For nearly five years, Louise Dodd has been one of the friendly faces greeting pupils, parents and visitors at Beachborough each morning.
While she’s often the first face families see, there’s much more to her role than meets the eye. As our iSams Administrator, Co-Curricular Lead and a valued member of the Admin team, Louise plays a key part in keeping school life running smoothly behind the scenes.
Hi Louise, can you tell us a little about yourself – what you’re passionate about, your background and what makes you, you.
I’m originally from the East End of London, which has definitely shaped who I am – down to earth, hardworking and always happy to muck in. I have a 19-year-old son and two dogs who keep life busy and fun outside of work.
I love spending time in the garden, especially when I can see the results of a bit of effort, and I’m happiest on the beach or by the sea – it’s my go to place to relax and recharge. I’m also a big fan of coffee and biscuits (probably more than I should be!), which definitely helps keep me going through a busy day.
Professionally, I’ve built up strong experience in school administration. In my previous role, I ran the school office and worked as PA to the Head, so I’m used to spinning lots of plates, staying organised and being a friendly, reliable point of contact for pupils, parents and colleagues alike. I really enjoy working in a school environment and being part of a team that helps everything run smoothly.
What do you love the most about being part of the Beachborough team?
I love being part of such a caring team, which makes me incredibly proud to be part of the Beachborough family.
What inspired you to do what you do and what keeps you passionate about it today?
What inspired me to do what I do was the opportunity to work in an environment that’s both fast-paced and people-focused. I’ve always enjoyed roles where I can solve problems, support others and make a real difference to the day-to-day running of an organisation. Education, in particular, appealed to me because it’s such a meaningful environment to be part of, supporting pupils, staff and the wider school community.
What keeps me passionate today is exactly what I enjoy most about the role: the pace and variety. No two days are ever the same, and I thrive in that kind of busy, ever-changing environment. I enjoy being challenged, adapting to new situations and learning new things, especially as systems and processes continue to evolve.
I also get a lot of satisfaction from being someone people can rely on, whether that’s solving a problem, improving the way we do things or helping colleagues get the most out of the systems we use. Knowing that I’ve helped make someone’s day a little easier or contributed to things running more smoothly is incredibly rewarding. For me, it’s that combination of variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a positive difference that keeps me motivated and engaged.
***
As you’ve discovered, there’s much more to Louise than the friendly face you see at Reception each morning. Her dedication, reliability and willingness to muck in wherever needed make her an invaluable part of the Beachborough community. Thank you, Louise, for all that you do.
