Erika Kennedy

Here at GEMS FirstPoint School – The Villa, I work as an Assistant Principal for School Improvement. My role is to support the brilliant work across the through school, working with students and leaders. I seek new ways to reinvigorate the classroom and currently focus on how oracy and feedback from student led enquiries can help here.

I gained my undergraduate degree in History and Politics BA from the University of Warwick. During my time here I found a passion for the classroom where I was fortunate enough to be a part of Warwick in Africa, where I supported developing teachers in an all-through school in Morogoro, Tanzania. I completed my PGCE in History through Sheffield Hallam University, as part of the Teach First programme, and developed my practice in a school in Bradford. Soon after, I completed my MA in Educational Leadership through the University of Manchester and took on department and faculty wide leadership roles focusing on attainment and progress for a wide range of subjects. Prior to joining GEMS FirstPoint in 2023, I was an all-through leader for Character and the Quality of Education in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and had been a leader at the school for six years. Here I focused on developing exceptional personal development opportunities, as well as an excellent academic provision. 

At FirstPoint all staff and leaders are committed to providing your children with an exceptional education and school experience. My current role enables me to work more closely with leaders and teachers across the school to continue to build on our brilliant success. Students are at the heart of our school, and it’s a pleasure to see my daughter thrive here as part of FS2.