Staff Profile: Lucy Butterworth, Year 5 Teacher

Staff Profile: Lucy Butterworth, Year 5 Teacher Each week we will feature a member of staff across all areas of the school including teachers, admin staff, support staff and more, to get to know members of our school family a little better. Our profile this week is Lucy Butterworth, Year 5 Teacher. Each week we will feature a member of staff across all areas of the school including teachers, admin staff, support staff and more, to get to know members of our school family a little better. Our profile this week is Lucy Butterworth, Year 5 Teacher.

Hi everyone! I am a Year 5 teacher at The British International School, Abu Dhabi. I would like to take this opportunity to share my journey to BIS Abu Dhabi with you.

I was very fortunate to grow up in a beautiful area of England called The Lake District. After finishing school, I moved to Leeds to study to become a teacher. During my time at University, I embraced the opportunity to teach in different countries, including Australia, Thailand, Romania, Kenya as well as England. The distinct advantage of these experiences was not just in gaining a rich knowledge about different educational and pedagogical approaches, but also the opportunity to connect myself with so many diverse people across the world. On graduating university, I was the proud recipient of the Dean’s Award in recognition of my successes as the highest achieving graduate in my year. Whilst at university, I continued to feed my love for travel and working with children through a role as Youth Leader for P&O Cruises. 

After graduating from University, I took a break from my travels to teach in Devon, England for five years. It was here I progressed in my career to Senior Leader and Head of Maths. Due to our excellent results, I also had the opportunity to disseminate this good practice with other schools in the area. In addition to this, I ran an Erasmus Project that involved partner schools in England and France. Its purpose was to give students the opportunity to become ‘Ocean Citizens of the Future’ and present on an international stage. Working with the biggest Aquarium in Europe to create a positive long-term impact on the environment was very rewarding. I am just glad that throughout the project I managed to keep my head above water! 

After 5 years in England, the desire to travel and teach internationally remained. I searched for a school that had a clear ethos that resonated with my own beliefs, that there is no limit to any child’s education. So, I applied for the position of KS2 teacher at The British International School, Abu Dhabi and here I am! Even with the challenges that we are currently facing, I am proud to be in a school that continues to endeavor to deliver a high-quality education to all students.

You may also know me as one of the Team Falcon Netball coaches at BIS Abu Dhabi. Sport and exercise are a huge passion of mine. I am captain of a local netball team in the Capital Netball League, and I also enjoy running and swimming in order to keep fit. In addition to exercise, my thirst for knowledge, whether by reading or by direct experience means I am always on a quest for a new adventure.  

‘Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.’