Herminder Channa OBE JP

Year of Graduation: 2000, 2005, 2008

  • Course Bsc (HONS) Biological Sciences, PGCE Science, MA Leadership and Management
  • School School of Education, University of Wolverhampton Business School, Wolverhampton School of Sciences
  • Nationality British
  • Career industry Education
  • Current job title Executive Principal, Local Leader of Education (LLE), Lead Ofsted inspector, Magistrate
  • Current Company Ark/Ofsted

Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions. It takes a big heart and a lot of love to help shape future generations for the betterment of humankind.

When I walked into the University I remember being 'wowed' by the size of the campus and the resources that were available in the library. One of the first sessions I had was an introduction to 'WOLF' which was an online platform where I could access my learning, collaborate with my classes, access support from my lectures and book my one-to-one sessions with my personal tutors. These sessions were invaluable as any worries/concerns I had were resolved and a way forward always found. When studying for my PGCE I was nervous about my placements and whether I would receive the right support in school. The relationships that my course leaders had with the schools were excellent and I received all the support I needed. The program structure was also clear to my placement schools so they were able to plan my timetable around my university content ensuring I did not miss out on things. I made my lifelong friends at university and even though life gets busy, I am still in contact with my friends via social media. Having a warm drink in the coffee shop on the ground floor, lunch in the canteen, or dinner in the Mander centre, there was always lively conversation, plenty of laughter and lifelong memories created.
With all the courses I attended at the University the common theme that ran through was the transferable skills I developed. The ability to research, the precision in organisation, the confidence to lead team activities and present to different stakeholders set a strong foundation for me to build upon. As I moved through my career I have strengthened, tweaked, and updated my practice with ease because of the strong foundation in place to begin with.
As executive principal, I lead a large inner-city secondary academy with 1000+ people. I lead inspections of schools on behalf of Ofsted. Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. My role as a Local Leader of Education (LLE) means I support schools on their improvement journey and I also design and lead educational courses. It is a privilege to be able to serve my community as a magistrate.
There have been many, but the one that stands out is The Guardian article that was published October 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/oct/24/headteacher-who-healed-a-birmingham-trojan-horse-school-we-did-it-with-love It highlights the dedication and commitment of those who enter the teaching profession and just what can be achieved when carried out “with love."
The University of Wolverhampton has not only excelled in course content and design; the transferable skills and confidence I gained in a supportive environment set a solid foundation on which further skills could be build. The care shown to me by my tutors and the solution-focused approach they took meant barriers were removed to I could focus on learning.