The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

Ashmi Morjaria

Following a career in television, working with Channel 4, the BBC and a range of independent production companies, Ashmi Morjaria ‘accidentally’ fell into teaching and found a love for education. She is currently deputy headteacher in a girls only primary setting.

Over the last 13 years, Ashmi has worked across a range of senior leadership roles, and led a range of curriculum areas, as well as a leadership hub. She is particularly passionate about empowering women into leadership roles and supporting post-maternal wellbeing.

Having started life from humble beginnings, Ashmi has a deep belief that education creates opportunities. 'I believe that a rich and diverse curriculum offer is pivotal in leading to structural change.'

Follow Ashmi at @NWCJuniorDeputy

Latest blog posts

Ashmi Morjaria

What you don’t know, you don’t know!

Ashmi Morjaria explores the concept of hinterland knowledge, why it matters and what it means for curriculum design. As a member of the British Indian community and a school leader, I have found the last year more emotionally taxing than any year before. Knowing that I was 2 and half times more...
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Ashmi Morjaria

Women in leadership – change the stats!

Two-thirds of women experience 'imposter syndrome' in the workplace. How can we combat this voice in our head, and how can we encourage and support the progress of other women? I recently attended an inspiring course led by Carol Jones (Director of Leading Women Education ) at my school. The aim of...
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Ashmi Morjaria

How to improve teachers’ post-maternal wellbeing

Returning to work after pregnancy can be a dizzying experience for teachers. Ashmi Morjaria explains why they need a helping hand. The six-week summer holiday can leave teachers at a loose end. Some of us turn into insomniacs the night before the autumn term. Anxiety takes over as our minds are...
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Ashmi Morjaria

School leadership: for better for worse, till death do us part

I often hear colleagues talk about being 'married' to teaching. But what happens when matrimony becomes acrimony, and who can prevent it? For almost a third of teachers, the profession is a turbulent union that will end in divorce within the first five years Relationship breakdown Back in 2010,...
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Ashmi Morjaria

From BAFTA to PGCE

People often ask me why I traded in a career of glitz and glam for the classroom. My answer is that it’s merely the best accident that ever happened to me. It feels like yesterday when I left a meeting at the BBC only to discover that the children’s department was to be relocated from London to...
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