We caught up with Zoe Howe, our newest governor, to hear about her teaching career in London and why she wanted to join The Portal Trust.
Zoe brings over four decades of experience as a teacher, deputy head, assistant head, headteacher and now school improvement partner and coach. Her life has been dedicated to championing young people, breaking down barriers and helping students reach their full potential.
During our chat with Zoe, we talked about her wonderful career, her passion for the East End and what she’s most excited to bring to The Portal Trust alongside our mission to support young people in London.
Although she wasn’t born a Londoner, Zoe said that the East End felt like home almost as soon as she arrived. She fell in love with the community’s determination, ambition and collaborative nature – ‘It's a place that is never satisfied with the status quo and is always prepared to fight back if things aren’t right’
Her career began at a time where there was a big cultural shift in East London schools, with many first-generation immigrant children and navigating language and background differences. This is when Zoe developed a passion for inclusivity.
She began noticing how many children were missing out, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those experiencing trauma. This led her into Tower Hamlets specialist provisions where she started on a mission to ensure that all children could equitably access specialised support.
Zoe has lots of achievements under her belt which demonstrate the impact she has had throughout London. As assistant head at a school in Tower Hamlets during a particularly challenging time, she learnt first-hand the importance of good leadership, collaboration and a strong vision.
Later, she became headteacher at Hermitage Primary School in Wapping where she put her belief in creative and inclusive learning into practice. Zoe was always looking for new ways to spark imagination and grow children’s potential, from teaching modern foreign languages starting from nursery to year 6, to putting on Shakespeare festivals.
When we asked her why she wanted to join The Portal Trust's Board, Zoe told us how much she connected with our mission of opening doors and supporting bold new ideas.
You can have all the ambition in the world, but if you don't have that first little pot of money, it changes nothing…The Portal Trust supports new things, and that’s a really important thing.
Zoe Howe
Portal Trust Governor
We asked Zoe which of our funding themes are her favourite and we were relieved to hear that she really resonates with all of them. She particularly connects with our dedication to supporting young people at risk of disengaging with education (Missing Out) and supporting initiatives that build confidence and resilience (Stepping Up).
Zoe sees the biggest challenge facing young people today as simply getting access to the basics – finding a secure place to live and fulfilling, well-paid work.
Zoe has now retired from full-time teaching, but she’s still closely involved in Education with school consultancy, coaching, and now her work with us as a Portal Trust governor.
Young people are our future, and they deserve so much better than what they’re getting… Being part of the process that dismantles obstacles and opens doors…as an educator, you’ve seen first-hand how much difference that makes. I am so excited to help drive that forward.
Zoe Howe
Portal Trust Governor
We’re so glad to welcome Zoe to our Board and we’re already benefitting from her wisdom and passion as we work together to open doors for young people across London.