After studying languages at Exeter University, I began my career in London working in finance. During this time, I worked as a volunteer reader at an inner-city primary school and found my true vocation. I realised I got far more helping children reach their full potential than working on Credit Derivative Swaps! I completed my PGCE at the Institute of Education and began working in a school in Hammersmith. Since then, I have never looked back. After a couple of years, I got married and moved with my husband’s job to the South Coast where I continued teaching in local schools. Several years later, we moved to Herefordshire and I decided to take a break from teaching to raise my three lovely children. Living a field across from the Elms, I often hear the sound of the children during games and am grateful that I can be part of such a wonderful school. In my free time, I love walking the hills (occasionally running them), eating good food and generally enjoying life in Shires!

I grew up in Herefordshire and went to school at St Mary’s, Wantage and Millfield. I represented the county in Swimming, Lacrosse, Tennis and Netball and played Tennis to a National level as a junior. I then got married, lived in Australia and had children, whilst eventing horses. I was shortlisted in Australia for both the World Championships and the Olympics. I have been at The Elms for many years. Two of my children went to The Elms and I have been coaching sport here ever since!

I grew up in Derbyshire where my love for the stage since the age of 2 led to studying Dance and Drama at Edgehill University. Having toured professionally within the UK and becoming the proprietor of a dance school, I have then relished the opportunity to teach within education across Early Years, Juniors and Seniors. I have taught in both State and Prep schools: Auckland College (Liverpool), Repton School (Derbyshire) and most recently, Malvern St James Girls School, where I joined the Drama, Boarding and Prep Department.   

When I’m not in the theatre or performing myself, I thoroughly enjoy travelling, baking, visiting the coast and lovely walks with our beagle, Charlie.   

From the first time I came to the Elms, I was overwhelmed by the passionate and kind staff and pupils. I remember I was invited to join in a ‘typical day’. From joining-in with EYFS cross country, to the opening of ‘Pygmy Palace’ and house music (all in one day!), I felt a huge pull of energy to strive to do anything I could to be part of such a wonderfully exciting school. I feel honoured and delighted to be joining The Elms as Head of Drama. 

My connection with The Elms began in 1977 when my mother opened the Pre-Prep. Her enthusiasm for her job was infectious and led me into teaching. I trained at the Froebel Institute, part of the University of Surrey, and worked in state and independent schools in London for a number of years. In 2001 we moved to New York with my husband’s job, and on our return we decided that rural life, and The Elms was best for us as a family. I was delighted to be asked to teach at the school and have spent 15 happy years teaching English.

I am excited that I am now able to extend and develop my skills by working in the Learning Support and EAL Department, having recently completed my Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Children with Dyslexia and Specific Learning Disorders, and undertaken a CELTA course.

Outside school, I take pleasure exploring our wonderful countryside with my Labrador, Arthur, or running with friends. As a family we enjoy visits to the theatre and generally spending time in each other’s company.

I have been living in Thailand working at international schools for the last 3 years with my daughter Charlie- Anne and am very excited to be joining The Elms. I graduated with a degree majoring in English and Anthropology and have a keen interest in different cultures. I have been very lucky to find my passion in education over the last few years and am looking forward to continue working with children. In my spare time I enjoy reading and leatherwork.

I recently moved to Herefordshire and I am enjoying getting to know this beautiful area. I grew up in Buckinghamshire, spending most  childhood summers in the French Alps. I went to Reading University to study French and Business Management, spending my third year studying in the Loire Valley. My first teaching job was at Watford Grammar School for Boys, where I stayed for 10 years. I left to take up the Head of French position at Heatherton House Prep School in Amersham, where I enjoyed a different experience, teaching a younger age group. I am looking forward to getting to know all the students at The Elms!

After graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, with a geography degree I decided to return to my hometown of Cheltenham to complete a PGCE at the University of Gloucestershire which I really enjoyed.

