From science lessons to Safeguarding Lead across the UK: Meet Tracy Greer

When Tracy joined OneSchool Global in 2014 as a part-time science teacher at the OneSchool Global Coventry campus (now known as Ashbrook), she was looking for a role that balanced career and family life.

“I’d just had my daughter, so I was looking for something flexible,” Tracy explains. “I was drawn to OneSchool because of the family values and the flexibility. It felt like a place where I could make teaching work alongside family life.”

What began as a part-time teaching role would grow into a leadership journey spanning more than 11 years.

Navigating change and challenges

After her first year in the classroom, Tracy stepped into a Regional Head of Department role. But when the Coventry campus relocated, a long daily commute eventually forced her to make a difficult decision. Tracy left OneSchool Global for a mainstream school closer to home — a move that quickly highlighted what made OneSchool different.

“It was a bit of a shock moving from OneSchool back into the public system,” she says. “At OneSchool, you’re trusted as a teacher and you have flexibility. In mainstream education, there was directed time until late afternoon and you had to stay on site whether you needed to or not.”

While colleagues appreciated her teaching, she found the environment lacked the independence and trust she valued. “I realised quite quickly it wasn’t for me,” Tracy says.

Determined to return, she reached out to OSG leadership about opportunities and soon rejoined OneSchool Global. “For me, working at OneSchool was worth the commute,” she says. “Even though the mainstream school was eight minutes from home, OneSchool was the better place to be.”

Her return marked the beginning of rapid professional growth. Within a short time, Tracy became Assistant National Curriculum Lead for Geography and later Key Stage 3 Lead. Soon after, she was asked to take on the role of Deputy Safeguarding Lead — a responsibility that would ultimately shape her career.

Discovering a new passion

Tracy’s journey into safeguarding was unexpected. “It started because there was a need on campus,” she explains. “But once I began, I realised I really enjoyed it and it came naturally.”

Her career path into education had already been unconventional. After studying archaeology and working in the field, she retrained as a teacher when redundancy prompted a change in direction.

“It showed me how important transferable skills are,” she says. “Sometimes it’s not about what you study — it’s about how you apply those skills.”

Her interest in working with young people ultimately led her to teaching. “I really value honesty,” she says. “And there’s nobody more honest than children.”

As her safeguarding responsibilities grew, Tracy’s role expanded beyond a single campus into national support across the UK.

“I spend time visiting campuses and working with staff to strengthen safeguarding,” she says. “What we do here is unique, especially the global collaboration.”

Several safeguarding practices developed in the UK are now being shared more widely across OneSchool Global. “It’s rewarding to see work from the UK helping shape global practice.”

Professional development that makes a difference

Throughout her career, Tracy says that OSG’s commitment to professional development has made a significant difference.

“OSG is really supportive in making sure you have what you need to do your role well,” she explains. “The priority is having the best for students, and that includes investing in staff.”

Through senior leadership qualifications and extensive safeguarding training, Tracy has continued to develop her expertise.

“When a student needs something here, it happens,” she says. “That’s what I value most — the focus is always on what’s best for the student.”

What makes teaching at OSG unique

For Tracy, one of the defining features of OneSchool Global is the strong partnership between families and teachers.

“At OneSchool, parents thank you for helping their children stay focused,” she says. “Education is a shared priority, and that makes teaching incredibly rewarding.”

She also values the long-term relationships built across campuses and communities. “You teach families here, not just individual students,” she explains. “Years later, you still see the students you taught and the parents you worked with. That’s really special.”

Since Tracy first joined OSG, she has seen significant changes and growth.

“It was much more traditional when I started,” she recalls. “Now OneSchool is at the forefront of pedagogy and innovation.”

She believes one of the organisation’s strengths is its openness to ideas. “There’s no ego here,” she says. “If an idea is good for students, it doesn’t matter where it comes from — it will be explored.”

“OSG is a place where you can concentrate on teaching and supporting students,” she says. “You’re trusted, you’re supported, and you can really make a difference.”

For Tracy, that sense of purpose is what makes OneSchool Global a place worth returning to — and a place where a career can grow in ways she never imagined!