OLD PERSEANS
STAFF PROFILE
Gail Hague
I
joined The Perse in September
that The Perse has allowed me
1995, the first year we took girls
to have a variety of roles, from
NAME: Gail Hague
in the Sixth Form. Before that
chemistry teacher to careers
JOINED THE PERSE: 1995
I had been Head of Chemistry
advisor, from Head of Sixth Form
SUBJECT: Chemistry
and Assistant Head of Science
girls, to Senior Tutor (overseeing
ALSO KNOWN FOR:
at Samuel Ward (now academy)
the move to co-education), then
Establishing girls’ sport
in Haverhill and then I worked at
to Assistant Head (Welfare and
and making great jam.
Parkside College in Cambridge.
Admissions) and now Registrar.
I was also Director of the Salters Chemistry Club for a while.
There are so many great aspects to teaching, but over the last 37
I have too many happy
years, the best ones for me are
memories over my 25 years at
teacher because of the teachers I
those ‘light bulb moments’ when
The Perse to mention here, but
had at school and their enthusiasm
children who have struggled with
the first girls’ hockey team (we
for what they were doing. I actually
a difficult chemistry concept
had to play on Parker’s Piece
wanted to become a PE teacher
just suddenly ‘get it’; to see their
in the old 3rd XI boys’ kit!), my
because I loved sport, but decided
confidence immediately grow is
brilliant forms/tutor groups (from
to do a chemistry degree first,
such a great feeling. Working with
the 6GFHs to the first 7N in 2010
knowing that I would be able to
children too, to build their belief in
– they know who they are), and
teach some sport as well but soon
themselves and getting them to
the laughs I have had with them,
realised that not everyone enjoyed
realise that they can do it (and that
have to stand out, as well as
sport in the same way as I did
can sometimes take a few years)
that very first charity cabaret…
so mainly stuck to the chemistry
and then seeing them really do well
teaching after that!
at the end of their school career is
teaching and pastoral roles, I
also something that has given me
am looking forward to spending
part time chemistry teacher, as
enormous pleasure over the years.
more time in my garden, walking
my children Tom and Rosie (both
The worst bits of teaching have to
and going to the gym. I’m still
OPs) were still young. Over the
be the marking and writing reports –
staying on as part time Registrar
years I have been really fortunate
give me a parents’ evening any time!
and am delighted to be able to
I was inspired to become a
I initially joined The Perse as a
Now I have retired from my
spend my school days showing
I WAS INSPIRED TO BECOME A TEACHER BECAUSE OF THE TEACHERS I HAD AT SCHOOL AND THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 20
prospective students and their families around The Perse and letting them see for themselves what a very special place it is!
