I am currently working as an English teacher (secondary and 6th form) in an inner city school in the East Midlands. I have been teaching for 12 years, holding a range of roles and responsibilities. Currently I lead KS4 English within the department, responsible for Year 10 and 11. I completed my NPQML in June 2021 which prompted me to embark on a Masters in Education and Leadership at the University of Nottingham. Throughout my career as a teacher, I have been interested in developing my understanding of research across a range of fields, mainly focusing on teaching and learning practices. I have had the opportunity to work with schools within a trust/academy to see how best to support particular groups of students. My NPQML allowed me to utilise research to make and sustain changes in how the department supported the learning of boys in English. This was a key moment in my career as a teacher as it was the first time I took the lead for an initiative independently, supporting and developing members of my team along the way. The Practice Based Inquiry module with the University of Nottingham enabled me to focus on an area of my own interest and develop a deeper understanding of some of the complexities surrounding the profession.