Catching up with...Genevieve Bent MBE

Genevieve Bent MBE studied BSc Forensic Chemistry and graduated from Kingston University in 2012. Genevieve is currently Associate Vice Principal at the Harris Federation and an award-winning former Head of Science. Genevieve is Founder of Young Gifted and STEM and received an MBE recognising her services to education in the King's Birthday Honours 2024.

Tell us about a typical day in your role at the Harris Federation?

My typical day starts sometime before 8am, logging on to check emails and catching up from the previous evening before heading to my morning duties. I will be either at the main student entrance or on a floor, greeting students before they enter tutor time. I will then use the 30-minute tutor time to go into the tutor groups I oversee to check uniform/dress code, say hello to staff and students, and check they are ready for the day and engaging in tutor time activities.

At 9am, lesson 1 starts, so I will be in the corridors during transition. If I teach lesson 1, I will head up to the science department to teach Year 11, 12 or 13. I usually do duties at both break and lunch times, so will work with colleagues to supervise students whilst also using this as my opportunity to eat. If I'm not teaching, I usually have meetings with staff, tick off my to-do list in order of priority, and eventually plan for my next day. After the school day ends I will continue with some meetings and work, and then head home between 5:30pm and 6pm!

What is the biggest challenge and the biggest reward in your role?

My biggest challenge is trying to get through the ever-growing list of to dos! Working in a school, as any teacher and school staff member would know, is very dynamic. No two days are the same! So what you might plan to get through in a day doesn't often happen! Things crop up with students, staff and the building all the time, so after school (when the students have gone home) is usually the only time you can work uninterrupted!

My biggest reward is seeing how far the students come over a long (but very short) time! They can do complete 180s across a school year, let alone a few years and seeing them become confident, happy, and proud learners is genuinely so rewarding. I often cry at the end of a school year!

What inspired your passion for STEM?

I really enjoyed science, particularly at university. It is both black and white, and grey. It's such a multifaceted area of study, that I want everyone to enjoy it. As a teacher, who works in a very multiculturally diverse school, I thought it was so important to promote STEM subjects and boost engagement; to get students to see what I see. When you see students who "don't like science" become so engaged in different areas in STEM, it makes you want to push harder and open up accessibility to everyone!

What have been some of your career highlights?

Becoming a Head of Science in 2017. This was something I so truly wanted, and it really opened up my love of science and journey to the leader I am today. I worked with the most amazing team up until 2022, and they were truly the best group of colleagues I could have ever hoped for.

In 2021, I took part in an ITV Ident project which allowed me to collaborate with fantastic installation artists, Walter & Zoniel, to bring art and science together. We used chemistry to create something beautiful – a popular science teacher demo to make elephant toothpaste – and brought it to the masses. This was such an amazing opportunity and was broadcasted nationally on ITV, every day before every show, for the whole month of August.

I also graduated from my two-year masters in Science Education in 2021. My thesis was titled ‘Exploring the experiences of Black British Caribbean Women in the British educational system' and is a piece of work I am so proud of. Interviewing women from across the country and bringing in my own experiences was eye opening and allowed me to really explore the barriers for Black women in STEM.

I started Young Gifted and STEM in the pandemic. I hope to make this bigger this academic year and get further support in growing the initiative.

Last but not least my MBE... CRAZY!!! Still can't believe it, I'm so truly honoured.

Which graduate skill do you feel will be most valued in teaching and education in the future?

Working to deadlines. Those module deadlines at university are no joke, and you know what the consequences are should you miss them. It's the same in education. There are often deadlines that you absolutely cannot miss, particularly when it comes to areas like safeguarding, UCAS applications, external agencies and so on. So working to deadlines is a big must and super important; something you would have mastered by the end of your degree!

What's your favourite memory as a Kingston student?

Going to Kingston Crown Court and acting as an Expert Witness – a forensic scientist – and testifying why there was/wasn't a crime that took place. This was the culmination of a group project and just so much fun! We took it really seriously and I still remember it clearly!

Tell us something no one would guess about you.

I am a reality TV addict! I can literally spend hours watching reality shows; my sister always asks, "How do you watch so much TV…?" I don't know but I make it work! Ask me if I have watched ‘X' and the answer is probably always yes!

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