Breaking Stereotypes: Making Strides in STEM with Caroline Hamilton

Happy International Women in Engineering Day! Today, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in STEM and highlight the need for greater diversity in the field.?

To mark the occasion, we had the pleasure of speaking with Caroline Hamilton, Managing Director at White Rose Education and advocate for gender equality in STEM. In this interview, Caroline talks about her career and experience working in STEM, offering invaluable insights for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps. She also reveals what the future holds for White Rose Education.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.?

I wanted to train to teach straight after university, but I was painfully shy and did not feel confident enough to do it. I went into Finance instead, then finally plucked up the courage to train as a teacher when I was 27. I completed a year-long Graduate Training Programme (GTP) then landed my first secondary maths teacher role at my old high school in Rochdale!???

My first 3 years were challenging but highly rewarding and I was promoted to second in department by the end of my NQT year. I then moved on and joined a very different, outstanding academy in Halifax and the rest is history! My journey at White Rose Maths began in 2017, and I can't help thinking of the phrase "In the right place, at the right time".??

2. How did you gain an interest in working in maths and science??

I was quite an all-rounder at school and enjoyed most subjects. I studied both maths and english literature at A-level and when moving into teaching I was torn on which subject to choose but in all honestly, maths was a more attractive route. I thoroughly enjoy teaching maths, so it was the right decision.???

My main talent as a teacher was educating the low attaining 'difficult' students.? I loved the challenge of turning their mindset around and helping them open the door to opportunities after gaining good results at GCSE. For me, helping young people enjoy their maths lessons is the ultimate goal.? My lessons don't have to be full of gimmicks or games to make them fun, the students just need to feel like they are learning and their time in the classroom is valuable.????

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3. What’s it like being a woman in STEM????

I don't often think about the fact that I am a woman working in STEM, it just feels natural to me.? I am strong, independent and confident about my ability to do the job. It doesn't faze me that I am often presenting to a room full of men, I just hope that one day more women are represented at the top. They will be if I’ve got anything to do with it, there are some incredible women on my leadership team.

"I just hope that one day more women are represented at the top."

4. What advice would you give to women exploring STEM career opportunities??

My first piece of advice is to just do your thing, and if you ever feel like you aren't being treated or rewarded as highly as your male colleagues, say something. It does happen unfortunately so say exactly how you feel and that you want to be treated fairly for the work you are doing. Do some research and present the facts!???

Secondly (and this advice is for men and women), trust your instincts. I love learning by reading and through others, but don’t be afraid to try something that’s totally out of the box. Sometimes it feels the whole world is swimming one way, but you don't need to follow. Stick to what you believe and if necessary, swim in the other direction.?

5. As a woman in STEM, who has been your inspiration during your career??

I am inspired by many people, both men and women. A lovely lady called Kate Davies taught me a lot when I started my first teaching job. She really took me under her wing and was an excellent maths teacher. Another inspiration was Liz Henning, she taught me maths when I was at school and helped me a great deal in my NQT year. Both those women helped shape the teacher and leader I am today. They probably don't know the impact they had on me, so I hope they are reading this!??

I can't write about inspiration without mentioning Tony Staneff. I first met?Tony when I joined the?Trinity Academy Halifax, a school where standards are through the roof and no one apologies for it. I was impressed by everything and everyone at the school, including Tony himself. From that day, we have become a force to be reckoned with.?Neither one of us is as good alone as we are together!? He brings positivity and vision and pushes me out of my comfort zone regularly. I bring execution, rigor and challenge and I know that Tony loves that I am not a 'yes' woman.?

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6. It’s a huge year of new products and resources for White Rose Education. What has been the most memorable highlight so far??

It has got to be the launch of White Rose Science. Getting the schemes of learning and resources to where they are now has been a roller coaster. We have extremely high standards, and we know when something isn't quite working. The first few stabs at the schemes just weren't right and we knew it. Eventually, it all came together, and we knew we had something really special.??

Another highlight, that no one really knows about yet, is the development of our mixed age resources. We have offered mixed age resources for years now, but we never really had that special feeling about it...until now! I'm so excited for them to be developed, watch this space...?

7. The launch of White Rose Science is almost here. When and why did the company decide to expand into science resources??

We talked about moving into science for a few years but myself and Tony weren’t 100% sure it was the right move at that moment in time. I felt we still had a lot more to offer with maths, as did Tony, so for that reason after a lengthy discussion, we shelfed the idea for a couple of years. ?

Last year, we went through our usual recruitment period to expand our maths team and one candidate showed a particular strength in primary science. We discussed and decided to take a chance and appoint our very first Science Specialist, Sarah Hutson-Dean. And that was it, we were committed to science resource development. We then employed Amaar Khan, who joined in September, and got to work. Sarah and Amaar are both fantastic specialists who got their head stuck into research, worked with external experts, and collaborated with us to create science "the White Rose way". ?

We're very proud of version 1 of our science content but I am sure we will learn a great deal along this journey and no doubt many more improvements and iterations are to come.?

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8. What does the future hold for White Rose Education??

Literally the sky is the limit. We want everyone, everywhere, regardless of background, to have access to the very best education. This means we need to go global, and we will.? We need to continue to provide teachers with what they need to teach excellent lessons harnessing the latest technology to help transform today's classrooms. We have some big ideas, and I can't wait to share them with the world!?

"We want everyone, everywhere, regardless of background, to have access to the very best education"

So, from finance to becoming a formidable force at White Rose Education, Caroline is a trailblazer for women in STEM and in the words of Caroline herself...stick to what you believe and if necessary, swim in the other direction.?

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