National Chairman Geraldine Everett Biography

Geraldine Everett, National Chairman (2007/08)

National Chairman (2007/08) 

(Chairman from AGM 30 July 2007 to AGM July 2008)

geraldineeverett@voicetheunion.org.uk

Geraldine’s association with the world of education began in a relatively insignificant local primary school in Copnor, Hampshire, at the age of five.  She cannot recall learning to read, write or do sums.  Indeed, the only lasting memory is of an outside toilet block and the sound of constant automatic flushing.  A move at seven to leafy, suburban Surrey, coincidentally, not far from Caroline Carver’s (née Wigmore) house, had significantly more impact.

Surviving the legendary 11+, Geraldine moved to Wimbledon High School GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust), an all-girls independent institution that inspired her questioning and challenging of the education system in general.  She is still greeted by her former headmistress with: "Oh! You were such a naughty girl!"  Having been told that she was not cut out for university or college, Geraldine decided to do both.  Geraldine thoroughly enjoyed her time at Warwick University and, as poacher turned gamekeeper, became a member of the teaching profession.  More recently, at Leicester University, she trained as a counsellor and then obtained an MA (ED SEN/Inclusion) from the Open University.

Geraldine’s first teaching post was in a 2000-strong 14-18 Leicestershire upper school.  Then, while her own children were young, she was involved in pre-school.  Later she undertook further training, working as a supply teacher for the LEA in primary and middle schools.  She then worked in four different independent schools, teaching from nursery through to sixth form, before returning to the maintained sector as an inclusion manager in an inner city primary school. Currently, Geraldine is working as an independent inclusion consultant, supporting schools and families, as well as a Field Officer and Leicester City Secretary for Voice.

Leisure time is greatly valued.  Whenever she has the opportunity, Geraldine particularly enjoys walking, travelling, visiting art galleries, museums and gardens, and reading almost anything that isn’t from QCA and DfES.

Geraldine became actively involved in PAT (Voice) in 1987, first at Federation level in Leicestershire and then in 1989 as a Council member.  She still questions and challenges the education system, but now it is on behalf of the union’s membership.