In the Autumn Term of 2008 I joined Park Hill as Head of Nursery. Two years later, in September 2010, I was appointed Deputy Head and this is my first year as Headmistress following Gill Smith’s retirement.
Park Hill is known for its caring teachers. The enthusiasm of our staff is infectious! It quickly communicates itself to the children in our care, fostering a happy community in which we work, play and grow together
At Park Hill we believe that every child is blessed with many talents and that it is both our purpose and duty to uncover these and nurture them.
We have high expectations of our pupils and aim to produce happy, self-confident, articulate, literate and numerate children who are interested in the people and world around them. At the same time, we never lose sight of their ages and their right to a happy and fulfilling childhood; our pupils enjoy plenty of outdoor learning experiences as well as a variety of classroom based lessons and opportunities.
I believe that we offer a secure and happy environment in which all children feel enabled and valued. My two young sons are pupils here at Park Hill and they are both thriving in this family-centred school.

BA(QTS), Southampton

Prior to joining Park Hill School as the Year 1 form teacher in September 2010, I spent two years at Ibstock Place School teaching a Year One class.

I am passionate about the welfare and education of children. Central to my approach is my belief that every child has a differing approach to learning. I therefore work closely with each, offering positive re-enforcement and tailored learning which both supports and challenges their individuality.

My early career included a wide variety of teaching and learning based roles. Whilst at university I ran a voluntary after school play group for the National Pyramid Trust to support underpriviledged children. On completing my under graduate degree in Early Childhood Studies, I managed a Kindergarten class in Sydney, Australia before returning to London to work within event management and marketing to broaden my skills. Returning to my great passion, I then completed my PGCE Primary at Roehampton and have been very happily teaching ever since.

BSc (Hons) Bristol, PGCE Primary QTS Roehampton University.

My teaching career has spanned thirty years and in this time I have taught pupils from the ages of three to thirteen. Throughout this period, I have held a variety of posts enabling me to work with a broad spectrum of children.

I have worked in both the State and Private sector. This has enhanced my depth of experience and has required me to employ a variety of teaching techniques allowing me to deal with the many diverse situations which arise.

I strongly belive that a calm and positive ethos, firm but fair discipline, good organisation and approachability are the keys to successful, child-centred education. It is important for each child to feel secure, challenged, motivated and valued in order for them to reach their full potential.

Cert. Ed. (French and Education)

With over twenty years of teaching experience I have taught children of all ages and abilities, including special needs, but have worked mainly in Early Years teaching. I am passionate about Early Years education as I believe that having a proper grounding from a young age stands every child in good stead for their future academic achievements.

I joined the Early Years team at Park Hill School in 2009. My aim is to contribute to the nurturing and caring environment in all the Early Years classes at Park Hill. As a mother of four, I have a wealth of both professional and personal experience of child development. I believe in recognising that every child is an individual and that children should be encouraged to enact their individuality and to be curious and learn while ensuring they understand the boundaries of both a nursery and a school setting. I feel that my teaching experience and love of children fits in well with the ethos of Park Hill, where the chidren are the most important people.

B.Ed. Certificate in Education (1988)

In the Summer Term of 2002 I joined Park Hill. My belief is that children should be respected as individuals and nurtured in such a way that each one feels capable of achieving his/her best in every area of the curriculum. To do this, we provide guidance and make appropriate demands of the children both academically and socially.

BA majoring in English, a PGCE to teach 9-13 year olds, another to teach 5-9 year olds, with the additional qualification of a Nursery course. I have experience of teaching from Nursery through to Secondary level. While my own children were small, I worked as a childminder and in playgroups. These experiences have enriched my own practice.

Qualifications: BA (Natal), PGCE (Witwatersrand), PGCE (Kingston)

I joined Park Hill in September 1998 as a classroom assistant and playground supervisor. The following April I took over the role of school sports co-ordinator, being responsible for arranging all sports lessons and liaising with professional coaches for swimming, tennis and football lessons. Additional responsibilities include organising our annual Sports Day and arranging inter-school competitions in football, netball and kwick cricket.

In March 2002, I successfully completed an NVQ3 in Early Years Care and Education, which has enabled me to take a more active role in teaching the children from the years of three to five, in the Nursery and Kindergarten classes. My aim is to help the younger members to settle in and, later, to adapt to the formal school environment.

Since September 2008 I have also been working with Year 1 and Year 2 as a learning support assistant. I enjoy working in the classroom with a wider age range as well as encouraging a lively interest in sporting activities throughtout the school.

NVQ3

I am pleased to have recently joined the Early Years team at Park Hill School.

I graduated in 1993 with a BEd from Cairo University in Egypt. I worked in a number of schools in Egypt prior to moving to London in 2002.

My first job here was at St Matthew's Primary School where I was responsible for teaching the "ALS" in Key Stage 2. I then worked with children of different ages and abilities across the school in the past eight years.