I have over twenty years of teaching experience, mainly in local primary schools and also in the independent sector having spent a couple of years as a form and games teacher at Winterfold House School.  I completed the National Award for SEN coordination in 2012 and worked as SENCo for six years which, although was challenging, gave me a great insight into the varying needs of children and how to support them.

I love sport and have had a successful rowing career, competing at the under 23 World Championships for GB and also for England and Wales on many occasions. I have been national champion numerous times, am a Commonwealth rowing champs silver medallist and have three elite level Henley women’s wins under my belt. I was honoured to be made a life member of Worcester Rowing Club in 2010, my home club since the age of 12 and am a national umpire for the sport. After having my two children I moved on to cycling and competed at the 2017 Gran Fondo World Road Race Championships in France for Great Britain which was an experience. I’m still often to be found on my bike, in my boat or walking my Labrador, Scout, with my children.

I gained a degree in Biological Science and then worked in the food industry for 4 years, starting as a Quality Technician and rising to a Process Manager, for a multinational company.  It was not offering the challenge that I was looking for and I left industry to study for my PGCE.  I have been teaching for over fifteen years now and have never looked back. I have had experience of teaching science in many different settings from standing in a field full of cows explaining digestive systems, to explaining sustainability to a room full of degree students who were my seniors. I find that teaching prep school aged children is by far my favourite age — I love the look of awe and amazement that the children have when introduced to the wonders that science offers.

Having taught Science predominantly for a number of years, I realised the joy I got from helping children with their maths and how exciting it could be, I am often to be found carrying out Scholarship papers for the sheer enjoyment and challenge it provides.

I think the most exciting thing for me about maths teaching is the difference I can make in the subject.  It is actually one of the most fundamentally easy subjects the children study, the only problem they will ever have is with their confidence.  As confidence increases children invariably find they can do it – I find it a joy to be part of unlocking their skills.  A solid grounding in the subject will hopefully lead to a lifelong enjoyment and inquisitive nature, regardless of how strongly Maths features in their future careers.

When I am not in the classroom, I can normally be found at my stables riding horses, having competed in dressage to Advanced Medium, or training for half marathons, which I run with massive enthusiasm and a distinct lack of speed! I am so excited to be joining The Elms as not only is it in a beautiful location, but it has equine and farming facilities.  I have grown up with horses and farm animals all around and I am certain it will feel like a home from home.

My own education started at The Margaret Allen Preparatory School in Hereford followed by seven years at Hereford Cathedral School. I enjoyed sport, outdoor pursuits, drama and music in equal measure, gaining Grade 8 distinction clarinet, and played saxophone and sang in a local jazz band.

After leaving school in addition to travelling around the world, I trained as a Beauty Therapist at the London Institute of Beauty Culture and worked in a Health and Fitness Centre, before achieving an HND in Business Studies. After completing my B.Ed(Hons) at Kingston, I started teaching in 1990 at Holmer Primary School, Hereford, during which time I gained Cert Ed Maths (Oxford), Cert Ed Geography (Warwick), teaching years 1, 4 and 6 and held post responsibility for PSHE, R.S., Humanities, Head of English, produced numerous plays and ran the school steel band. During this time, I spent school holidays running summer camps for disadvantaged children in Romania and also worked alongside social services supporting children I taught who were living in ‘Care’ and prison visiting. I later became joint Deputy Head at Holmer School before being appointed Headmistress of Haberdashers’ Redcap School, Hereford in 2000 where I remained in post for six very happy years. Here, I also taught Year 2, became Safeguarding Lead, gained ‘Outstanding’ in ISI Inspection and gained Investors in People status for the school.

After daughter Jasmine was born and taking two years out of teaching, I took up the post of Maths Lecturer and Tutor for The Robert Owen Group as a teacher trainer / supervisor, visiting schools all over the West Midlands. In 2012 I was fortunate to join The Elms, getting back to classroom teaching where my passion really lies.

Outside school, I love spending time with family and friends, enjoy renovating my home and still have a huge bucket list to tackle!

I enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the beautiful Isle of Man where I attended The Buchan School and King William’s College.  My time outside of school was predominantly spent singing, riding and running wild on the hills and beaches, although not always at the same time. I studied music at Royal Holloway, University of London, where I was also a choral scholar.  Upon graduating, I took up a post at the specialist music school, The Purcell School, where I worked as an Assistant Housemistress, Practise Supervisor and music theory tutor.  I moved to Tudor Hall in 2009 where I was Deputy Housemistress, taught music up to A Level and gained my PGCE.  It was here that my love for overseas expeditions began and I have since taken students on expedition to Morocco, Bolivia, Zambia and Botswana where we have trekked for days and completed community projects such as making bricks for school buildings and building greenhouses on the barren flats of La Paz.  I moved on to a large state secondary school, St George’s School, Harpenden, where I spent five fantastic years in the music department, as a form tutor and in charge of overseas expeditions.

Outside of education I have sung professionally, recorded for disc, radio and film soundtracks and toured with performers such as the tenor Russell Watson.  I have also launched wellbeing choirs for a cancer charity, directed church choirs and worked with youth choirs.

I have recently relocated to Herefordshire with my husband who is an opera singer.  When music isn’t taking centre stage I love riding, baking and exploring the countryside with our loveable labrador, Lyra.

I have worked in education since 1994. I began my teaching career at Warwick Preparatory School working with Year 1 pupils. I then moved to Birchfield Preparatory school for boys, teaching throughout the Key Stage 1 and Early Years departments. It was here that I participated in the full Prep school experience, even teaching rugby during Year 2 games sessions! I moved to Abberley Hall in 2004 with my two young daughters. I predominantly taught Reception and also held a number of management roles, including Head of Pre-prep for 8 years. During my time at Abberley I ran the School Holiday club programme which was available to all children between the ages of 3 – 13. My own girls have benefited from the wonderful Prep school experience at Abberley before moving onto Malvern St James. As they are now away at university, I have time to enjoy singing at festivals and local events as a member of a choir, running, reading and walking with Henry, my wire haired dachshund. I am very excited to be part of The Elms as it is such a charming and unique school.

I started teaching in 1990 as a History & Games teacher in a state secondary school in Hereford, so it’s a little like returning to my teaching roots joining the Elms!

I have worked in Prep schools since 2000 as a Head of Pastoral Care, Head of Year, Head of Humanities and as a humble History teacher. I have always been heavily involved in teaching Games and love nothing better than getting my boots on in the mud.

After many years playing rugby at a variety of levels I am now very much an arm chair fan of the Ospreys and Wales. Most of my spare time is taken up with our family and my baby granddaughter to whom I am ‘Bampi’.

I am very excited to become part of the Elms family in what will be an exciting future.

I was born in Leicestershire far too many years ago. I then lead the life of a nomad, living in Australia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Belgium and The Netherlands. I was educated in Kuwait and at various Prep and Boarding schools around England. I have lived in Herefordshire for the last 16 years and have been lucky enough to work in two charming schools, Pencombe Primary and now The Elms.

On leaving school I attended Eastbourne College of Food and Fashion. Following this, I studied at Cheltenham College of Art and then Plymouth College of Art and Design, where I attained a diploma in mixed media with metals.

My working life began in dress design, before moving into catering. In this field, I have worked in France, New Zealand, London and Herefordshire.

A husband and children changed things and in 2008 I began working at The Elms. Initially I helped in the Early Years and more recently I have become one of the Librarians and a Classroom Assistant. My two girls, Isabella and Evie, began their Elms lives in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

I am a true countrywoman at heart; born and raised in rural Herefordshire to a life of rural pursuits. My early years were idyllic, with a menu of ponies, Labradors and plenty of mud. My parents instilled in me traditional country values, a love of literature, music and home grown food. We have a menagerie of animals at home including sheep, chickens and ponies and I like nothing more than a day in the garden or a ride with the children by the river.

