Dedicated Diana is fulfilling her dream (From Your Local Guardian)

Dedicated Diana is fulfilling her dream

12:10pm Wednesday 4th July 2007 in

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Our search for Kingston's best headteacher goes on and Diana Brotherston from Fern Hill Primary School in Richmond Road has been nominated by Claire Pilkington.

She said: "Diana is the essence of our school and the driving force behind all that we achieve.

"Since 1994 Diana has created a thriving, happy environment for our children.

"She has become a good friend over the years and it would be a crime if she does not win this accolade."

“She has become a good friend over the years and it would be a crime if she does not win this accolade.”

Claire Pilkington

Miss Brotherston, 51, began her career in education at a primary school in Surrey, teaching reception class and year one children.

She said: "I have wanted to be a teacher as long as I can remember.

"I can actually remember playing in my garden with a blackboard and chalk, and lining up all my toys and teaching them."

Miss Brotherston has been involved with Fern Hill Primary School since it first started in 1994 as temporary buildings in the car park of the North Kingston Centre, Richmond Road.

She said: "I was deputy head at Coombe Hill Infant School and I was seconded to Fern Hill when it was just being set up.

"I applied to become head of the school in January 1996."

Miss Brotherston, who has a BA and a masters in education, has never considered working with older children.

"I am an early year specialist," she said.

"I enjoy being with the children and being around their keeness to learn.

"The young children really keep your life in perspective."

During her 11 years in charge, Miss Brotherston has successfully transferred her passion for the environment to the children she teaches.

She said: "We have a secret garden, which is an area of land divided into plots for each of the classes.

"The children grow plants, vegetables and the like.

"It is a real passion of mine - getting the children hands on with something real and important."

• To vote for Diana Brotherston click here or to nomination click here.