The gold medal winner in the SecEd Headteachers’ PA of the Year awards, Pamela Zborowski works at Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College in Cheshire. Her previous posts include Manchester United’s merchandising operation and working as a nanny, secretary and cook for a well-known political figure.

Good as gold

How did you find out you’d won the award?

On a Wednesday, the senior leadership team have a regular after-school meeting and the first five minutes is usually fun – some type of quiz before the serious stuff. I often take them a cup of tea or something but this particular week they asked me to join in the quiz as they went through ten questions. The last one was “Who has won the SecEd Gold Award for PA of the Year 2010?” Everyone then looked at me and started cheering.

Does not coming from a school background make a difference?

I remember when I came for my interview, there were five or six others there who all came from educational backgrounds and I wondered if I’d really fit in with the work experience I had. I had even forgotten about things like timetables split over two weeks! But the head said she thought I’d bring a fresh outlook to the position so I was dropped in at the deep end.

How do you involve students in your work?

Their voice is very important so, for example, it ’s nice for candidates on interview to have a tour around the school and talk to them. Young people tend to tell you exactly how it is and ours give me useful feedback for the short-listing team. They will come back with comments such as “Oh Miss, don’t choose her/him, s/he showed no interest in what we do” or they will come back with a glowing account. I introduced our own student ambassador awards in school to thank them for all the help they give me and I attend our annual awards evening to present the award myself.

Why does Manchester United introduce so many different playing strips?

I particularly remember thinking people would hate a new grey strip they brought out; the manager later blamed that kit for a bad result and the players never wore it again. I had parents and grandparents ringing me up to complain about that one.

I used to organise the players’ merchandise signing sessions for charity and sometimes the players weren’t too keen but I used to say to them: “These people pay your wages and it is all for a good cause.” They did as they were told, eventually. One day, David Beckham was running late for training and he shot off after putting baby Brooklyn in my arms to wait for his carer to arrive. It all made for an interesting day at the training ground.

Did you also mix with the rich and famous during your ‘time in politics’?

Lots of celebrities and politicians came to the house regularly. I was particularly excited when [actor] Anthony Andrews was expected for a Sunday lunch I was cooking. But he rang to say he’d broken down with his wife on the motorway.

My boss told him there was a very disappointed lady waiting for him at the house so Anthony came on the phone to say he’d make a point of coming to see me at the next party. I didn’t think he would remember but he did apologise in person when he next visited. I was thrilled as I thought he was lovely in Brideshead Revisited.

• Interview by John Holt

Pro.file

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