I have been teaching Geography since 2008 and I strive to inspire children to connect with the natural world around them. Prior to joining The Elms, I taught in a London prep school. I am a keen tennis player having also run a tennis school. Cricket is my other summer pursuit. I play for the MCC and I have been called on as a warm up bowler for international matches. I also enjoy shooting and the countryside having been brought up on a farm. I have a passion for geography, love of sport and character building in children. I have a wife called Caroline and three young children called Cleo, Levi and Tarka.

I grew up in County Durham, for those in the know it is indeed a hidden gem of the UK with incredible countryside, beaches and a few power stations thrown in for luck! We moved to Worcestershire in 2011 and immediately felt at home in the beautiful surroundings that the county has to offer. I have taught Classics at prep and senior and visited the Elms on many match days, marvelling at British Camp looking down on the site. Classics has long been a passion of mine, one I studied at University and I take great interest in dragging my family around various ancient locations on holiday. I strongly believe that Classics has its place in the classroom to aid how pupils think and learn and it also allows them to explore and marvel at the mythology and history that our society has grown from.
Outside of the classroom you’ll find me wandering the countryside with my spaniel (Bertie) and two small children (Beatrice and George). I’m a keen runner and have run multiple half marathons in the past few years. I bake for enjoyment and the staff may even benefit from a few sweet treats in the staffroom from time to time.

I grew up in Worcester, so I am delighted to have returned to the area after 30 years away, especially as my parents still live here. I attended Worcester Technical College, where I gained a love of the Malvern Hills through countless glorious Geology fieldwork trips to the locality. I then studied Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter and later completed my teacher training at what was Worcester College of Higher Education (while a gap student at a boarding school for dyslexic boys). Having developed a love of the boarding ethos, my first permanent post was Deputy Housemaster and Teacher of Science at a state boarding school in Surrey, based in the splendid Gatton Park. This role evolved into Head of Careers and Work-Related Learning and eventually led me into taking on the post of Head of Work-Related Learning at a state school in London, alongside a science teaching role. 

 A change of career direction took me to Lincolnshire, to Witham Hall Preparatory School, where I spent 19 happy years as Head of Science and Head of House. After a brief foray back to teaching secondary school Science, I could not resist the opportunity to join the Elms, returning to the sector and part of the world I love the best. 

I am joined by my wife, Ursula, and daughter Arabella, along with three dogs (two Shih Tzu and a somewhat larger rescued Romanian Sheepdog). We love exploring the countryside and British heritage.  

The first time I had the good fortune to step onto The Elms beautiful site was as a potential Director of Studies back in 1995 and within minutes I had realised there was something about the place that was utterly unique. It was possibly the sight of half a dozen children, carrying pieces of pig board, ushering a couple of Gloucester Old Spot pigs across a football pitch. The games lesson was still in progress but the players just ignored the porcine invasion as if it were just the norm! That was over 27 years ago and having taken up the role as Deputy Headmaster in the late ’90s, retired in the summer of 2020, returned to the school as a coach of Under 9 games, supply maths teacher and part-time minibus driver and more recently I have had the privilege and honour to be an interim Co-Head of the school whilst a new Head was found. Now Mr Lyddon has arrived, I have returned to work in the games department.

After studying at Davenant Foundation Grammar School, where I grew up, I followed an Art Foundation one year course which led me to study for my BA Hons Degree in WMCP (Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics) at Brighton University. I was lucky enough to stay in Brighton for a further year to complete my P.G.C.E. which enabled me to launch into my life long career in teaching.

Over the course of too many years to mention, I have worked in a variety of educational establishments, with a broad age range of children, in both the state and independent sector. This has enabled me to gain valuable knowledge and understanding of teaching approaches which I bring to my current role.

I took a break in my career to start my family and with my husband’s work we moved from Cambridgeshire to Herefordshire. We have spent nearly 20 years living and working in this beautiful area where I can indulge in my interests of gardening, walking and popping on a train to see amazing exhibitions held only a stone throw away.