Where learning
is exciting
and fun

From a young age I loved school and this stayed with me throughout my whole school career ultimately ending in achieving a BSc in Early Childhood Studies at Bristol University. Here I worked at and visited a broad range of educational settings and I knew teaching would be for me! Immediately afterwards I trained as a Montessori teacher at the International Centre in London before then going on to gain Qualified Teacher Status. At Headington I am very fortunate to be in the midst of the magical early years department. Here the foundations for life are set and it couldn’t be a more exciting place to work. The department is a constant buzz of activity indoors and outdoors. It is a real joy to work with my fantastic colleagues alongside the children and their families as they begin their exciting educational journey. Out of school I enjoy being active, growing flowers and spending time with friends and family.

I joined Headington in April 2014 after about ten years at Dame Bradbury’s – a stand alone co-ed prep school in Essex. My background and experience had prepared me well with a degree in French and Geography, teaching qualification, the NPQH, a Masters in Educational Management, experience as a team inspector for ISI and as a governor at Felsted School.

As soon as I walked through the door I knew I wanted to work in the Prep School. There was such a strong sense of community with dedicated and dynamic staff. I could almost feel the excitement and energy in the air – and then I met the pupils and that was it. They were fabulous, engaging and fun loving with a great propensity to learn.  

A highlight of my week is preparing Friday assemblies with the Head Girls, looking at examples of the pupils’ learning over the previous week. I’m amazed at their creativity and their wide-ranging knowledge and skills.

In my free time, I grasp any opportunity to get out into the countryside and enjoy walking and spotting wildlife. Favourite places include the Chilterns and the North Norfolk coast. I’m a member of a local church and love to spend time scanning the shelves of books for tantalising new reads in some of the wonderful book shops in town.

Headington Prep is unlike any school I have taught in before; academic excellence is achieved in a wonderful atmosphere of happiness and an eagerness to learn.

I feel privileged to work with such a talented team of staff; a team bursting with innovative ideas and energy. This energy is reflected in the classroom by our brilliant pupils who really embrace learning.

I have a keen interest in equipping children with self-regulation strategies and a passion for lifelong learning, which became a key focus while studying for my masters degree.

I live in an Oxfordshire village and in my spare time am involved with the drama society who, I think, appreciate my varied theatrical skills, garnered from involvement with many (I’ve lost count) school plays and a youth spent on stage dancing.

I love gardening, walks in the surrounding nature, and problem solving my way through a sewing project. I also enjoy all that Oxford offers: theatre, museums, galleries and regularly attend St Ebbe’s Church.

Having grown up in South Africa, I completed my BA in English at the University of Cape Town, followed by a Higher Diploma in Primary Education. My career began at the International School of CT, teaching the British Curriculum, after which my husband and I moved to the UK. Once settled in Oxfordshire, I began working at Chandlings Manor where I spent seven happy years before moving to Headington Prep School in 2010. 

Headington has become my second family, where I have made lifelong friends and seen my daughter flourish as she has moved all the way through the School. My career has also progressed as I’ve been fortunate to develop the role of Deputy Head Pastoral, where I have contributed to achieving AS Tracking Accreditation as well as qualifying as a Mental Health First Aid instructor. 

I feel extremely blessed to work at a school in which children’s wellbeing is the priority and where my own parenting has benefited from the experiences I have gained. I enjoy spending my free time with my family and friends but also love reading, walking my dog (Dizzy) and pottering in the garden.

Having studied a BEd degree at the University of the West of England, I moved to Oxford to marry my husband and start my first teaching job.  

I thoroughly enjoy teaching pupils, particularly when you see a light bulb moment and pupils suddenly understand a new concept. Teaching at Headington is like having a second family where staff and pupils look out for each other, showing love and care.   

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and gardening and have a keen interest in birds. I am also actively involved with my local church.

Throughout my childhood, I liked nothing more than to ‘play schools’ with my three younger sisters and, of course, as the eldest, I was always in charge! When the time came for university, I found myself at Homerton College in Cambridge, enrolled in a four-year BEd degree. I loved my time in Cambridge and during my final teaching practice became convinced that teaching was the right career path for me. After graduating from Homerton and wanting to stay in Cambridge, I began teaching in the small market town of Saffron Walden in an outstanding state school. There I was privileged to learn from experienced and dedicated colleagues and became convinced of the importance of an enquiry-based approach to education and allowing children to steer their own learning. After working at the Perse School for Girls in Cambridge and then a break to have our three children, I was delighted to join Headington Prep and work with the fantastic staff team here. In my view, Key Stage 1 of a child’s education is the best phase to be a part of as we witness their independence flourish and opinions develop.