Every morning at Charles Dickens Primary School you will find long-serving staff member, Aggie Mesmain, on the gates, welcoming children and speaking to parents. And every evening you will find her chatting once again with parents and children as they leave for home. This illustrates what an important and well-respected member of the school community Aggie is.

As the Head of Pastoral and Early Help at Charles Dickens, her role mirrors the early help for families that traditionally would have been supported by social services. This work is especially vital during times of change and challenge. As a trusted member of the community she works with families to quickly access relevant services and support, leading to better outcomes for children and parents.

As part of this, Aggie has had to develop and maintain strong relationships with numerous different council departments, and she helps families to navigate these in order that they get the right support at the right time. In particular, she works with young parents who may not have access to wider family support networks.

Although her position on the senior leadership team is relatively recent, Aggie has in fact been part of the staff at Charles Dickens for 35 years. She was originally inspired to work with children after volunteering at her son’s nursery.  A decision that led to a job offer, then Nursey Nurse training, and eventually an application for a vacancy at Charles Dickens. The rest, they say, is history.

Every day is different. From morning drop off Aggie, will be meeting parents to discuss any concerns they want to raise or supporting children who might be experiencing difficulties at school. She will also be involved with safeguarding issues, liaising with external agencies as required. This in addition to overseeing early years wrap around care, coordinating food bank delivery and collections, and attending senior leadership and staff meetings.

Aggie’s enthusiasm for her work shines through when you meet her and when asked what the best thing about working at Charles Dickens is, she replies without hesitation that it is ‘working with families, especially the children’. And her advice to her younger self, ‘Live like to the fullest, we never know what’s around the corner’.