As a mother of three, I feel that every child is a blessing and a gift from God. It is our job to value each child as an individual and help develop their skills in order to fulfil their own potential.

I also believe by praising everything positive the children do or say we can build their self esteem and boost their confidence to become independent and self reliant.

BEd (Hons)

I joined the Park Hill teaching team in September 2009. During this time I have taught in both Year 1 and Year 2 classes. I have also taught ICT lessons across all years groups.

My working career has been centred on children, initially with the preschool age range. Then when my own children were at school I completed a teaching degree. I have taught in both state and independent schools, where I have had the opportunity to take on many different roles. I have also taught across all primary age ranges and abilities, including pupils with special needs and gifted and talented children.

My belief is that the role of a teacher is to value each child as an individual providing lessons which engage and develop each child, aiming to help towards everyone achieving their full potential.

One of the pleasures of teaching at Park Hill School is the friendly, family atmosphere and the knowledge that one will quickly get to know each child in school by name.


BA (Hons) in Education with QTS

I am delighted to be working as an Early Years Classroom Assistant at Park Hill School.

After graduating in 2009 from Southampton University, with a BA Hons degree in Film Studies, I worked for several months for a range of film and television production companies to gain an insight into the industry. However, when the opportunity arose for me to travel to Japan to teach English to Japanese Kindergarten children, I jumped at the chance. I worked in Japan for eight months before the earthquake led me to return to England. I loved teaching in Japan and am now so pleased to be working with young chidren again.

Before training to be a teacher, I was an editor and writer of children's educational books and learning programmes.

My publishing background has given me a passion for storytelling, a practical appreciation of children's interests and an energetic approach to activity based learning and project work of all kinds. I very much believe in encouraging young children to think creatively, to colour their own experiences and to appeal to each other's imagination by providing them with plenty of opportunities to explore their own ideas and learn from each other.

Much of my working life has been spent abroad and so I make every effort to broaden children's awareness by using colourful examples from around the world to teach lessons for life. Above all, I aim to promote fun, warmth and humour in their work, play and conversation, so they will enjoy their learning and be curious to know more.

BA Hons in Political Theory, Sheffield University; QTS, Graduate Training Programme, Gloucestershire University.

I have worked at Park Hill since 1999 and am pleased to have had the opportunity to teach across the full age spectrum of the children at the school during that time.

Now I am class Teacher to Reception where my aim is to motivate the children to fulfil their potential both academically and socially through the building of their self esteem and self awareness.

As Art/Design Technology Co-ordinator, I endeavour to provide children with a stimulating and progressive programme which will promote new skills and an increasing knowledge of ways to tackle Design Technology challenges with growing confidence and originality.

BA (Hons), Graphic Design (Kingston), PGCE (OU)

In September 2009 I joined Park Hill while studying for my NVQ3. I have known the school since my youngest son started in 2000. He went on to Rokeby and has achieved an Art Scholarship to Epsom College. He has done very well and I attribute this to his early years at Park Hill.

I have always appreciated the fact that Park Hill provides a very supportive and nuturing environment for children and that parents are always welcome to discuss their child's progress as well as join in at many event organised by the school throughout the year.

I hope I will be able to help children become motivated and excited about their learning. Also to be able to build good relationships with others.

BS Fashion Merchandising and Retailing (USA), AS in Pattern making and design (New York), NVQ3 (Kingston)

Studying Psychology at Plymouth University introduced me to the idea of a career with children. I took a number of modules covering the physical and psychological development of infants and discovered it to be the most interesting part of my degree. During my second year of university I was selected to take part in the Students Associates Scheme which is a project run by the council to introduce graduates into working in schools. After training I was placed at Eggbuckland Vale Primary School for the summer term.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Eggbuckland and am thrilled to be joining the children and staff at Park Hill!

I originally trained and worked as a Registered General Nurse and then gained qualifications and experience in horticulture, gardening and childminding. My daughter attended Park Hill for six years, thriving in the supportive, nurturing environment provided by Park Hill’s exceptional, skilled and dedicated team. I subsequently joined the staff in 2007, developing my teaching role over the past five years, while extending my knowledge and expertise through further education.

These experiences have informed and enhanced my current practice and planning. I am a particularly keen advocate of outdoor provision and the often unique, holistic learning opportunities it affords. Furthermore, I firmly believe in the importance of communication between families and staff, to optimise the support for each individual.

Therefore, following a short break to focus on my own family, I am pleased and proud to be back at Park Hill, providing learning support in this unique and special setting.

Certificate in Early Years Practice (Open University)
Arts Foundation Degree with merit Early Years (Kingston)
BA (Hons) First Class Early Years Teaching (Kingston)
Registered General Nurse (UCH)

After working with the under 5s in private nursery settings, for twelve years, I felt it was time for a change. Therefore, I joined Park Hill in September 2008 as a Nursery teacher as I wanted to use my experience to help the children here in a fun, creative and inviting environment.

