Get to know the people behind Edge Grove
What is your name?
Diana Evans
What is your role at Edge Grove?
Form Tutor and Head of Art.
How long have you been at Edge Grove?
I am now in my 6th year.
What did you do before joining Edge Grove?
My initial degree was BA Musical Theatre and from there I worked in the theatre and television industries. In 2003, when my three boys started full time school I retrained as a teacher. In 2014 I completed a masters degree in illustration and started working at Edge Grove School. I haven't looked back!
What do you love most about your job?
I love teaching art. I get huge satisfaction seeing the wonderful capacity for creativity the children have. There are so many really valuable life skills children can gain through the creative arts where pupils learn about patience, perseverance and resilience. When I see confidence growing and skills and techniques being mastered, it just makes my heart sing!
What do you love most about Edge Grove?
The children, of course! Closely followed by my colleagues and also the many parents. It's about our Edge Grove community.
Who is your favourite colleague and why?
That would have to be Steph Mellini. I've known her all of my life and we get along very easily. It's always a pleasure working closely with her; she's one of the good guys! I have to say though, I have never worked at a school with such a positive, cohesive and supportive team. I would happily be friends with every one of my colleagues outside of school.
Steph and I on holiday when we were little
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Italy. The scenery, art, architecture, food, culture and climate is unbeatable in my opinion! I was hoping one day to be able to retire to Italy but now we are no longer in Europe, it looks like these dreams have been dashed. There's nothing quite so sweet as an English summer but these long, dark, wet and cold winter months are an almost intolerable trial.
What is your biggest fear? Either of my children dying, or any child dying. In 2009, my ten year old son died having been misdiagnosed by Great Ormond Street Hospital. This brought my family and me to our knees and sharply brought into focus how hostage we are to our children's fortune. A positive I can take from such a devastating situation is that I deeply understand, with acute awareness, how important it is for children to be and know they are safe and valued. What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be a famous actress when I will little. I was very lively and precocious so my parents promptly sent me to stage school. I remember as an undergraduate panicking in case I didn't 'make it', until it occurred to me I had survived not being famous so far in my life! In retrospect, I am so relieved I chose a different direction in my career because I couldn't imagine anything more satisfying than working with children.
Ballerina Diana
Me and my boys