have achieved? My career began while I was still at Art College with winning the Leverhulme Industrial Design Award in my final year. The final round of the competition involved me going to the Design Council and presenting to the top industrial designers and businessmen at that time. Winning then led to an exhibition at the Empire State building in New York. The other challenge was being awarded my Advanced Skills Teacher Status in education after an intensive application process and being told I was of the top eight of the 250 that the inspector had assessed. I guess I could also add climbing Ben Nevis to the challenges!
Why did you become a teacher? I am often asked this by my students and the answer is primarily my children. Once they had started school it was very hard to launch new collections during the school holidays. I had lectured at Hastings College of Art between working for companies and starting my own business and I had really enjoyed the process of inspiring creativity. Therefore, going in to teaching seemed to be the right move and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience ever since. I am passionate about design and the importance of problem solving and also encouraging students to aim high!