At the beginning of my childcare career I studied and passed the Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ in Childcare at the Tic Toc Nursery in Twickenham. Nine years later I joined Dolphin Nursery in Kingston and followed up my qualifications with Early Years SENCO training.

NVQ3, Early Years and Education.

My passion for working within the Early Years began seven years ago working with both Nursery and Reception aged children in an inner London state school. Following this, my career has led me to work
within management teams of two large day nurseries for children under five, improving conditions for both children and staff. Furthermore over the years, I have worked in a number of different and exciting settings including a Montessori School and Froebelian principle centre. All of these experiences have provided me with a diverse and practical knowledge which I aim to apply and bring to Park Hill.

Whilst at University I was fortunate to work with a number of influential figures within the Early Years field which has helped shape my beliefs and practice today. I strongly feel that children should be viewed holistically and that each child's interests, whatever they may be, are viewed as important and are praised and encouraged to develop. I think our Second Steps class encompasses
these values.

In September 2010 I became the Park Hill football coach which involves holding training sessions and matches for both the Early Years and
Upper school. I endeavour to develop good listening skills, promote positive self esteem and self confidence; all of which I feel are fundamental to sports. The dedication and skill shown by the children always amazes me, which makes the role even more enjoyable!

BTEC level three in Early Years with double distinction (Putney)
BA (hons) Early Childhood Studies (Roehampton)
L2CCF FA Coaching Award (Football Association)

My introduction to Park Hill School was in 1986, when my elder son started here at the age of four.

I trained as both a professional dancer and dance teacher at a school for dance and drama. I have danced in many musical productions and worked for Thames Television on several children's programmes.

It was during my son's early years at Park Hill that I was asked to stand-in for the Ballet teacher when she was sick; this I did and when she left I took over.

I believe that above all, dance should be enjoyed. It is also extremely beneficial to a child's physical and emotional development; helping to promote, amongst others, good posture and confidence.

In 1999, I qualified as a complementary therapist. I find that this knowledge enriches my teaching by giving me a further understanding of children's development.

At Park Hill I have taught Ballet, Modern Dance, Tap, Music & Movement and Drama. Over the years I have helped to produce numerous displays and productions.

The pupils at Park Hill never cease to amaze me; their all round understanding of music and public speaking gives me such excellent 'ingredients' to work with that my job is a complete pleasure! Having taught in a number of dance schools, I am able to compare the standards of Park Hill pupils to children who dance full time, and the Park Hill children come out on top!

ISTD, UTD, AAD, ITEC, Dip. Cariad

On leaving Ealing Grammar School for Girls I spent a year at Chiswick Polytechnic gaining various secretarial qualifications whilst also studying at the Rambert School of Ballet. From 1975-78, I studied singing and piano at the Royal College of Music (gaining an ARCM). After spending the summer studying and singing in Barga, Italy (I was also supposed to train with a coach at La Scala, but this was cancelled due to his tragic brain tumour), I spent a year in the Opera School of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (during which time I became the West of Scotland Ladies Fencing Champion, and also trained briefly with the Olympic sabre team!).

I spent a decade singing professionally - such roles as Susannah in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Rosina in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, the title role in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, Miss Wordsworth in ALBERT HERRING.... - around Britain (Sadler's Wells, Cannizaro Park, Holland Park, Edinburgh Festival...) and on the Continent (Batignano, etc.). At the same time, I worked for an opera agent, Music International.

I ‘retired’ to enjoy having a family, and have three, now-adult children. Initially I was encouraged into teaching by friends, for which I am eternally grateful. I teach singing, piano and theory privately, and many of my pupils stay with me for thirteen/fourteen years until they go on to University. One of my greatest pleasures is when pupils then return for lessons.

I have my own musical theatre/opera company, and am currently planning new sessions for babies upwards, involving musical development through singing and games.

In 1992 I joined the staff of Park Hill. I was so impressed with the school that my younger son joined the following year; he had a happy time here too. Later, he went on to Shrewsbury House, followed by St Paul's and Leeds University. My elder son went to St John's School, Leatherhead after Shrewsbury House, completed a year's scholarship at a University in America and obtained a degree in politics, also at Leeds. My husband is now retired and claims to look after me. He does the housework and cooking and we argue over the gardening!

After 19 years at Park Hill I have retired from regular work. I have been very lucky, teaching in every class and at all levels within the school. Now I am acting as a consultant to Park Hill whilst also enjoying retirement! I am delighted that Mrs Emma Carroll has been appointed Headmistress and shall support her, Mrs Christie and all the staff in every way I can.


BA Hons (Exeter) Politics and Sociology, PGCE (Surrey) IHSM